Lori Meadows
International students in Canada need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work and get paid. A SIN is a unique 9-digit number issued by Service Canada. To apply for a SIN, international students must submit a valid passport and one of the following documents issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): a study permit, a work permit, or a visitor record. Applications can be made online, by mail, or in person.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To work and get paid in Canada, access government programs and benefits, and file taxes |
| Eligibility | International students with a valid passport and a study permit that indicates they are authorized to work on and off campus |
| Application Process | Online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada office; during COVID, only online applications were accepted |
| Required Documents | Passport, study permit, work permit (if applicable), proof of Canadian residential address, and other supporting documents for name changes or legal guardianship |
| Validity | Same duration as the associated Canadian immigration document (e.g., study permit) |
| Confidentiality | Must be kept confidential and provided only when necessary |
| Renewal | Required when renewing the associated immigration document (e.g., study permit) |
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What You'll Learn
Required documents for international students
International students need the following documents to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in Canada. A SIN is a nine-digit number that enables you to work and get paid in Canada, as well as access government programs and benefits. It is also used for filing taxes.
Firstly, you will need a study permit issued by IRCC or CIC, which indicates that the holder "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada. If you do not have a work permit or have issues with your study permit requirements, you should contact IRCC. Secondly, you will need a visitor record issued by IRCC or CIC, showing that you are authorised to work in Canada. This is not required if you have a valid study permit.
In addition, you may need a diplomatic identity card and a work authorisation issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. If you are registered under the Indian Act and want to register your status in your SIN record, you will need to provide a Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada. If you are applying on behalf of an agency, you will need a letter of authorisation from the agency director or administrator, on the agency's letterhead.
Most original birth certificates are also acceptable to obtain a SIN, although some provinces may not accept certain birth certificates. If your current name does not match the name on your primary identity document, you must submit one or more supporting documents for each name change.
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How to fill out the application
To fill out the application form for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) as an international student in Canada, you must first ensure that you have all the required documents. The specific documents you need may vary depending on your personal situation, but generally, you will need to provide original documents in English or French. Here is a list of commonly required documents:
- A study permit issued by IRCC or CIC, which indicates that the permit holder "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada.
- A visitor record issued by IRCC or CIC, indicating authorisation to work in Canada.
- A diplomatic identity card and work authorisation issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.
- A birth certificate issued by a state authority from your country of birth if you were born outside Canada.
- A certificate of birth or birth certificate issued by the vital statistics agency in the province or territory of birth.
- A certificate of Canadian citizenship issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
- A certificate of registration of birth abroad issued by CIC before 1977.
- A status verification or verification of status issued by IRCC or CIC.
In addition, if you have changed your name, you must provide supporting documents that establish a link between all the names used and the documents provided. For example, a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
When filling out the application form, be extremely careful to avoid mistakes. Double-check all the information before submitting, as any errors could delay or even result in a refusal of your application. You can apply for your SIN online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. The online application is highly recommended, and you will typically receive your SIN within 5 to 15 business days. If you apply in person, you will receive your SIN instantly during your visit.
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Where to send the application
International students can apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in several ways: online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada office. During the Covid pandemic, however, students had to apply online and could not go in person to a Service Canada office.
To apply online, students can visit the Service Canada website, which provides instructions on how to apply. The website is the best resource for the most up-to-date information.
To apply by mail, students can submit their application and supporting documents via a secure mail service, such as Xpresspost or Registered Mail.
When applying in person, international students need specific documents, such as a work permit or study permit, and proof of Canadian residential address. They can visit any Service Canada office, and one of the locations accessible from the University of Toronto Scarborough is the Toronto Scarborough Service Canada Centre at 200 Town Centre Court, 1st Floor, in Scarborough, ON.
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How long the application takes to process
The time it takes to process a SIN application varies depending on the application method. If you are applying for your SIN in person at a local Service Canada centre, you will receive your Social Insurance Number immediately after completing an interview with a Service Canada centre agent. However, if your documents cannot be validated locally, your application will be manually sent to the SIN head office for processing.
For online applications through the Canada.ca website, you must submit clear images of your original Primary and Supporting Documents. Any unclear image uploads will cause delays in processing your SIN application. E-form processing may take up to 15 business days. If you do not receive your Confirmation of SIN letter after 25 business days, you should contact the SIN head office to follow up on the status of your application.
If you choose to submit your application by mail, you must include your original Primary and Supporting Documents. The SIN processing office will return your documents via registered mail. Service Canada is not responsible for any documents lost in the mail. If you do not receive your Confirmation of SIN letter after 25 business days, you should contact the SIN head office to inquire about the status of your application.
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What to do once you receive your SIN
Once you receive your SIN, there are several things you should do to ensure that your records are up to date and that you can use your SIN for its intended purposes.
Firstly, it is important to note that if you are an international student, your SIN will start with the number 9, indicating that you are a temporary resident in Canada. Your SIN is required for taxation purposes and you must provide it to your employer within three days of starting work. This number enables your employer to make the necessary government deductions.
Secondly, if you have received a new official immigration document, you must apply to Service Canada to update the expiry date of your SIN record to match the expiry date of your permit. This is also applicable if your SIN is expired and you have received authorization from IRCC to continue working in Canada.
Additionally, it is your responsibility to protect your SIN and store documents containing your SIN and personal information securely. You should also be cautious when providing your SIN, as it should not be used as identification for job applications, rental applications, or similar purposes.
Finally, if you need to update your SIN record due to a name change, you must submit a SIN application along with all the required documents, including supporting documents stating the name you currently use.
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Frequently asked questions
A SIN is a unique 9-digit number issued by the Canadian government for taxation purposes. It is required to work in Canada and access government programs and benefits.
To apply for a SIN as an international student, you must have a valid passport and one of the following documents issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): a study permit that indicates you are authorised to work, or a work permit. You will also need to provide proof of a Canadian residential address. You can apply online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada office.
If your study permit does not state that you are authorised to work in Canada, you must get a new study permit with the correct wording or apply for a work permit.
Your SIN will expire at the same time as your immigration document. If you renew your study or work permit, remember to renew your SIN as well.
If you are not eligible for a SIN, you can apply for an Individual Tax Number (ITN) for tax purposes.
