On this page
To work, file taxes, and access government programs and benefits in Canada, you听require听a听. To get paid by an employer and to open a Canadian bank account, you听require听a SIN. To be eligible for a SIN, your听study听permit must provide you with authorization to work on and/or off campus.
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):听
Valid听study听permit that authorizes you to work in Canada (e.g. 鈥渕ay accept employment鈥 or 鈥渕ay work鈥)
Visitor听record that authorizes you to work in Canada听
痴补濒颈诲听飞辞谤办听辫别谤尘颈迟
Secondary identity document (one of the following):听
Passport
Canadian provincial or territorial ID card or driver鈥檚 licence听
Any other Canadian government-issued ID
How to apply online
To access the online SIN application, visit the鈥痮n the Government of Canada website. Scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the instructions under 鈥淎pply for a SIN.鈥
Note: References on the Government of Canada website to the听鈥痑re 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 鈥淭emporary Resident.鈥澨
How to apply in person
If your听study听permit includes authorization for you to work:
- Go to the nearest听Service Canada office in鈥痮谤鈥.
- At the office, complete the application for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and wait in line.
- A Service Canada representative will verify your documents, and you will receive a letter with a SIN.
听
If听your听study听permit听doesn鈥檛听include authorization for you to work: 鈥
- First, apply to鈥amend your study permit听so you听are authorized to听work.听
- After you receive your amended study permit, go to the nearest Service Canada office in鈥鈥痮谤鈥.
- At the office, complete the application for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and wait in line.
- A Service Canada representative will verify your documents, and you will receive a letter with a SIN.
Keeping your SIN valid
Make sure you鈥痥eep your SIN valid鈥痓y renewing it every time you extend your temporary resident status in Canada (for example, when you extend your study permit or get a鈥痯ost-graduation听work听permit).
Please ensure you have a permit that authorizes you to work before听going to the Service Canada office to extend your SIN.