As you prepare to join us, it’s important to ensure you have the correct visa or travel authorisation for entry into Canada. International participants are encouraged to begin this process early. You will also find the forms for requesting a letter of invitation or official invoices from the Systemic Design Association.
RSD14–TORONTO, the in-person Relating Systems Thinking and Design event, takes place October 15–18. OCAD University in downtown Toronto hosts the symposium.
If you haven’t been to Toronto before or already know and love this city, RSD14-TORONTO is an opportunity to enjoy a fall visit, the changing colours of the leaves, and meet with colleagues. Toronto is renowned for its cultural diversity and iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, and Art Gallery of Ontario. Home to world-class institutions including OCADU, University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, and York University, the city is a leading centre of academic and research excellence. The University of Waterloo’s Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI)—an active RSD contributor—is a short drive or inner-city train ride away.
Green spaces define the city, with hundreds of parks offering walks and meeting places. If you are planning dates, note that we are exploring the possibility of a retreat day on Toronto Island—a car-free haven just minutes from downtown—on October 19, following the main symposium.
Drop us a line if you need help with dates or any aspect of your travel or Visa. RSD14@RSDsymposium.org
Do you need a visa or travel authorisation?
Canada’s entry requirements vary by country. Most RSD14 attendees will fall into one of the following two categories.
Visa-exempt countries
Travellers from most European countries, the UK, Australia, Japan, and other visa-exempt nations do not need a visa. However, if you’re arriving by air, you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
The Government of Canada’s official web page to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html
Visa-required countries
If your country is not visa-exempt, you must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa. This application can take several weeks or longer, so we recommend applying as early as possible.
Entry requirements by country or territory.
Not sure? Use Canada’s online tool
Find out what you need to travel to Canada: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
Requesting a visa invitation letter
If your application requires a letter of invitation, OCAD University, the host of RSD14, will provide a formal letter confirming your participation in the in-person symposium.
To request a letter, complete this form:
RSD14 Visa Letter Request Form
You’ll be asked for:
- Full name (as shown on your passport)
- Country of residence
- Affiliation or institution
- Details needed for your invitation letter
- Your order confirmation number, which was sent by email
subject: Order Notification for RSD14: Arcs of Impact
sender: noreply@order.eventbrite.com
Please note that invitation letters are provided only to registered participants or confirmed contributors.
Before you request an invitation letter, register for RSD14-TORONTO on Eventbrite.
If you require an official invoice, use the “pay by invoice” option and complete the request for invoice form at https://forms.gle/8ijsamcre5pbhagg8.
Then, email RSD14@RSDsymposium.org to initiate the invoice process.
This option is for those who need an official invoice for reimbursement, cannot pay by credit card or PayPal, or are under an arrangement whereby their institution or organisation must make the payment directly.
RSD keeps ticket prices low by limiting administrative overhead. Please use this option only when necessary. If your plans change, we issue refunds upon notification. Thank you for completing the process and helping us to produce your invoice efficiently.
Final notes
RSD14–TORONTO is an in-person event, and entry into Canada requires appropriate travel authorisation.
- Apply early—especially if you need a TRV—as processing times vary
- An eTA is required only for air travel from visa-exempt countries
- For questions or assistance, contact us at rsd14@rsdsymposium.org
We look forward to welcoming you to Toronto for RSD14: Arcs of Impact.
Participant FAQs
Planning your way in—Getting to RSD14
A few suggestions for international travellers.
The RSD online experience
With a bit of pre-planning, you can integrate the RSD online experience with your daily life.
How does the whole programme work?
RSD14 runs from October 3 to 21 as a series of online and in-person events dedicated to systemic design.
Why Arcs of Impact?
Given the importance of relations in systems, RSD14 seeks to explore relationality in complexity.