Depending on where and when you land in Canada, you may be able to apply at the airport upon arrival at a Service Canada kiosk.

Brock International hosts SIN clinics on campus at the beginning of each Fall and Winter term. Please ExperienceBU for any upcoming dates and register early.

Service Canada has fully digitalized the SIN application process, so you can apply for your SIN online.  When a complete application with all the required documents is received, it will be processed within 5 business days. 

It is also possible to apply in-person at any Service Canada location or by mail. We do not recommend applying by mail if you can apply in any other way in case your documents get lost. 

You will need your passport (or Canadian government-issued ID) and proof you are eligible to work in Canada. For international students, this is a study permit with the condition “may accept employment” or “may work” allowing you to work on and/or off campus. If you are applying in-person, your documents must be original.

If you are eligible to work on and/or off campus, but don’t have the condition on your study permit, you must either apply for a study permit extension or request an amendment to your current permit.

• If the conditions were correct when your study permit was issued, you need to apply for a new study permit. As a part of your application, you will need to request the conditions be added to your study permit and explain how you are now eligible to work on/off campus.
• If IRCC made an error at the time they issued your study permit, you can request an amendment to your study permit. As part of your application, you need to show that you were eligible to work when your study permit was issued.

Your SIN will likely expire at the same time as your status document (study permit or work permit). When you extend your permit or apply for a new status, you will need to renew your SIN in the same way as applying for a new SIN. You need the physical copy of the new status document before you can renew your SIN.

If you are on maintained status (you applied for an extension before your permit expired and you’re waiting for a decision), you can continue to work if eligible. Maintained status applies to your SIN as well.

Yes, for tax purposes Brock needs your SIN. You should provide it through your student portal. See Brock Central’s tax certificates for more information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are eligible to work before you work any hours and remain eligible while employed. Please note that to be eligible to work under the conditions of your study permit, you must be a full-time student. Students who are part-time, are not enrolled for any reason or who have completed their studies cannot work.

You must provide your SIN to your employer. If your SIN begins with 9, you will also need to show that you are authorized to work in Canada:

• Valid study permit
• Valid work permit
• Proof of maintained status (study/work permit and confirmation of submission of an extension before your permit expired). Maintained status applies to your SIN as well.
• If you are eligible to work while waiting for a PGWP decision, you will need to show either:
  • your WP-EXT for PGWP (IMM 0127 E) letter, or
  • your study permit and confirmation of submission of your PGWP

See Employment and Social Development Canada’s employer information on SINs.