VISA & TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

Visa & Entry Information

COSYNE 2027 attendees traveling to Montréal may require a Canadian visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their citizenship, travel document, and method of travel. Processing times can vary significantly depending on country of origin. We strongly recommend beginning the visa application process early.

Do I Need a Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

Most foreign nationals need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and foreign nationals with a valid visa.

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, are not eligible to apply for an eTA and need to travel with a valid Canadian passport.

For information about the TRV and eTA application processes, see: Visit Canada. To find out if you need a TRV or eTA to travel to Canada, see: Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada.

Letter of Invitation Request

A Letter of Invitation confirms your participation in COSYNE through an accepted abstract submission, workshop proposal, and/or conference registration. It does not imply or provide financial support, nor does it constitute acceptance of an abstract or workshop proposal unless that submission has already been formally accepted.

For those who require a visa, please note that COSYNE, Inc. has no control over the visa application process or the decision of the visa adjudicator in the embassy or consulate. The conference cannot be responsible for actual visa issuances. The process length varies from individual to individual, so you are strongly advised to start your application as soon as you can.

  • Confirmed authors, workshop organizers and committee members in need of a Letter of Invitation to assist in the visa application process, please fill out the *Letter of Invitation Request Form.

  • Other participants need to register first before we can issue an invitation letter. You can *register here.

*If you need a letter of invitation before our acceptance letters are sent out or before registration opens, specify the reason in the ‘Additional Information’ section of the form.

Disclosure: Participant information may be shared with Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Information collected in part may be used to identify and coordinate the processing of visa applications, within the confines of the Privacy Act and at the discretion of the Special Events Unit.

Apply for Your Visa

COSYNE 2027 is registered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Conferences registered with IRCC are issued a unique special event code to help track and monitor visa processing. Applicants should tag their applications with the event’s special event code, which can be found in the letter of invitation provided by the conference organizer. While a special event code has been assigned to the conference, it does not offer any advantage to the applicant, in terms of a positive visa outcome.

All participants applying for a visa to attend should apply for their visitor visa via the IRCC Secure Network by clicking on this link: IRCC Secure Network.

Before applying:

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Will my registration fee be refunded if my visa is denied?

Cancellations received by 25 February 2027, will receive a full refund of the conference fee, minus a $35 processing fee. Refunds for visa issues after this date will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please be prepared to provide documentation of the issue.

Who should I list as the Point of Contact on the visa application?

Use the contact information provided in the COSYNE 2027 visa invitation/support letter.

Where can I find the Special Event Code?

The code is available in the visa invitation/support letter.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES