Nomination process

A nomination form requests the following information

• The full mailing address plus zip code/postcode and the e-mail address of the nominated visitor.
• Date of birth (which is used for travel insurance purposes).
• A current curriculum vitae including a publications list.
• A written and dated travel quotation from the University's travel agent.
• Details of the proposed lecture programme (including a summary of lecture hours and student numbers) and any additional activities to be underetaken during the visit.
• Proposed visit dates.
• Information about whether or not the visitor has visited UC before through an award from the Erskine Programme.
• If a second airfare is to be requested for an accompanying spouse, partner or other immediate family member.
• Number of immediate family members to travel with the visiting fellow and the ages of any children under 16 years old.
• The signature of the Head of Department/School or formally appointed acting Head.
• The signature of the Faculty Executive Dean.

The signature of the nominating Head of School/Department is taken as confirmation that the academic arrangements in place, with any other Schools/Departments named as benefiting from a Fellow's visit, have been formally approved by such other Heads. Nominations are considered on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and the invitation is formally extended by the Erskine Programme Office. Because the purpose of Erskine Programme Visiting Fellowships is to give lectures to students, shorter visits of, say, one month are timed so that the bulk of the period falls in term-time.

Where relevant, a second airfare will be offered for a spouse or domestic partner, or other immediate family member living at the same address, who will be visiting for a minimum period, excluding travelling time to/from Christchurch, of 28 continuous days or longer during the period of the Fellowship proper. For convenience, the family member need not travel with the visitor in either direction. As the above period is the minimum duration for a Fellowship itself, travel for a shorter visit by a family member is not paid for by the University.

After an acceptance is received, formal communication with the visitor is through the Erskine Programme Office who will correspond with the Head of School/Department regarding the visit.

The Head is advised when a formal response is received to the letter of invitation. When a formal acceptance is received, the Erskine Programme Office will send the visitor a letter regarding travel and, unless advised otherwise, will routinely arrange for on-campus fully furnished accommodation for the visitor and any accompanying person(s).

The per diem rate for Erskine Programme Visiting Fellows is NZ$100 per night.   The per diem is paid for eligible nights (term-time) and is paid directly by the Erskine Programme to the visitor.  Visitors are expected to set up a New Zealand bank account to receive payment of the maintenance grant.  The maintenance allowance is not currently taxable in New Zealand.

Accommodation is also provided for the duration of the fellowship.  Visitors will be housed in pre-approved private accommodation. While our staff make every effort to meet individual accommodation requirements, we are unable to guarantee any specific style or standard.

Please contact the Erskine Programme Office if you have any questions - erskine@canterbury.ac.nz

Some visitors may require visas to enter New Zealand depending on their country of origin and length of stay.

Information about the type of visa you will need to obtain will be provided by the Erskine Programme Office.  The Erskine Programme Office can also advise on visa requirements for any accompanying family members. Typically, visitors staying for more than 3 months will need to obtain a visa prior to arrival.  Visitors who have a UK passport can enter New Zealand for up to 6 months on a visitor visa.  

Visitor visas are typically issued on arrival for visits of less than 3 months for people travelling from a visa waiver country.  

Visiting fellows are responsible for arranging their own visas to New Zealand. Visitors should ensure that they leave sufficient time to arrange any required visas, as they can take up to 3 months to be processed. Where a visitor fails to obtain any necessary visas before departure which prevents them from coming to New Zealand, they will be liable to reimburse the Erskine Programme, in full, for any costs incurred (such as airline tickets or accommodation costs).

Passport holders of non-visa-free countries or visitors staying longer than three months should apply for a Specific Purpose Work Visa. Visitors who also wish to educate their children as domestic students whilst in New Zealand will require a temporary work visa. Children will require student visas.

From 1 October 2019, some visitors and transit passengers must have an Electronic Travel Authority and pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy before travelling to NZ. Before you travel to New Zealand, it is your responsibility to check if you need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). You will also have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). For more information on how to obtain an eTA, please follow this link.

Please contact the Erskine Programme Office for further information at erskine@canterbury.ac.nz

On arrival each visitor is

• met at the airport by their host (or other designated person) and taken to their accommodation
• provided with a folder of introductory information;
• issued with a Canterbury Card which will allow access to UC's computer systems, buildings and libraries; 
• asked to finalise the opening of a NZ bank account into which their maintenance allowance will be paid. The transfer of funds to the visitor's bank account normally takes place within 3 to 9 working days of receipt of the bank account number; and 
• welcomed into life at UC.

The visitor will also receive a full introduction into their allocated school/department by their host or departmental administrator.

At the conclusion of a Visiting Fellowship the visitor provides a brief report regarding the academic events of the visit, which the Erskine Programme Office will circulate to the Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Departments. The report is managed through Qualtrics, the university's survey and questionnaire tool.