Comprehensive reference for international students at UBC.
Social Insurance Number
Once you have received your work permit, you need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada. You cannot be paid for work in Canada without a SIN. Apply for your SIN in person. It takes several weeks to process.
Your employer must ask to see your SIN card as soon as you are hired. You must show your SIN card, or proof that you have applied for a SIN, within three days after you start working.
Who can apply for a SIN?
If you are an international student, you can only apply for a SIN if you have a job offer or a work permit. You can apply for your SIN at a Service Canada office.
How do I apply for a SIN?
There is no fee to apply for a SIN. Application forms are available at International House or at a Service Canada office. For more information and a list of Service Canada locations, visit the Service Canada website.
You may download the I. House tutorial for step-by-step instructions (348 KB PDF) on applying for a SIN.
Documents you need to apply for a Social Insurance Number:
If you have an on-campus job offer and a valid study permit, but you do not have a work permit, you will need the following:
- Original versions of your study permit.
- Your passport.
- Social Insurance Number Application Form.
- A letter or contract on company letterhead from your employer stating the following:
- Name of the on-campus department or on-campus business hiring the student
- Employer's name
- Address where work will be performed
- Employer's signature
- Employer's telephone number
- Contract of employment, which must show the start and end date of employment and these dates must fall within the study permit dates
- Employee's start and end dates of employment
- Gender of student
- Date of birth of student
- Surname, given name of student
- Study permit document number
- Date the study permit was signed
- Date of expiry of the study permit
- Signature of student and date signed
If you hold a Work Permit (Off-campus work permit or Co-op work permit) you will need the following:
- Original work permit.
- Your passport.
- Social Insurance Number Application Form.
The 900-series SIN
You will be issued a SIN beginning with the number 9 (called a 900-series SIN). As a holder of a 900-series SIN, you also need to show your study or work permit to an employer to clarify that you are eligible to work in Canada. Most on-campus employers should be aware of this. If you experience any difficulty, contact an International Student Advisor
All 900-series SINs have an expiry date. The expiry date on SINs issued after 2003 should be the same as the one on your primary immigration document (your study or work permit).
If your SIN expires soon, you need to extend your study permit before you can extend your SIN.
Can I start working before I get my SIN card?
Employers are required to ask all employees to show their SIN cards within the first three days of work. In most situations, you can start working as long as you can prove that you have applied for a SIN. Your SIN application receipt will be enough proof for most on-campus employers.
Implied status for the SIN
Service Canada grants an implied status of up to eight weeks for those employees who experience an administrative delay after requesting a renewal of their study or work permits. This implied status is granted only if the renewal application was made prior to the expiration of the original immigration document. You should be able to keep working and receiving payments while having implied status. Visit the Service Canada website for more details.
