The Visiting Professionals and Scholars (VPS) program provides academic and professional development opportunities for international visitors that are mutually beneficial to the individual, their home institution, and the University of Regina.  Our goal is to contribute to the University of Regina's international mission through the exchange of research, scholarship, and education.  The VPS program offers opportunities for interested candidates under one of the following categories: visiting professors, visiting researchers or visiting artists.

For an individual to be eligible for the Visiting Professionals and Scholars program, they must:

• Hold a Doctoral degree, or equivalent (if coming as a Visiting Professor)
• Be a current faculty or staff member at an accredited institution, organization, or government body
• Have connected with a Faculty Host at the University of Regina who has agreed to host them for the duration of their research visit
• Be on approved leave from their position
• Have funding from one of the following sources: their home institution, an official scholarship- or grant- awarding body, or an agreement with the Faculty Host
  Visiting Professionals and Scholars program candidates cannot be self-funded.

The program fees for the Visiting Professionals and Scholars program are as follows:

• For visits that are up to 120-days in length: $400 CAD
• For visits longer than 120-days, up to one (1) year in length: $600 CAD
• For extension of a visit for up to one (1) year: $400 CAD

Prior to application, all potential Visiting Research Students must identify an accredited University of Regina faculty member willing to be their host supervisor to take part in our programs.  Please explore our Faculties and Academic Units and contact the person(s) or department(s) which share your research interests.  Please note that UR International does not match prospective Visiting Research students with host supervisors.

We are happy to help make research visits to the University of Regina possible, but we do so in adherence to Global Affairs Canada's policies regarding Sensitive Technology Research Areas and Affiliations of Concern.

Applicants to our Visiting Student Research programs must declare no affiliation with either:

• Sensitive Technology Research Areas
• Affiliations of Concern (Named Research Organizations)

To support responsible international research collaboration and ensure alignment with federal research security guidance, visiting research students, scholars, and researchers may be subject to a research security review. This review helps the University of Regina conduct appropriate due-diligence checks related to visiting individuals, their affiliated institutions, and proposed research activities. The process is intended to safeguard institutional research, intellectual property, and sensitive technologies while continuing to support open, safe, and productive global partnerships.

Should you have any questions or concerns about these Government of Canada policies, please contact us at global.mobility@uregina.ca.

To begin the process of inviting a visiting researcher, professor, or research student to the University of Regina, please email Global.Mobility@uregina.ca with the following documents from the prospective visitor. Once received, these materials will be forwarded to the Dean for pre-approval. Upon approval, the official application process may proceed.

• Research plan
• Updated curriculum vitae (CV)
• Funding confirmation letter

Visiting Research Students and Visiting Scholars are considered “workers” under Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  They are required to apply for a work permit in order to begin their placement here at University of Regina.

• Visiting Research Students, Visiting Professors, or Visiting Researchers whose research stay is less than 120 days may be eligible for a work permit exemption under the International Mobility Program (Public Policy). Eligible visitors must still obtain a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Visitor Visa, depending on their country of citizenship, in order to enter Canada.
• Visitors whose research visit is more than 120 days will require a valid work permit before they enter Canada. The Study Abroad and Global Mobility office will provide further instructions on how to obtain a work permit at time of acceptance.