Frequently Asked Questions

University of Alberta International Student + Visitor Services is pleased to help facilitate the research stays of hundreds of inbound visiting international student research internship participants each year, through select externally- and internally-funded programs.

Please note that research internship participants must be a current student at their home university outside of Canada, and actively working towards a higher education degree program. The relevant information for anyone who falls outside of these criteria, including current students at Canadian universities, can be found at Visitors to the University.

If you are a current University of Alberta student interested in exploring internship experiences outside Canada, please contact Kirsten Franks, the International Outbound Internships Coordinator in Global Learning, via goabroad@ualberta.ca!

Please click on the plus sign beside each question below in order to expand the answer. 

What type of campus registration and settlement services are offered for research internship participants?

University of Alberta International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) team provides research internship participants whose stays are coordinated through one of our affiliated programs with full support before, during, and after their placement.

Please note that self-funded or independently-arranged academic visitors are not administered or invited by ISVS, and should consult this website for further guidance.

Each research internship participant whose stay is coordinated by ISVS is offered the following:

  • Coordination of immigration processes and documents, including the Foreign Visitor Category Assessment (FVCA) and/or Contract/Invitation Letter as necessary
  • 'Guest' (Academic Visitor) CCID and ONEcard; please note, research interns are NOT considered Staff nor Students while at U of A 
  • Academic Visitor liability waiver form processed in-person at the International Service Centre
  • Person of Interest (POI) processing for campus registration
  • In-person intern orientation and settlement services such as group welcome session and optional campus tour
  • Professional development seminars and academic networking opportunities
  • An opportunity to present at a research symposium*

*Typically offered in mid-March, mid-late July, mid-late August, and early December

Interns may have the option to participate in the following seasonal activities:

How can international students participate in a research internship or get invited as an academic visitor?

University of Alberta International Student and Visitor Services coordinates research internships for visiting international students who are sponsored by the following programs/funding agencies:

Due to capacity and resources, the Inbound International Internship Coordinator collects research projects from U of A faculty members who are willing and able to host and mentor visiting researchers only through some specific programs. Examples include UARE and CSC-funded research internships. Student applicants then apply directly to the specific research project(s) during specific application periods by following the How to Apply steps for that program. 

For other programs, applicants may be responsible for finding a suitable research supervisor, and then the Coordinator assists with all processes after that. This is the case for research internship programs such as Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships (ELAP; SEED; SICS) or the University of Alberta-RWTH Aachen Junior Research Fellowship. Research projects are not centrally collected and applicants must independently initiate finding an appropriate placement. These still have deadlines each year.

If none of the above options are a viable option based on eligibility, timing, or other factors, you may independently pursue a research stay with a U of A host professor if you will be self-funded or have external funding. A kind clarification that any next steps do not involve the Internship Coordinator or ISVS, as you must be directly invited by the host professor or their department. Please consult information for Foreign Visitors to the University of Alberta.

What immigration type, such as visitor visa or work permit, do interns need to enter Canada?

While each situation is different and visitor may be advised differently depending on their individual circumstances and IRCC processing times, generally speaking, visiting international students participating in an ISVS-administered research internship typically enter Canada via one or more of the following categories in order to primarily perform research work as a temporary resident:

Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada

Please note that none of the above options are study permits. Do not apply for a study permit, as academic visitors performing research are not coming to Canada to enroll in courses or participate in a study exchange for credit. No academic transcript will be issued.

As per IRCC, international student visitors entering Canada to work performing research through the specific programs in this portfolio are not able to study or enroll in any courses at any education institutions, not even to audit.

All research internship placements are intended to be a consecutive stay for the entire duration listed on your Contract/Invitation Letter. 

Word of caution—if you are entering Canada through the Global Skills Strategy 120-day Work Permit Exemption program, please do not automatically assume that you can enter Canada, leave Canada, and then re-enter Canada. It is a special program with specific rules. If you have been selected as a participant and you know well ahead of your confirmed research stay that you plan to enter Canada, leave Canada briefly for any reason, and then re-enter Canada to resume your research internship, please follow the instructions below to seek professional immigration guidance on an exceptional case-by-case basis before making inflexible plans of this nature, as they may or may not be allowed by IRCC. 

For selected research internship participants seeking advice about any immigration-related questions, please contact the Staff Service Centre with “Immigration - Academic Visitor” in the ‘What do you need help with?’ subject line. The Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) in U of A's HR Immigration Services unit are best positioned to answer these inquiries. Please be patient, as it may take 1-4 business days on average to receive a reply after you send an inquiry. 

Research interns offered a placement through an ISVS-coordinated research internship will be provided with more specific information and guidance at the time of invitation, as immigration policies and procedures are subject to change. 

As a University of Alberta Faculty member, how can I invite a visiting researcher?

International Student + Visitor Services (ISVS) facilitates the immigration invitation process and campus registration for research interns coming only through the affiliated programs we administer, such as UARE, Mitacs GRI, ELAP, etc. Please review the answer to FAQ point 2 for a full list of the programs. 

Should you be interested in hosting a research intern whose stay is not directly facilitated by ISVS, please refer to the information regarding inviting international visitors (academic visitors) to campus. In this scenario, all immigration/invitation and/or campus registration processes are then independently arranged by the faculty member and/or department, not ISVS staff. General information and guidance is provided below. 

Yourself or someone from the department may need to complete the Foreign Visitor Category Assessment (FVCA), which will be reviewed by our U of A HR Immigration Services colleagues. The visiting researcher(s) will need to provide some personal information to you such as their passport number, citizenship, date of birth, so that the FVCA can be completed.

HR Immigration Services advisors can be reached via the Staff Service Centre if you have questions about this process before starting the FVCA. Submit an inquiry with the word "Immigration—Academic Visitors" in the subject line and share as many details as you have about the prospective visiting researcher.

After the invitation process is complete and once the visiting international student has arrived in Canada to perform research with you or in your department, our team at International Student + Visitor Services (ISVS) would be pleased to invite the academic visitor to a new intern orientation or any other ISVS Programs + Events they may be interested in, as space permits. In order to facilitate this, around their start date, please have the visitor(s) send intern[@]ualberta.ca an email from their University of Alberta email address with the dates of when they will be here so that we can invite them. They can also sign up for our newsletter.

While our fellow U of A colleagues in HR Immigration Services are the best resource for initiating the visa/immigration process through the above-mentioned channels, please do not hesitate to reach out if our office may be able to assist with welcoming or settlement services after the visiting researcher's arrival.

How can I find a research project or University of Alberta Host Professor?

In order for you to find an appropriate/suitable research project with a host professor/supervisor/mentor at University of Alberta as a prospective academic visitor, please visit our Colleges & Faculties webpage. From there, click on the webpage of the academic faculties you are interested in to view a list of our professors and their research areas.

Alternatively, you can also search for anyone whose job Title includes 'Professor' in the Advanced Search of U of A Directory.

You may also wish to consult this list of Successful [Research] Grants or Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects.

Your next step is for you to reach out to the University of Alberta faculty member directly via email. When contacting University of Alberta host professors via email, they may find it helpful for you to include:

  • your full name and contact information
  • your home university and home country
  • whether you are currently an undergraduate (bachelor) or graduate (master or doctoral) student
  • current year of your academic program and/or number of semesters completed vs. remaining
  • anticipated date (month/year) of graduation
  • how you expect to fund your research stay (ex. funding from your home university or other sources; a scholarship you have already received; a scholarship that you plan to apply for but need someone to agree to supervise you first, etc.)
  • a website link to the program you expect to fund your research stay with, or will be applying to
  • your research background and academic interests, and how they align with the chosen host professor's
  • whose research project you plan to work on (yours, theirs, or both?)
  • desired length of program (how long you wish to stay to do research), including your ideal start & end date and/or which specific months you are available, or how flexible you can be
  • your academic goals or anticipated outcomes based on the research visit (i.e., do you aim to co-author a published article, or wish to get trained in using a special piece of equipment that is uniquely available at University of Alberta?)
  • documents such as your CV/resume, transcripts, or relevant academic history

Please allow 4-6 business days for a response to your email (read: please do not count Saturday or Sunday or our statutory holidays) before following up or resending, as professors receive many requests.

It is a good idea to start by reaching out to two or three potential host professors in your field. Your odds naturally decrease if you only reach out to one professor. Please respect if someone tells you that the timing does not work for them, or that your research strengths are not a good fit for their projects. 

What level of English proficiency should research interns have in order to participate?

In order to effectively perform research, visiting international student participants must have proficient English speaking, reading, writing, and listening capabilities.

In terms of standardized testing and benchmarking, this translates to a minimum score of TOEFL 70 iBT or 5.5 IELTS or B2 CEFR (or the equivalent through another testing platform).

Of course, some of our research interns are native English speakers, or have taken courses in English as the primary language of instruction or as an additional language during the majority of their schooling.

While a formal test is NOT required to apply for a research internship, we may ask about language proficiency in our application forms.

University of Alberta International Student + Visitor Services encourages faculty members to set up a brief video interview to evaluate if the prospective visiting international student has sufficient communication capabilities to contribute to the host professor's research project. This is due to the unique technical nature of specific terminology in many academic subjects and fields of research.

There are also opportunities to utilize French as the primary language of communication with specific Host Professors, such as for research projects with our faculty members based at University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean in Edmonton. Please be aware that while Campus Saint-Jean's primary language of research and campus communication is French, and it is nestled in the beautiful French Quarter of Edmonton, English is still the most commonly spoken language throughout Edmonton and area. Knowledge of conversational English is necessary to navigate the greater Edmonton community.

If you are interested in learning more about test scores or how your skills compare to the students you may be communicating with on campus, the University of Alberta's language requirements for degree-seeking students can be found at the following: 

How does award/scholarship funding work? Which costs are interns responsible for?

Awards and scholarships contribute to funding the research internship placements coordinated by ISVS. That said, award or scholarship funds are not intended to cover every single expense necessary for you to participate in a research internship. Scholarship providers will readily clarify that you must retain access to some of your own funds to help with your stay in Canada, especially during the first week or two.

Research interns are treated as independent adults and responsible for coordinating and paying for their own:

  • Immigration-related expenses
    • These typically cost between $7-200 CAD
    • Please follow the instructions we provide to you carefully
    • You may repay yourself for this up-front expense from your award funds after arrival
  • Travel arrangements such as international flights
    • We recommend booking only after receiving confirmation from IRCC that you will likely be allowed to enter Canada, such as after an eTA is issued
  • Shelter
    • Rental housing/accommodations, most likely off-campus
      • Security/damage deposit fees
      • Lost key or key fob replacement (if applicable) 
    • There are limited opportunities to stay in certain U of A dormitories or residences on-campus between May-August; this information will be shared directly with selected research internship participants once it is confirmed, typically in early March.
      • Staying on-campus typically costs more than living in private accommodations off-campus nearby, but comes with the security of a known established landlord in a convenient location.
  • Food
  • Clothing and Toiletries
    • Seasonally appropriate gear for the wide swings in temperature that this part of the world experiences
      • Hint: it's probably colder and/or drier here than wherever you are traveling from, so bring warm layers and be prepared to moisturize your skin!
  • Local Transportation
    • 747 Edmonton International Airport Bus or taxi/ride-share/shuttle from the airport to the university
    • Daily or monthly fares for using Edmonton Transit Service (ETS)'s integrated public bus and light rail transit (LRT) network
    • Private pay-per-use transportation options such as electric scooters and e-bikes
      • weather-dependent; typically offered by Bird/Lime/Neuron between late March through early November
    • Rent a bicycle from the U of A's North Campus Bike Library for only $15/week between the months of May through mid-October
      • Requires a refundable security deposit of $160 as long as the bicycle is returned, so be sure to lock it up well with the included U-lock each and every time it's left unattended
      • They have a volunteer-run bicycle workshop on-site and can help you fix it if you get a flat tire or a component requires adjustment/fixing
      • Typically open Tuesdays, Wednedsays, and Thursdays from 12-6pm

Exactly how much you need will depend on your usual standard of living and quality of life in your home country, but fair warning that Canada is generally considered an expensive country to live in compared to many around the world. Any funds you have saved up in your home currency may have higher or lower value here on any given day.

Thankfully, Edmonton and area is considered one of the most affordable major urban centers of 1+ million people in Canada. We also have abundant fresh water from the North Saskatchewan River, and our public city tap water is safe to drink straight from the tap. That said, you may see our water frequently filtered due to its high mineral content, as it originates from glaciers in the Canadian Rockies. There are also many free tools + resources available to help you increase your Canadian financial literacy (as our systems may work a little differently than the ones in your home country), including budgeting + planning. 

How you will be paid and by whom will vary, as some research internship programs are funded by your home university, or a home country's scholarship agency, while others are funded by provincial and national research agencies in Canada, or the University of Alberta (often so that our students may in turn get the chance to conduct research at other institutions), or some combination of all of the above. 

For example, Mitacs Globalink Research Internship funding is sent via direct deposit from Mitacs to an intern's Canadian bank account that they set up shortly after arrival in Canada. A similar process is used for China Scholarship Council-funded researchers. 

While more specific and current details are provided to successful applicants who are offered a placement, some basic information is outlined below for applicants to programs such as UARE, Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships (ELAP/SEED/SICS), etc. so that you may know what to expect ahead of time.

This information is provided as a courtesy to prospective applicants, and is subject to change.

  1. You will be registered as an academic visitor (guest) on campus during your research stay, as you are not here to enroll in courses as a student, so this saves you from having to pay mandatory tuition and fees to the University of Alberta. You are also not considered a staff member and do not receive privileges such as complimentary gym access. There are pros and cons to this. Please keep reading for some examples.
  2. As a University of Alberta community member, you will be given the option to sign up and pay a monthly fee of ~$24.50 for access to the gym/swimming pools/recreational facilities. This is because academic visitors (guests) are not charged the normal mandatory term access fees that University of Alberta students must pay for various facilities and services, such as the gym/swimming pools/climbing walls. The monthly fee works out to be nearly equal to what a University of Alberta student pays per term to access the same facilities.
  3. As an academic visitor (guest), you are not eligible for UPass, which is a bundled deal on transit for students that they pay for in mandatory term fees. Since you are not charged the normal student UPass fees per term that University of Alberta students must pay, you are not eligible to opt-in or receive a UPass.
  4. The adult Arc card for local public transit has a fare cap (maximum monthly amount) if you choose to take the bus or LRT on a frequent basis. You can choose to spend up to $102 per month on transit and live further from campus, or you can choose to put that ~$100 per month towards living closer to campus that you can walk to.   
  5. No funds are ever able to be sent ahead of a participant's arrival in Canada. Only after you have arrived in Canada and have completed campus check-in procedures are we allowed to disburse award/scholarship funds. No exceptions.
  6. Award/scholarship funds disbursed by University of Alberta are typically given in two separate installments. The first is shortly after arrival, to assist with immediate settlement costs and necessary travel expenses you've incurred prior to your arrival. The second installment is approximately halfway through your research internship. Any mandatory health insurance fees will be deducted from your first installment if disbursed by U of A, or if you are externally-funded you may be required to pay for health insurance fees shortly after arrival. 
Why is Health Insurance MANDATORY for research internship participants?

International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) requires all visiting international students participating in our affiliated research internship programs to have mandatory health insurance coverage through our University of Alberta Health Insurance Plan (UAHIP).

The only exception is for Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) program participants, as they are covered by StudyInsured.

UAHIP fees are assessed per calendar month at $50 CAD. Research internship participants with eligible dependents may add them to your plan for an additional fee.

For answers to health insurance-related frequently asked questions, as well as a detailed listing of what is covered by the plan, please visit UAHIP.

Health care services can be accessed at clinics and hospitals around the city as well as on-campus at the University Health Centre and Pharmacy, which are conveniently located in the Students' Union Building (SUB).

University Health Centre 

University Health Centre Pharmacy 

 

How can I find housing/accommodation?

While more specific and current details are provided to successful applicants who are offered a placement, some basic information is outlined below so that you can make an informed decision before making the commitment to apply to any of our programs.

Research interns are responsible for their own housing/accommodation arrangements, including the payment of any rent, security deposit, or key replacement fee(s) from your award/scholarship funds. University of Alberta staff are not able to act as a guarantor, or send any of your award/scholarship funds to a landlord on your behalf. 

On-Campus Housing is only available during specific periods of the summer (typically May-August, exact dates vary) in certain buildings such as Edmonton North Campus Lister Centre's Summer Accommodation, or the Ravine Complex at Augustana Campus in Camrose. Please be aware that academic visitors are ineligible for traditional dormitories reserved through student housing, and you should not attempt to fill out any online student housing application for a dormitory on-campus unless the reservation form or instructions have been provided to you directly by the Internship Coordinator.

Find Off-Campus Housing

It is very important that interns start searching for a place to stay before arriving. Most interns arrange at least short-term housing for the first few days before they arrive, and then look for longer-term housing once they are here. Many interns even find their long-term accommodations ahead of time, but it is better to undercommit and be able to adjust things after arrival, rather than paying a lot in advance and being locked into a place that you later find out isn't suitable or the best fit for you.

The temporary accommodations listed below are being highlighted because they are relatively inexpensive compared to other local options and/or have a great location near campus:

#1 Rule - Please be very skeptical and overly cautious with any request from a landlord or rental agency to send money to them online, sight unseen! Many fraudulent scams and various schemes exist to trick otherwise smart people into sending money based on perceived urgency or other factors. Looking to rent in Edmonton? Beware of scams, experts say.

How can I meet new people, explore Alberta, and participate in social activities?

Research Internships at the University of Alberta are an excellent opportunity for you to explore all that the University and the province of Alberta has to offer.

Interns will have numerous opportunities to meet new people and discover life in Canada through social and cultural activities on and off campus. University of Alberta events offer a chance to connect with members of the public and greater campus communities.

Please visit our ISVS Programs & Events page for more details about optional social activities, group trips, and intercultural experiences. Be sure to follow our student Program Assistants on instagram by searching for ualbertavp.

Our  campuses are connected in the fall and winter semesters from September through April by a free minibus between Campus Saint-Jean and North Campus, as well as a low-cost shuttle between Augustana Campus and North Campus. Please note, neither of these run in the spring/summer terms between May through August. 

Exploring Alberta (and beyond!) can be done by airplane, bus, and even passenger train!
Airplane

WestJet, Air Canada, & Air North (plus many international airlines) service Edmonton via Edmonton International Airport.

Edmonton International Airport is connected to the city at Century Park station via the public 747 route bus, which is only $5 CAD one-way. This is the most economical way to get to the airport and surrounding area, which also offers a convenient stop at the Premium Outlet Collection Edmonton Intl Airport

Bus

A few private companies offer coach bus passenger service to connect people in Edmonton to popular Alberta tourist destinations such as Banff, Calgary, Canmore, and/or Jasper. Fares typically start at $60-80+ CAD one-way per-person. Some of these companies include:

Rail / Train

VIA Rail Canada has limited passenger rail service between Edmonton to Jasper for a unique way to reach this mountain town in Jasper National Park! 

Questions?

Contact information is located on the bottom of our research internships homepage.

Current research interns may also drop by the International Service Centre on Tuesdays between 1-3pm to meet with the Inbound International Internship Coordinator.