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Social Insurance Number

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To work, file taxes, and access government programs and benefits in Canada, yourequirea. To get paid by an employer and to open a Canadian bank account, yourequirea SIN. To be eligible for a SIN, yourstudypermit must provide you with authorization to work on and/or off campus.

Applying for a SIN
How to apply online
How to apply in person
Keeping your SIN valid

Applying for a SIN

You can apply for a SIN online, in person, or by mail. There is no fee to apply for a SIN. To apply, you will require the following documents:

  • Primary identity document (one of the following):

  • Validstudypermit that authorizes you to work in Canada (e.g. “may accept employment” or “may work”)

  • Visitorrecord that authorizes you to work in Canada

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  • Secondary identity document (one of the following):

  • Passport

  • Canadian provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s licence

  • Any other Canadian government-issued ID

How to apply online

To access the online SIN application, visit the  on the Government of Canada website. Scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the instructions under “Apply for a SIN.”

Note: References on the Government of Canada website to the are specific to Indigenous people in Canada. Most international students who are applying for a SIN for the first time will be doing so as a “Temporary Resident.”

How to apply in person

If yourstudypermit includes authorization for you to work:

  1. Go to the nearestService Canada office in  o .
  2. At the office, complete the application for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and wait in line.
  3. A Service Canada representative will verify your documents, and you will receive a letter with a SIN.

Ifyourstudypermitdoesn’tinclude authorization for you to work:  

  1. First, apply to amend your study permitso youare authorized towork.
  2. After you receive your amended study permit, go to the nearest Service Canada office in  o .
  3. At the office, complete the application for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and wait in line.
  4. A Service Canada representative will verify your documents, and you will receive a letter with a SIN.

Keeping your SIN valid

Make sure you keep your SIN valid by renewing it every time you extend your temporary resident status in Canada (for example, when you extend your study permit or get a post-graduationworkpermit).

Please ensure you have a permit that authorizes you to work beforegoing to the Service Canada office to extend your SIN.