About VIRS as a pathway to UBC
Should I come to UBC as a VIRS (Visiting International Research student)?
Review the VIRS Eligibility.
Your program, pathways and contacts at UBC all depend on a crucial distinction of whether you plan to come to UBC to do Salaried Research (as an employee) or whether the research is part of your educational program requirement (as a student).
Use the first two levels of the chart to determine the right path to follow. Follow the column of information straight down to understand what each pathway entails.
Helpful acronyms
- LMIA - Labour Market Impact Assessment
- IRCC - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
Related links (Non VIRS)
- Visiting students (VISI): for bachelor (undergraduate) students who want to research and take courses at UBC as a student
- Visiting Graduate Students
Preparing to arrive
How do I prepare to arrive?
Review the rest of this website.
Download:
Check out these resources:
Immigration documents
What immigration document should I apply for as a VIRS student?
The Visiting International Research Student Program (VIRS) is considered full-time studies for which accepted students will be engaged in research under the supervision of a UBC faculty member. Furthermore, the research a student will engage in forms a student-institution relationship and not an employment relationship with UBC.
The type of immigration document is dependent on the length of research you are approved for as part of your VIRS application.
If your research is less than six months, you may complete your research under visitor status for which you will need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your country of citizenship.
If your research period is six months or longer in length, VIRS students must apply for a study permit, as required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please see tutorial for how to apply for your study permit.
Note, you cannot begin your research without appropriate immigration documents and legal status.
Questions regarding immigration documents should be directed to International Student Advising at isa@students.ubc.ca. Please identify yourself as a VIRS student, include your UBC ID number, your country of citizenship and the length of time of your VIRS studies.
What is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?
A Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required to enter Canada as a visitor. Depending on your country of citizenship/nationality, you will either need a TRV or eTA but not both.
You can find out which document you need by visiting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s website.
If you are applying for a study permit, you do not need to apply separately for a TRV or eTA.
How do I apply for a study permit?
Once you are accepted as a VIRS student, you can apply for a study permit. An initial study permit application must be made outside of Canada to the visa office responsible for your country of citizenship or the country in which you are currently residing.
Please see our tutorial for detailed steps on how to apply for your study permit.
If your study permit application is approved, you will be issued a Letter of Introduction which you will present to the border officer when entering Canada so that they can issue you your study permit.
You must have a valid study permit before you can begin your research at UBC under the Visiting International Research Students program (VIRS).
What if I am refused for my visa or study permit?
If you are refused by Canadian immigration, please contact Go Global immediately and we will work with immigration advisors to review your case and inform you of your options.
Housing
Are VIRS students eligible for campus housing (residence)?
No, VIRS students are not eligible for UBC Housing (on-campus dormitories).
VIRS students are responsible for finding their own accommodations.
Learn more about finding housing here:
Medical Insurance
What kind of medical insurance plan will I have?
You are automatically enrolled in the mandatory iMed temporary health insurance plan. You will be charged for the first three months upon VIRS registration (if your research period is six months or longer) or for the duration of your study period (if your research is less than six months). This fee is separate from and additional to your VIRS program fee. If you need additional coverage, you are responsible for extending coverage.
If your research period is longer than six months, you must apply for the BC Medical Insurance Plan (MSP). You may apply for this plan as soon as you arrive in BC.
What does iMED cover?
iMED Is basic insurance coverage for your time at UBC. It covers doctors visits, most emergencies, some medications and other services. Please review the iMED brochure on the DCIS website.
I received my iMED card but the dates on it are wrong.
This is normal, but you will need to apply for a "Date Change" with the insurance company DCIS. Complete and submit the iMED Date Change Form after arriving in Canada.
The automatic iMED coverage dates coincide with a standard academic term at UBC as follows:
- August 1 for Winter Session Term 1 (September – December)
- December 1 for Winter Session Term 2 (January – April)
- April 1 for Summer Session Term 1 (May – June)
- June 1 for Summer Session Term 2 (July – August)
Most students' research dates are not aligned with UBC's academic terms, therefore most students will need to request to have their coverage dates updated.
I have not received my iMED card.
Students get their cards at different times but should have arrived by email before you arrive at UBC. If you have paid your iMED fee and you have not received your card before you arrive in Canada, please
- Search "DCIS" in your email
- check your SPAM/Junk Folder
- contact imed@david-cummings.com and go.global@ubc.ca. Include your name and UBC ID number. We will check your status.
Money, Fees and Working
What are the costs associated with VIRS?
There are two fees: the VIRS Program Fee and IMED Medical Insurance. See our VIRS Fee page for more information.
VIRS students are not charged UBC tuition.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Vancouver. When applying for a visa or study permit you may be required to verify your funding to Canadian immigration. The cost of living is high in Vancouver. We recommend budgeting at least $2000 per month for housing, food and local transportation.
See more about planning your budget.
I received an email saying I have "Overdue Fees" on my UBC tuition account
These fees are most likely your iMED medical insurance fees which you are required to pay by the stated deadline.
VIRS students do not pay tuition, but the iMED fees are charged on the tuition account.
Can I work while I am a VIRS student?
VIRS students may not have an employment relationship with UBC related to their research activity.
As a VIRS student, you are considered full time for immigration purposes (see UBC definitions for immigration purposes).
You are eligible to work on-campus in jobs not related to your research if you are full time (see above) and have a valid study permit. Please note that you are only eligible to work during the dates you are a VIRS student.
You are not eligible to work off-campus as you are not enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate at UBC.
Please visit the International Student Guide for an overview of working in Canada and obtaining a Social Insurance Number.
If I have been granted a scholarship that exceeds my research period for more than 12 months, can I be admitted for the entire sponsored research period?
We request that you provide a copy of the scholarship document to UBC Go Global along with your VIRS application form. If accepted, your Letter of Acceptance will reflect the actual length of your visit to support your study permit application. However, each VIRS registration is effective for a maximum of one year, therefore you must apply for a renewal of the VIRS registration and pay the renewal fee by the end of the first year of your visit.
What type of funding is available to VIRS students?
VIRS students are usually self-funded, sponsored by his/her home institution, or receive funding from an external source. Your UBC faculty member may agree to provide a reimbursement or an award for some of your expenses from UBC, however this decision is at the discretion of your UBC faculty member who has agreed to act as your host supervisor, as well as the department with which your host supervisor is affiliated.
UBC professors who would like to provide funding to your VIRS student, please contact Go Global to discuss your options.
Records of study and Courses
Will my research activities be shown on a UBC transcript?
Yes, your non-credit and non-tuition bearing course that reflects your academic level at your home institution (i.e.. Undergraduate, Masters, or PhD) will appear on the student’s transcript. You may order official transcripts online or in person.
Can I take courses while at UBC?
No, you cannot formally register for or audit courses. If you wish to audit or take courses, you must apply to become a visiting undergraduate or graduate student. Upon admission into the Visiting undergraduate or graduate student pathway, you will lose your VIRS status, but can still continue with your research activities if agreed upon by your UBC Supervisor.
VIRS students may attend and participate informally in a class with the permission of the instructor. We recommend including a written letter from your host supervisor recommending access to the course. Please note that approval from the instructor is not guaranteed, and the final decision is solely at the discretion of the instructor. VIRS students will not receive a grade, transcript or any other formal recognition for informal participation in a course.
VIRS students may be given guest/auditor access to Canvas course materials. The instructor of the course would contact the appropriate local Canvas Administrator to request access for the student (including the course name/number, the student’s ID number and CWL login ID).
Student Services at UBC
How do I access UBC's Secure Wireless Network?
All VIRS students should be able to access the Secure Network on their laptops and smart phones while at on campus.
You will have to set this up using the AutoConnect application online. See the steps on the UBC IT website. You will use your UBC Campus-Wide Login (CWL) and password to access the network.
Am I eligible for the U-Pass?
No, you are not eligible as no tuition or AMS fees are assessed upon VIRS registration. The U-Pass offers UBC students unlimited access to public transportation across the Metro Vancouver area.
How do I access the UBC Libraries?
VIRS students can access library resources online by logging in with your Campus-Wide Login (CWL).
Your UBC Card will act as your library card to borrow materials.
Recreation and Sports
UBC has excellent recreation facilities. Learn more online:
VIRS students pay the public or staff rates for these facilities. Unfortunately, VIRS students do not qualify for the student rates.
The most accessible activities will be drop-in sports and fitness classes.
We also recommend using public services through the Vancouver Park Board Community Centres. There are recreation activities in every neighbourhood in Vancouver.
Extending your VIRS Registration
After I've arrived, may I extend my VIRS studies at UBC?
Yes, if your host professor agrees to continue supervision during the extension period, and if you remain enrolled at your home university, you may request an extension by contacting Go Global. We will ask you to complete an Extension Request Form. If your extension is approved, we will provide you with a Letter of Extension which you may use to extend your Canadian study permit or visa, if necessary.
VIRS students are charged the $415 program fee once per 12-month period.
If your extension increases the total length of your stay at UBC to more than 12 months, you will be charged the fee for the extension.
