IVRT updates

1.  Contact a Faculty member who is willing to host and supervise you during your visit as an IVRT to York University;
2.  Obtain a signed IVRT invitation letter from the inviting Faculty member;
3. Submit a completed IVRT application to York International via email to iadvisor@york.ca.

A complete IVRT application includes:

• IVRT Application Form
• Proof of full time enrolment from home institution
• Proof of English proficiency from home institution, AND
• IVRT Invitation letter from the inviting faculty (please use the template provided).

Tips to avoid delay:

• Documents issued from home institution in other language should be translated in English.
• The IVRT application and invitation letter must be completed with ALL required signatures.
• IVRT application can’t be finalized until you obtain a valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You should start the preparation of the IVRT and work permit application at least 3 months prior to your visit at York University.

As an IVRT, you are required to apply for a work permit whether you are paid or not.
1) Step for the inviting faculty - Offer of Employment & Employer's Compliance Fee to IRCC
Before you can apply for your work permit, your inviting faculty at York U (the employer) must submit an
Offer of Employment and pay a compliance fee CAD$230 via the electronic portal via the IRCC website,
and receive an employer ID number upon completion. You will have to include this number into your
work permit application. For each faculty at York there is a designated administrative support person for
this task. Please click here for the list of designated persons for each faculty. Your inviting faculty
member can connect with the designated person directly for submission of the offer of employment and
compliance fee.
2) Step for IVRT - Work Permit Application
Apply for a work permit at your local Canadian visa office/embassy or Visa Application Center (VAC).
- Click here to find out to which visa office you could submit your work permit application.
- Click here for more information about work permit application.
Don’t forget to include the employer ID number in your work permit application.

IMPORTANT:

• IVRTs arriving in Canada without valid immigration documentation may NOT be allowed to enter
  the country. Please ensure that you comply with the work permit requirement set out by IRCC.
• Submitting a work permit application does not guarantee issuance of a work permit. The Canadian visa office/embassy/high commission overseas is the only authority that makes decision on the application.

You, the IVRT, should connect with York International within 2 days upon your arrival to:

• Obtain your official York admission letter
• Register for health insurance (UHIP) for yourself and your accompanying dependents (if applicable)

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For application details please refer to: yorkinternational.yorku.ca/international-visiting-
research-trainee/

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IVRT applications usually take 4-6 weeks to process. It is recommended that you submit the
IVRT application 2-3 months prior to your visit at York University to avoid delay.

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1.  International Visiting Research Trainee Form
2.  Letter of Invitation to be completed by inviting faculty
3.  Proof of Full Time Enrolment – letter issued by your home institution confirming your
   enrollment. This letter should be issued in either English or French, printed on official
   letterhead, and dated within the last six months.
4.  Proof of English Proficiency – letter issued by your home institution confirming that your
   English ability is sufficient for your visit at York University. This letter should be issued in
   either English or French, printed on official letterhead, and dated within the last six
   months. An official language test (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS) result is also acceptable.

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Submit all completed documents to the Immigration Specialist at York International via
iadvisor@yorku.ca

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Once all required documents are submitted, it typically takes 4-6 weeks of receipt of a
complete application for the application to be processed.

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According to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada regulations, foreign nationals
who are performing activities in the definition of work must apply for a work permit. Please
contact your local Canadian visa office or embassy to confirm the necessity for a Work
Permit before applying. Please note that entering Canada without proper immigration
documentation may result in immediate deportation.

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IVRTs will not be enrolled in any classes during their visit at York U, and therefore a Study
Permit would NOT be applicable.

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1.  York International provides assistance and answers questions that you may have about
   coming to York University as an International Visiting Research Trainee.
2. York International connects with hosting faculty members and faculty executives to
   facilitate the IVRT application.
3. York International connects with hosting faculty members and faculty executives to provide assistance in IVRT’s work permit application.
4. York International contacts IRCC for updated immigration requirements for IVRTs.
5. York International administers enrolment in the University Health Insurance Plan

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The Administrative is charged to cover the costs of processing the
IVRT application as well as the support provided during the application process.

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Supplementary Fees are charged to everyone who holds a York ID number at the
University. This fee and the student number allow access to a number of campus resources.

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Due to liabilities, the University is required to ensure that all non-Canadian students and
visitors enroll in an approved insurance plan. The University Health Insurance Plan provides
better coverage than most temporary insurance plans.

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No. UHIP is mandatory for IVRTs. If you are an IVRT at York University then you will be
required to sign up for UHIP.

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1.  For on campus housing options refer to: studenthousing.info.yorku.ca/yorkapts/
2.  For off campus housing options there are a variety of websites that cater to short term housing. Refer to: www.places4students.com/ (note that this is a recommendation and not the only option available).
3.  For other general information on accommodation refer to
   relocation.info.yorku.ca/accommodation/

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Once you receive your York ID number, you can obtain your YU Card at 200 William Small
Centre. Your YU Card allows you access to various facilities on campus. For more
information on the YU Card refer to: yucard.info.yorku.ca/

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You primary contact during your stay at York University is the hosting faculty member who
invited you to York University.

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If you apply through York International, you can assist the student to come to York University
as an International Visiting Research Trainee. Refer to the following link for details:
yorkinternational.yorku.ca/international-visiting- research-trainee/

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York International is the central office at York University for international students,
scholars and visitors and is therefore required to keep track of all incoming international
students, scholars and visitors for possible reporting to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC). This process includes associated fees that have been approved by the
Provost Office.

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The protocols regarding who should sign the related application documents were approved
by the Provost Office as part of the creation of IVRT requirements.

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Using the template invitation letter helps ensure that all the details about roles and
responsibilities of both the hosting faculty and the IVRT participant are delivered. The
protocols regarding the Letter of Invitation were approved by the Provost Office as part of the
creation of IVRT requirements.

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The hosting faculty will need to submit an Offer of Employment and to pay a Compliance fee
(CAD$230) to IRCC in order to support the work permit application of the IVRT. The hosting
faculty member should contact the designated person in your faculty (as per the table below)
who has the access to the IRCC portal for the submission of the Offer of Employment and the
Compliance fee.

Faculty	Contact
AMPD	Loredana Infusini
Education	TBD
Environmental Studies	Paul Elliott
Glendon	Chantal Lishingman
Graduate Studies	Kim Mclntyre
Health	Andrea England
Lassonde School of Engineering	Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers
LA&PS	Aya Javid
LA&PS Research Support	Pat Ellis
Osgoode Hall Law School	TBD
Schulich School of Business	Franca Giovannoni
Science – Physics and Astronomy	Marlene Caplan
Science – Chemistry	Mary Mamais
Science – Biology	Patty Lindsay
Science – Maths and Stats	Ann-Marie Carless
Science – Science & Tech Studies	Libi Lancia
ORU – Chemisty & Mass Spectrometry	Nicole Chevannes-McGregor
Libraries	TBD

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Faculties that are covering the fees for IVRT participants have to provide Account number,
Budget fund number and Cost Center number on the IVRT application form. These fees will
later be charged to the account provided by the faculties.