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The short answer
A Nigerian student in Canada applies for a social insurance number (SIN) with a valid study permit and one secondary ID such as a passport, online, by mail or at a Service Canada office; online is fastest, at about five business days. Most newcomers are Canadian tax residents from their first day, returns are usually due on 30 April, and the CRA says to keep filing even when nothing is owed because benefit payments are calculated from your return.
What a SIN is and why you need one
A SIN is the nine-digit number Canada uses for work, tax and benefits. For a student it matters early: IRCC lists having a SIN among the conditions for working off campus, so you cannot start an off-campus job without one. See the work hours rule.
Service Canada says a SIN issued to a temporary resident starts with the digit 9 and expires when your immigration document expires. When you extend your study permit or move to a work permit, update your SIN record so it does not lapse.
How to apply
Service Canada's page for temporary residents, modified 2 June 2026, sets out the documents and three routes. It does not mention a fee.
- Primary document
- Your valid study permit. Emails from IRCC are not accepted.
- Secondary document
- One supporting ID, such as your passport or a driver's licence.
- Name change
- A document linking names, if the name you use differs from your permit.
| Route | How | Typical time (Service Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Upload documents; the SIN letter appears in My Service Canada Account | About 5 business days |
| Send to Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1 | About 20 business days | |
| In person | Visit a Service Canada office with your originals | Varies |
Keep your SIN private. Give it to your employer and the tax authorities; do not post it in group chats or give it to a landlord who asks without good reason.
Are you a Canadian tax resident?
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says most newcomers become residents for tax purposes from their first day in Canada. Residence depends on ties: secondary ties include a Canadian bank account, a driver's licence and provincial health insurance, which most students acquire quickly. If you are unsure, the CRA's form NR74 asks it to make a determination.
Being resident in Canada does not make money your family sends you taxable. The CRA lists most gifts and inheritances as amounts that are not reported or taxed, although any interest you earn on them is. Your Nigerian tax position is separate; see tax facts for Nigerians in Canada.
Why filing a return pays
Students often skip their first return because they earned little. That can cost them. The CRA's newcomers page, modified 3 August 2026, gives the reasons to file:
- Benefits are worked out from your return. The CRA says to keep filing for benefit calculations even when nothing is owed.
- The GST/HST credit has a new name. It is now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). Newcomers can apply before their first return: form RC151 if you have no children, or RC66 if you are eligible for the Canada child benefit.
- Tax taken from your pay. If your employer deducted income tax, filing is the only way the CRA can work out whether the deductions were more than you owe and return the difference.
The CRA also notes that the Canada Carbon Rebate has ended for individuals, though unfiled returns for 2021 to 2024 can still bring payments. If you arrived in one of those years and never filed, it may be worth catching up.
Worked example: a refund from over-deduction
Example only, with made-up figures. A student earns CAD 9,000 in a year from part-time work, and the employer deducts CAD 600 in income tax across the year. If, after the personal credits that apply, the tax actually owed on that income is lower, say CAD 150, filing brings back the CAD 450 difference (600 − 150). Without a return, the CAD 600 simply stays with the government. Your own figures depend on your income, province and credits.
Deadlines and steps
- Apply for your SIN in your first week, online if you can.
- Keep every T4 slip from employers and any tuition slip your school issues.
- Apply for the CGEB with RC151 if you have not filed before.
- File by 30 April of the year after the tax year (15 June if self-employed, according to the CRA newcomers page).
- Update your SIN record when your permit changes.
Where Pryme fits
Many students send part of their earnings home. A Pryme account holds NGN, USD, GBP and EUR, and family can keep a verifiable statement of what was received. See the cheapest ways to send money home.
Questions people ask
How do I get a SIN as an international student in Canada?
Apply online, by mail or at a Service Canada office with your valid study permit and a secondary ID such as your passport. Online is fastest, at about five business days.
Why does my SIN start with 9?
Service Canada issues SINs starting with 9 to temporary residents. The number expires when your study or work permit expires.
Do international students have to file taxes in Canada?
Most newcomers are tax residents from their first day. The CRA says to keep filing even if you owe nothing, because benefits are calculated from your return.
Is money from my parents in Nigeria taxed in Canada?
The CRA says most gifts are not reported or taxed, though interest you earn on the money is taxable.
Sources
- Service Canada: SIN for temporary residents (modified 2 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- CRA: Newcomers to Canada (modified 3 Aug 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- CRA: Amounts that are not reported or taxed (modified 17 Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- IRCC: Work off campus as an international student (modified 15 Apr 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.