You are from outside of Canada and you wish to conduct research at CHU Sainte-Justine in the context of your studies or postdoc? Learn about the immigration procedures required for your stay.
Medical Exam
The Centre de recherche Azrieli is an integral part—both physically and legally—of CHU Sainte-Justine, a children’s hospital. You will therefore be working in an environment where protecting public health is essential. To conduct a research project at CHU Sainte-Justine, your immigration document (study permit, work permit, or visitor record) must be valid for work in the health field and in contact with children—even if you do not plan to work directly with patients.
For this reason, it is recommended to undergo a medical exam with a physician designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before submitting your permit application.
For more information:
Study Permit
International students accepted into a study program at a Canadian university must obtain a study permit to study in Canada. This application must be submitted by the student after being accepted into a program and after obtaining a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ).
The CHU Sainte-Justine is not involved in these procedures. You may contact your university for further information or support.
Resources - study permit
Work Permit
International research interns and postdoctoral fellows planning to stay more than 120 days must apply for a work permit, regardless of whether the stay is funded or not.
Employer-specific work permit
Work permits for research internships and postdoctoral stays must be Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt. You must be eligible under one of the following programs:
To apply for an employer-specific work permit, you must have received:
- An offer of employment number from IRCC
- An invitation letter from the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine
Please contact the Academic Affairs Office between 2 and 6 months before your expected arrival date.
Open work permit
An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada for a specified period. If you are eligible, this may be a suitable option depending on your situation.
If you are applying for an open work permit, make sure to complete your medical exam before submitting your application, to avoid restrictions that may prevent you from working in the health field (see the Medical Exam section above).
120-day work permit exemption
Some research interns may be eligible for a short-term work permit exemption (120 days). This applies to researchers, including undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students. To qualify, you must provide a training agreement issued by your university, or any document proving that the internship is part of a study program at a recognized academic institution outside Canada.
To benefit from this exemption, you must present a support letter from the Centre de recherche Azrieli upon arrival in Canada. To obtain this letter, contact the Academic Affairs Office.
Upon arrival, request a visitor record from a border services officer and please submit a copy to the Academic Affairs Office.
For more information, please visit IRCC's website:
Visa and electronic travel authorization (eTA)
There is often confusion between a visa and a study or work permit. A visa allows you to enter Canada, but does not grant permission to study, work, or conduct an internship. To engage in these activities, you must hold the appropriate permit issued by IRCC.
Even if you have a study permit, work permit, or are exempt from needing one, you may still require a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, depending on your country of citizenship.
Immigration fees
All immigration-related fees, including medical exam costs and any fees for modifying a work permit, are the responsibility of the applicant and will not be reimbursed by the Centre de recherche Azrieli..
Resources and authorized representatives
The only individuals authorized to provide immigration advice are representatives recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These professionals are the only ones legally permitted to offer guidance, complete applications, or represent someone before IRCC. Any unauthorized person who offers immigration advice may be subject to penalties under Canadian law.
The CHU Sainte-Justine does not employ immigration representatives and cannot provide advice on which immigration programs to use, how to complete or update an application, or how to interact with Immigration Canada.
For help with immigration applications, contact the international student office at your home university or visit the IRCC website.
Pour de l’information sur la façon de remplir une demande d’immigration, veuillez contacter le Bureau des étudiant(e)s internationaux de votre université d’attache, ou vous référer au site web d’Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada.
Other resources
Here are some other useful resources: