International Postdoctoral Fellows
Please note that if you are an international postdoc candidate, you must relocate to Canada to complete a fellowship at Carleton University.
In order to legally work in Canada, international postdoctoral fellows MUST acquire a work permit. International postdocs are expected to apply for an employer-specific work permit, specifically an LMIA-exempt work permit, unless they have already acquired an open work permit.
In order to be hired as a postdoc here at Carleton University, Carleton must submit an offer of employment through the International Mobility Program with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once your appointment as a postdoc has been confirmed at Carleton, the Postdoctoral Fellow Coordinator will send you an official letter of offer and an Offer of Employment number designated by IRCC. This information is required to obtain the necessary authorization to work in Canada.
Please refer to IRCC’s website for further details on how and where to apply. Processing times vary between IRCC offices and it may take several days, or several weeks, to process the application and determine your eligibility. Applicants are advised to review the website of their local Canadian Immigration Office to ascertain processing times and required documentation.
Receiving a Work Permit
In order to receive a work permit, IRCC may also require the following items:
- Temporary Resident Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization: In addition to the temporary work permit, citizens of some countries will also require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for entry to Canada. Please note that, if you are planning to travel outside of Canada while employed as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Carleton, you must notify IRCC at the time of application to ensure that, if eligible, a multiple entry visa is obtained.
- Biometric Data Requirements: IRCC may require citizens of certain countries to supply biometric data in order to enter Canada. Please refer to the IRCC website for a list of countries whose citizens will be required to provide this data.
- Medical Exam: IRCC generally requires applicants to undergo a medical examination to ensure that they will not be inadmissible for medical reasons. Please check your application requirements to determine if you will need to schedule an appointment with a panel physician.
- Background Check: A background check may be required by IRCC to confirm your eligibility for receiving a work permit.
Documents for Entry into Canada
In preparation for arrival, you should gather the following documents and have them ready for the Immigration Officer’s inspection upon entry into Canada:
- Letter of Offer from Carleton University
- Offer of Employment number provided by Carleton University
- Proof of PhD (or letter from academic administrator providing proof of near completion)
- Passport(s)
- Temporary Resident Visa and/or Electronic Travel Authorization (as applicable)
- Any other information designated on the IRCC website
Renewals and Extensions
As a postdoc at Carleton, you must renew your work permit if your appointment is to continue beyond the expiry date of your current work permit. It is important to start your renewal process 4-5 months in advance of the expiry date to take into account IRCC processing times.