SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER
On November 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced several changes to the International Student Program for 2026:
- PAL Exemption: Starting January 1, 2026, incoming graduate students (Master’s or PhD) studying/attending at public institutions will be Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) exempt. Further details are available on IRCC's graduate student website. Applications submitted before January 1, 2026, must still include a valid PAL. Learn how to receive your SFU PAL.
- Faster Processing for Doctoral Students: PhD students and their accompanying family members applying from outside of Canada may qualify for expedited study permit processing, if they apply within the same application. Applications may still be subject to background checks, which may delay processing times.
- 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: IRCC has set a target of 155,000 new international student arrivals for 2026. This target applies to study permit applications made from outside Canada and does not include study permit extensions or in-Canada applications. Learn more about the 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap here.
- Life as a Graduate Student: Prepare yourself for life in Canada by learning about housing options, study costs, employment opportunities, and more.
We encourage students to monitor IRCC’s website for the most up-to-date information and will update our News and Updates page as additional details become available.
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a number that the Canadian government requires for taxation purposes and without one, you can not get paid. A SIN is required only if you earn income in Canada, on or off campus. This number enables your employer to make the necessary government deductions.
You must provide your SIN to your employer within three days of starting work.
You can apply for a SIN online or by mail. If you are unable to apply online or by mail, you also have the option to apply in person. For details of how to apply, review the "Social Insurance Number" handout.
If you are not eligible for a SIN but you wish to file taxes in Canada, you may instead apply for an Individual Tax Number (ITN). Visit the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website for instructions on how to apply for an ITN.
Once you have received your SIN or ITN, you should update your student information in goSFU. Canadian tax regulations require SFU to collect the SIN or ITN of all students who pay tuition. Click here for instructions.
Important: Your SIN will expire at the same time as your immigration document. When you renew your study or work permit, remember to renew your SIN if eligible.
Note: A valid SIN alone does not automatically make you eligible to work on or off campus. You must still meet the eligibility requirements as per our Working On or Off Campus handout (including a work permit if applicable) in order to legally work, even if you already have a valid SIN.