Visitor - Outside The United Kingdom

Outside The United Kingdom

The position has also existed in universities in other countries which have followed the British model, although in many countries the Visitor's role in complaints has been transferred to other bodies.

In the Republic of Ireland, the Universities Act, 1997 redefines the appointment, function and responsibility of a Visitor. A Visitor may be appointed by the Government and must be either a current Judge of the High Court or a retired Judge of the High Court or Supreme Court.

The Governor of Victoria is the Visitor to all Victorian universities, but has only ceremonial duties.

The Governor of New South Wales is the Visitor to Sydney Grammar School pursuant to statute. The Governor is also the Visitor of the University of Wollongong by the University of Wollongong Act 1989. The Governor of NSW can exercise ceremonial duties only in their role as Visitor; this is mandated under the same Act.

In Canada, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a member of the Canadian Royal Family, has served as Visitor to Upper Canada College, in Toronto, Ontario, since 1959. Also in Canada, the Queen's Representative in Ontario, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, serves as the Visitor to the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. A similar arrangement has the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador serve as the Visitor to Memorial University of Newfoundland On a slightly higher level, the Governor General of Canada automatically serves as the official Visitor of McGill University. The Anglican Bishop of Montreal is Visitor to Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Quebec.

In India, according to the IIT act the President of India is the visitor of the 7 Indian Institutes of Technology.

In the United States, the office of "visitor," from its early use at some colleges and other institutions, evolved specifically into that of a trustee. Certain colleges and universities, particularly of an earlier, often colonial founding, are governed by boards of Visitors, often chaired by a Rector (rather than regents or trustees, etc.). Examples include the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia.