Eligibility & Applications

The information on this page is for undergraduate Visiting International Research Students (VIRS) only. 

Graduate Visiting International Research Students (VIRS) should visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies page for application and admission information.

Eligibility Criteria (undergraduate VIRS):

• To be considered, applicants must have active student status at another higher education institution outside of Canada.
• Applicants must intend to come to the Dalhousie solely for the purpose of conducting research on a project that is academically relevant to their program of study at their home institution.
• Applicants must obtain a written invitation from the host supervisor(s) to do research at Dalhousie.
• Applicants must obtain written approval from the home supervisor(s) to do research at Dalhousie.
• Academic research activities at Dalhousie cannot lead to credits from Dalhousie. VIRS are not permitted to register in courses at Dalhousie. The Registrar’s Office will enroll VIRS in a specially-coded course that will give them student status at Dalhousie.
• The duration of research activities at Dalhousie is limited to a maximum of 12 months. Under special circumstances, a longer duration may be requested.

Application Process

Undergraduate VIRS must formally apply to Dalhousie and be admitted as a special non-degree student. 

1. Visit Dalhousie’s Application Portal to begin the application process.  
2. Under “First Time Users,” select Create an account.
3. Click on “Start New Application” and choose Dalhousie Undergraduate Application.
4. In the “Program Information/Selection” area of the online application, please select the following:  
   • I want to apply to: Individual Courses
   • Select the program you intend to study: Non-Degree
   • Select your intended major: Visiting Researcher
   • Admission Term: from the dropdown menu, select the term in which you plan to begin your research visit
   • Enter your start and end dates (These should match the dates in the Invitation Letter provided to you by your Dalhousie supervisor)

As part of your application, you must provide the Registrar’s Office with the following documents: 

• A copy of the Invitation Letter from your Dalhousie supervisor, and 
• A copy of the Support Letter from your home institution. The Support Letter should indicate that your home institution is aware that you will be doing research at Dalhousie and gives their official approval/support. 

Note: References, transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS scores, or other supporting documents are not required as part of the application.

Immigration Guidance

• Visiting International Research Students should contact the International Centre directly with any immigration-related questions.
• Supervising professors are encouraged to complete and submit to the International Centre an Immigration Information Form (PDF) to determine what immigration process(es) the Visiting International Research Student must follow and what timelines may apply.