Letter of Invitation

To facilitate smooth entry into Canada, international academic visitors (including interviewees for academic positions) will require a letter of invitation appropriate to their immigration category in addition to valid travel documents.

Please review the requirements for visas, eTA and work permits under "Entry into Canada Requirements".

Steps for inviting your academic visitor:

  • Review& the immigration categories below and choose the appropriate CIC category
  • Choose the appropriate sample letter template
  • In your letter, use the immigration category name exactly as provided in the table below.
  • Be sure to inform your visitor of the requirement to apply for a work permit and/or visa as applicable.
  • UHIP Health Coverage is mandatory for stays of 3 weeks and longer
Determine the academic visitor's Immigration category Queen's Letter of invitation must contain: Documentation foreign visitor must show at border or use for work permit application

Visitor

  • short term visit, may need a Temporary Resident Visa or eTA depending on country of citizenship
  • this category applies to individuals invited for an interview
  • hosts name, title, contact information in case CBSA/IRCC needs to make contact
  • reason for the invitation (interview)
  • full name of the person being invited
  • intended duration of stay
  • statement specifying who will be responsible for travel expenses

Researcher visiting for maximum of 120 days

  • applicant has a significant role to play or value to add to the research project
  • demonstrated academic excellence or expertise in the field related in the work to be undertaken
  • position reflects the experience an expertise of the applicant and the role they will play in the project
  • must be outside of Canada, non-renewable, can only be used once a year
  • Name, address, position of guest
  • nature and location of research work
  • intended length of stay
  • arrangements for remuneration, if any
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible
  • proof of citizenship
  • Visa or eTA as required
  • letter of invitation 
  • NOTE: If the person is to be paid, they must ask for a Visitor Record when entering Canada. This document will enable them to apply for a SIN so that they can be paid by the university.

Guest Lecturer

  • invited to give a series of lectures
  • occupies a temporary position for less than one academic term
  • does not need to be a professor
  • Name, address, position of guest lecturer
  • purpose of the trip
  • nature and location of lecturing
  • intended length of stay
  • evidence that period of stay is less than one academic term
  • arrangements for remuneration, if any
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible

Visiting Professor

  • coming for a period of no more than two academic years
  • retains position abroad
  • Name, address, position of guest
  • offer of a position as "Visiting Professor"
  • nature and location of position
  • intended length of stay
  • arrangements for remuneration, if any
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible

Research Award Recipient

  • the direct recipient of an academic research award paid by an Canadian academic institution or a foreign source (China Scholarship Council, etc)
  • Name, address, position of guest
  • nature and location of intended work/research
  • intended length of stay
  • letter of award containing name of individual and description of award
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible

Academic Consultant

  • appraises or evaluates academic programs, including videos
  • provides consultation strictly on academic matters
  • advises on the appropriateness of hiring a dean for a faculty
  • Name, address, position of guest 
  • purpose of the trip
  • intended length of stay
  • arrangements for remuneration and intention to reimburse expenses
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible

Academic Examiner

  • an eminent individual who directs the studies and reviews work done by scholars
  • reviews thesis and papers prepared by those scholars
  • Name, address, position of guest
  • purpose of the trip
  • intended length of stay
  • arrangements for remuneration and intention to reimburse expenses
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible

Public/Guest/Speaker

  • addresses a particular convention, graduation, dinner or similar function
  • delivers a paper during a seminar, workshop or other related teaching or research activity
  • commercial speaker who sells tickets

NOTE seminar or speaking engagement must not last longer than five days

  • Name, address, position of guest 
  • purpose of the trip
  • intended length of stay
  • arrangements for remuneration and intention to reimburse expenses
  • Name, address, position of host, include a business card if possible

Self-Funded Researcher

  • conducting research in their field of study
  • autonomous funding other than a research award
  • no displacement of Canadian workers
  • no employer/employee relationship with Queen's
  • no remuneration to researcher or university for the research
  • visiting for 6 months or less
  • Name, address, position of guest 
  • purpose of the trip
  • intended length of stay
  • source of funding
  • statement of no employer/employee relationship
  • Name, address, position of host