Janice Lozano
International students in Canada require a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work and be paid, as well as to access government programs and benefits. The SIN is a 9-digit number that is used to file taxes, and international students get a SIN starting with the number '9', indicating their status as temporary residents. To apply for a SIN, international students must submit a SIN application and provide all the required documents, such as a study permit, passport, and proof of Canadian residential address. The application can be made online or by mail, and the SIN can be viewed and printed from the My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs a SIN number | International students in Canada |
| When to apply | After arriving in Canada and receiving a study permit |
| How to apply | Online or by mail |
| Where to apply | My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or a Service Canada Centre |
| Required documents | Birth certificate, study permit, passport, proof of Canadian residential address, etc. |
| SIN number format | Starts with the number 9 |
| Purpose | Needed to work and be paid in Canada, access government programs and benefits, and file taxes |
| Protection | Store documents containing SIN and personal information in a safe place |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for international students
International students in Canada are eligible to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) if they meet certain conditions. A SIN is a nine-digit number that acts as a gateway to numerous benefits, including legal employment, access to government programs and benefits, and eligibility for Canadian tax credits.
To apply for a SIN, international students must provide certain documents to prove their identity and eligibility. The required documents for a SIN application vary depending on the applicant's situation, but typically include:
- A document stating their legal status in Canada, such as confirmation of enrolment from their school or a job offer letter.
- Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or driver's licence. If the birth certificate is not in English or French, it must be translated.
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
International students who are authorised to work in Canada, either on or off-campus, need a SIN. A valid SIN alone does not automatically make an international student eligible to work. They must still meet the eligibility requirements to work legally in Canada. Students in degree programs do not need a work permit to work off-campus.
If an international student is not eligible for a SIN, they can apply for an Individual Tax Number (ITN) for tax purposes. However, it is recommended that they speak to an international student advisor before applying for an ITN.
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Required documents
To obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) as an international student, you must submit a SIN application and provide all the required documents. Here is a list of the required documents:
- A valid study permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with remarks indicating that the permit holder "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada. If your study permit does not have these remarks, you must submit a request for an amendment before applying for a SIN.
- A passport, study permit, or work permit.
- Proof of Canadian residential address.
- Original birth certificate issued by a state authority from your country of birth. Most birth certificates are acceptable, but some may no longer be considered valid by the issuing province. Quebec proof of birth documents issued before 1994 are not accepted.
- Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada, if you are registered under the Indian Act.
- A notarial certificate issued by the country of origin if you are an adoptive parent of a child born abroad and wish to have the SIN issued in the adopted child's Canadian name.
- If your documents are not in English or French, you must submit the original document along with a certified translation and an attestation or affidavit from the translator.
Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and it is recommended to refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date and complete information on required documents.
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How to apply
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9-digit number that you need to work and be paid in Canada, as well as to access government programs and benefits. International students can obtain a SIN, which starts with the number 9, indicating to employers that the holder is a temporary resident.
To apply for a SIN as an international student, you must first ensure that you are eligible. You need to be residing in Canada and have received your study permit. If you are a new international student who has not yet arrived in Canada or received your study permit, you will not be eligible to apply for a SIN at this time.
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can apply for your SIN in several ways: online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, only online applications were accepted, and in-person applications at a Service Canada Office were not permitted.
If you choose to apply online, you will need to provide a valid study permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that indicates you "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada. In addition, you must provide proof of your Canadian residential address. All documents submitted must be in English or French; if they are in another language, they must be translated and include an attestation or affidavit from the translator. Most birth certificates are acceptable to get a SIN, but some may no longer be valid or meet the requirements, so the SIN Program must review the document to determine its validity. Other documents that may be required include a notarial certificate or a Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada. You can find the full list of required documents on the Canada.ca website.
If you are applying by mail or in person, you will need to provide similar documentation, including a study permit or work permit. International students applying in person at a Service Canada Office will specifically need a work permit.
After submitting your application, you can view and print your SIN on your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) once it has been processed. You can also find your SIN on your income tax return, tax slips, record of employment, and RRSP contribution.
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Protecting your SIN
As an international student, you are responsible for protecting your SIN. Here are some ways to do that:
Firstly, never use your SIN as identification or provide it for job applications, rental applications, or other similar purposes. It is important to note that a valid SIN alone does not automatically make you eligible to work; you must still meet the eligibility requirements to work legally.
Secondly, when filling out a SIN application online, never leave your computer or device unattended. Always close your browser if you step away. This helps protect your personal information.
Thirdly, ensure that you store documents containing your SIN and personal information in a safe place. You can view and print your SIN on your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) and keep it secure. Additionally, you can find your SIN on your income tax return, tax slips, record of employment, and RRSP contribution.
Lastly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, you must apply online for your SIN inside Canada. You cannot go in person to a Service Canada Office. Along with your passport, study permit, or work permit, you must provide proof of your Canadian residential address. Keep all these documents secure as they contain your personal information.
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Renewing your SIN
If you are an international student in Canada, you must renew your SIN when you renew your study permit. Your SIN will expire when your study permit expires, so you will need to extend your SIN after receiving your new study permit. You can give your employer proof that you've applied to renew your SIN, and once you get a new expiry date for your SIN, you must give it to your employer within 3 days.
You can apply to renew your SIN online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada office. If you apply online, your application will be processed within 5 business days, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you apply by mail, your application will be processed within 20 business days, and you will receive a confirmation letter. If you apply in person, your application will be processed instantly.
To renew your SIN, you must submit a SIN application and provide all the required documents. You will need a valid study permit document (not study permit approval) for your SIN application. Your study permit must indicate that you are authorized to work in Canada. If you have a work permit, it must be for work that is a requirement of your studies. You will also need to provide your new immigration document, and the expiry date on your SIN record and your immigration document must match.
You can find your SIN on your income tax return, tax slips, record of employment, or RRSP contribution. You can also request a confirmation of your SIN from Service Canada by applying and submitting all required documents.
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Frequently asked questions
SIN stands for Social Insurance Number. It is a 9-digit number that you need to work and be paid in Canada, as well as to access government programs and benefits. It is also used to file taxes.
If you are an international student in Canada, you can apply online for a SIN and update your profile on ACORN once you receive your SIN. You will need a valid study permit that indicates you "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada. You will also need to provide proof of a Canadian residential address.
You will need a valid study permit, a passport, and proof of a Canadian residential address. If you are applying in person at a Service Canada Office, you will need a work permit. Most original birth certificates are also acceptable to get a SIN. All documents must be in English or French.
No, you need a SIN number to work and be paid in Canada. If you are not eligible for a SIN, you can apply for an Individual Tax Number (ITN) for tax purposes.
The expiry date of your SIN is based on the permit that authorizes you to work in Canada. Each time you extend your study or work permits, you must renew your SIN with your new or renewed permits.
