How to Get Your SIN Number in Canada

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number issued by the Government of Canada. It is one of the most important numbers you will receive as a newcomer. You need a SIN to work in Canada, file taxes, access government programs and benefits, and open certain financial accounts. Getting your SIN should be one of the first things you do after arriving in Canada, ideally within your first week.

What Is a SIN and Why Do You Need It?

The SIN was originally created in 1964 to administer the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance programs. Today, it is used as a key identifier for a wide range of government services and employment purposes.

You need a SIN to:

• Work for any employer in Canada (employers are required to ask for your SIN)
• File your Canadian income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Access Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
• Access the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)
• Receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
• Open a registered savings account (RRSP, TFSA, RESP)
• Apply for student loans

You do NOT need a SIN to:

• Open a basic bank account (though some banks request it, they cannot refuse to open an account without it)
• Get a provincial health card
• Rent an apartment (landlords should not request your SIN)
• Get a driver's license

Who Is Eligible for a SIN?

The following people are eligible to apply for a SIN in Canada:

• Canadian citizens (born in Canada or naturalized)
• Permanent residents (landed immigrants)
• Temporary residents with a valid work permit
• Temporary residents with a study permit (for on-campus or off-campus work)
• Refugee claimants with a valid work permit or who are eligible to work
• Individuals authorized to work under specific IRCC programs

If you are a visitor to Canada without a work permit, you are generally not eligible for a SIN unless you qualify under a specific exemption.

SIN Numbers Starting with 9

If you are a temporary resident (work permit holder, international student, or refugee claimant), your SIN will start with the number 9. This indicates that you are authorized to work in Canada on a temporary basis. A SIN starting with 9 has an expiry date that matches your work authorization.

Important things to know about SIN numbers starting with 9:

• The SIN expires when your work permit or study permit expires
• You must apply for a new SIN or update your existing one each time your permit is renewed
• When you become a permanent resident, you will receive a new SIN that does not start with 9 and does not expire
• Employers can see from the first digit that your work authorization is temporary, and they may ask for proof that your permit is valid

Permanent residents and Canadian citizens receive SINs that start with other digits (1 through 8, depending on the region) and do not expire.

How to Apply for a SIN

There are three ways to apply for a SIN: in person at a Service Canada office, by mail, or online.

Option 1: Apply In Person at Service Canada (Recommended)

Applying in person at a Service Canada Centre is the fastest option. In most cases, you will receive your SIN the same day.

Steps:

1. Find your nearest Service Canada Centre at servicecanada.gc.ca
2. Bring your required documents (see below)
3. Fill out the SIN application form (available at the centre or download it in advance)
4. Submit your application and documents to the officer
5. Receive your SIN, usually within the same visit

Hours: Most Service Canada Centres are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Hours vary by location. Some centres in large cities have extended hours. It is a good idea to arrive early to avoid long wait times, especially in the first few weeks of a new month.

No appointment is needed in most locations, though some centres in busy areas may require or recommend appointments. Check the specific centre's website.

Option 2: Apply Online

Service Canada offers an online SIN application for eligible applicants. You will need a verified My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to apply online.

Steps:

1. Create or sign in to your My Service Canada Account at canada.ca/my-service-canada-account
2. Complete the online SIN application
3. Upload digital copies of your required documents
4. Submit the application
5. Receive your SIN electronically through your account

The online option is convenient if you already have an MSCA account and do not want to visit a centre in person. Processing time for online applications is typically within 1 business day once all documents are verified.

Option 3: Apply by Mail

If you cannot visit a Service Canada Centre or apply online, you can apply by mail.

Steps:

1. Download and complete the SIN application form (form NAS 2120) from the Service Canada website
2. Gather your required documents (original documents, not photocopies)
3. Mail the completed form and original documents to the Service Canada processing centre

Mailing address: Service Canada Social Insurance Registration Office PO Box 7000 Bathurst, New Brunswick E2A 4T1

Important: When applying by mail, you must send your original documents (not photocopies). Service Canada will return your documents by mail after processing. This means your passport or permanent resident card will be in the mail system for several weeks, which is a risk. For this reason, in-person application is strongly recommended.

Processing time for mail applications: Approximately 20 business days after Service Canada receives your application, plus mailing time in both directions.

Required Documents

The documents you need depend on your immigration status.

Permanent Residents

You need one of the following primary documents:

• Permanent Resident Card (PR card)
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
• Record of Landing (IMM 1000, for those who landed before June 28, 2002)

Plus a secondary identity document such as:

• A valid foreign passport
• A Canadian-issued photo identification

Work Permit Holders

You need:

• A valid work permit issued by IRCC
• A valid foreign passport or travel document

Your work permit must clearly state the conditions of your employment authorization.

International Students

You need:

• A valid study permit that authorizes employment (check the conditions on your permit)
• A valid foreign passport or travel document

If your study permit does not explicitly authorize work, you may still be eligible if you are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and are eligible for off-campus work under the immigration regulations.

Refugee Claimants

You need:

• A valid work permit, or
• An Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada document showing you are eligible to work

Plus identification such as a foreign passport or identity document.

All Applicants

All documents must be original (not photocopies or certified copies). Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation from a qualified translator. The translation must be attached to the original document.

Processing Times

| Application Method | Processing Time | |-------------------|----------------| | In person | Same day (usually within the visit) | | Online | Within 1 business day after document verification | | By mail | Approximately 20 business days after receipt, plus mailing time |

Given the significant difference in processing times, applying in person is almost always the best choice. If you need your SIN urgently to start a new job, visit a Service Canada Centre on a weekday morning.

After You Receive Your SIN

Your SIN Confirmation Letter

When you receive your SIN, you will get a confirmation letter (not a card -- Canada stopped issuing plastic SIN cards in 2014). This letter contains your nine-digit SIN. Keep it in a safe place.

Memorize Your SIN

You will need your SIN frequently in Canada, so memorize the nine-digit number. Do not carry the confirmation letter in your wallet or purse.

Update Your SIN When Your Status Changes

If you are a temporary resident and your immigration status changes (for example, you become a permanent resident), you need to update your SIN record. Visit a Service Canada Centre with your new immigration documents. You will receive a new SIN that reflects your updated status.

If your work permit or study permit is renewed, update your SIN record with the new expiry date to ensure your SIN remains valid.

Protecting Your SIN

Your SIN is a sensitive piece of personal information. Identity theft is a real concern, and your SIN is one of the most valuable pieces of information a fraudster can obtain.

Who Can Legitimately Ask for Your SIN

• Your employer (required by law)
• The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Financial institutions (for tax reporting on interest-bearing accounts, RRSPs, TFSAs)
• Federal government programs (EI, CPP, OAS, CCB)

Who Should NOT Ask for Your SIN

• Landlords (they do not need your SIN to rent you an apartment)
• Utility companies
• Most private companies (unless for tax reporting purposes)
• Stores or businesses for loyalty programs or general identification

If someone asks for your SIN and you are unsure whether they need it, ask why they need it and what law or regulation requires them to collect it. If they cannot provide a clear legal reason, do not provide it.

What to Do If Your SIN Is Compromised

If you believe your SIN has been stolen or compromised:

1. Contact Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627 to report the issue and request a review of your SIN account
2. Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to report identity fraud
3. Contact both credit bureaus (Equifax Canada at 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion Canada at 1-800-663-9980) to place a fraud alert on your credit file
4. File a police report with your local police service
5. Monitor your credit report regularly for unauthorized accounts or inquiries

Service Canada may issue you a new SIN in cases of confirmed identity fraud, but this is done only in exceptional circumstances and requires strong evidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Delaying your application. Apply for your SIN within your first week in Canada. You cannot legally start working without one, and some financial services require it.

Sending original documents by mail. If possible, avoid the mail option. Your passport or PR card will be out of your hands for weeks, which can cause problems if you need those documents for other purposes (opening a bank account, renting an apartment, applying for a health card).

Sharing your SIN unnecessarily. Only provide your SIN when legally required. Ask anyone requesting it to explain their legal basis for collecting it.

Not updating your SIN after a status change. If you transition from a temporary resident to a permanent resident, or if your work or study permit is renewed, update your SIN record promptly.

Carrying your SIN confirmation letter. Do not carry it with you. Memorize the number and store the letter in a safe place at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start working before I receive my SIN?

Technically, you must have a SIN to work in Canada. However, if you have applied for a SIN and have not yet received it, some employers may allow you to start working on the condition that you provide your SIN within a reasonable time (usually a few days). Applying in person at Service Canada typically provides same-day results, so this is rarely an issue.

Do I need a SIN to open a bank account?

No. Banks cannot refuse to open a basic account because you do not have a SIN. However, banks will ask for your SIN for tax reporting purposes on interest-bearing accounts. You can provide your SIN later once you receive it. Some banks may limit certain products (like TFSAs or RRSPs) until you provide a SIN.

What if I lose my SIN confirmation letter?

If you forget your SIN and lose the confirmation letter, you can request a confirmation of your SIN by visiting a Service Canada Centre with valid identification or by calling Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627. You cannot request a replacement letter online.

Can I apply for a SIN before arriving in Canada?

No. You must apply for a SIN after you arrive in Canada. You cannot apply from outside the country. Some immigration programs provide information about the SIN during the landing process, but the actual application must be done in Canada.

Does my SIN change if I become a Canadian citizen?

If you already have a SIN that does not start with 9 (meaning you were a permanent resident), your SIN does not change when you become a citizen. If you had a SIN starting with 9 as a temporary resident, you should have already received a new SIN when you became a permanent resident, and that number remains the same after citizenship.

Key Resources

• Service Canada -- Apply for a SIN: canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/apply.html
• Service Canada Centre Locator: canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada/service-canada-centres.html
• Protect Your SIN: canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/protect-sin.html
• My Service Canada Account: canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca