Getting a Social Insurance Number

Required documents

To qualify 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):

• valid work permit
• valid study permit that clearly states you are authorized to work in Canada
• valid visitor record that clearly states you are authorized to work in Canada 

If you do not have a valid work permit and your study permit does not clearly state that you "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada, you must get a new study permit with the correct wording.

Option 1: request a correction from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Choose this option only if:

• your study permit was issued recently at a Canadian port of entry,
• you were eligible to work in Canada as an international student when your study permit was issued, and
• you are in urgent need of a SIN

Visit the CBSA office in Victoria to explain your situation and request a new study permit.

If your request is not successful, choose a different option.

Option 2: apply to change your study permit conditions

Choose this option if: 

• you were not eligible to work in Canada as an international student when your study permit was issued, but you have since changed your program of study so that you are now eligible

Submit an application to change the conditions of your study permit. 

You must include:

• a study permit information letter and a verification of enrolment that confirms your registration status at UVic is full-time
  • request these documents through Online Tools > Online Request Forms

Option 3: apply to amend your study permit

Choose this option if:

• you were eligible to work in Canada as an international student when your study permit was issued

Submit an application to amend your study permit. 

You must include:

• a letter of acceptance or study permit information letter and a verification of enrolment that confirms your registration status at UVic is full-time
  • request these documents through Online Tools > Online Request Forms
• a copy of the letter of acceptance or study permit information letter you included in your original application for the study permit you now need to amend
  • if you no longer have this letter, contact your UVic admission officer to request a copy
• your original study permit (make a copy or take a photo of your study permit before submitting the application by mail)

Once you have a SIN

Protect your SIN

Your SIN is confidential and needs to be protected. You should be cautious about providing your SIN to people you do not know, including over the phone to suspicious callers.

If an organization asks for your SIN and it is not legally required, you can explain that you prefer not to provide it and offer different proof of identity.

Know your SIN

As an international student, you are a temporary resident of Canada, so your SIN begins with a 9 and should be valid for the same duration as your Canadian immigration document.

Expiry and extensions

If you apply to extend your temporary resident status in Canada before your Canadian immigration document expires, and your current document expires before you receive the new document, you will probably have maintained status (previously known as “implied status”).

• if you are in Canada with maintained status, you may be allowed to continue studying or working until you receive your new document from IRCC, provided that you applied to extend your status in Canada before the expiry date and you have not left Canada

You will need to update your SIN record with Service Canada once you receive the new document from IRCC. The process is the same as in the initial application. You will receive a new Confirmation of SIN letter with an updated expiry date to match your new immigration document.

If your employer has questions about implied status and SIN, refer them to the Government of Canada's employer information.