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Visiting International Research Students (VIRS) Program

The Visiting International Research Students (VIRS) program is designed for international students who are registered as full-time students in their home country and wish to visit the University of Guelph for a period of one to six months for training, research, or other experiential learning activities.

Program Overview

The VIRS program is arranged on a collegial basis and contributes to the student completing their research, training, or degree requirements at their home university. The program is not part of any existing formal University of Guelph degree program but is meant to facilitate the collegial sharing of expertise, mentoring, and supervision with students from abroad on a short-term visiting basis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the VIRS program, applicants must:

• Be registered as a full-time degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited post-secondary institution outside of Canada
• Have written permission from their home institution and acknowledgment that their proposed activities at the University of Guelph are an integral part of their academic program at home
• Be visiting for the primary purpose of participating in an experiential learning opportunity deemed relevant to their home institution degree
• Have written acknowledgment from a University of Guelph regular graduate faculty member agreeing to act as their academic supervisor for the duration of their stay
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements as set out by the hosting department at the University of Guelph
• Be visiting the University of Guelph for a period of one month to a maximum of six months
• Have appropriate funding to cover costs for the duration of their stay and be eligible to enter Canada as per Citizenship and Immigration Canada requirements

Program Requirements

• VIRS students are required to register for the course "Experiential Learning for Visiting International Research Students" through the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) and pay the applicable fees
• VIRS students are not eligible for on-campus housing, but may apply for summer hostel accommodation if arriving between May and August
• VIRS students are required to pay an application fee of $200 and an additional $85/month for services, including mandatory health insurance, I.D. card, and library access

Program Details

• The VIRS program is designed for students who are visiting the University of Guelph for a short-term period and are not part of any existing formal degree program
• The program is meant to facilitate the collegial sharing of expertise, mentoring, and supervision with students from abroad
• VIRS students are required to have a faculty supervisor and must meet the English language proficiency requirements as set out by the hosting department
• The program is available for a period of one month to a maximum of six months, and students are required to have appropriate funding to cover costs for the duration of their stay

Fees and Funding

• VIRS students are required to pay an application fee of $200, which is non-refundable regardless of whether their visa for Canada is denied
• VIRS students are also required to pay an additional $85/month for services, including mandatory health insurance, I.D. card, and library access
• The $85/month fee may be refunded if the student's visa is denied
• Students are required to have appropriate funding to cover costs for the duration of their stay and be eligible to enter Canada as per Citizenship and Immigration Canada requirements

Accommodation

• VIRS students are not normally eligible for on-campus housing, but may apply for summer hostel accommodation if arriving between May and August
• Students are required to find off-campus accommodation, and it is suggested that they begin searching for housing well in advance of arriving in Canada
• Resources for finding off-campus accommodation, including Places4students.com, are available to students.