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Social Insurance Number (SIN)

How to get your SIN upon arrival if you are Permanent or Temporary Resident
Home > Living > Your First Week in Canada > Social Insurance Number (SIN)
One of the first things to do as soon as you land in Canada is to get your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You cannot legally work without it.

What's a SIN and why do I need it?

In order to identify you in Canada, governmental agencies (federal and provincial) will use your SIN number. This 9-digit number will allow you to have a job, do your taxes, and/or receive governmental benefits (Canada Pension Plan, or Employment Insurance, etc.).

Who can apply for a SIN?

If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you are eligible to apply for a SIN.
For temporary residents, only Work Permit and Study Permit (if allowed to work) holders are eligible for a SIN.
Children who are at least 12 years old can apply to have their own Social Insurance Number.

What do I need to apply for a SIN?

To apply for a Social Insurance Number, you need :
  • a primary document to prove your identity and legal status in Canada :
    • If you apply online, you need to provide a clear and legible electronic copy of the document.
    • If you apply by mail, you need to send the original document. It will be returned to you via mail.
    • If you apply in person, you need to bring it with you.
    • If you are a permanent resident, you can supply the following IRCC-issued documents:
      • The original permanent resident card, or
      • The Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and (i) a passeport or (ii) provincial/territorial issued ID card (healthcare card, driver's licence).
    • If you are a temporary resident, you can supply the following IRCC-issued documents:
    • the original Work Permit, or
    • the original Study Permit, stating that you "may work" or "may accept employment". If your Study Permit doesn’t have these conditions, but you think you meet the criteria to be allowed to work, you can ask IRCC to amend your permit, so you can apply for a SIN. Adding these conditions is free of charge.
  • ​​a secondary document to confirm you identity :
    • If you apply online, you need to provide a clear and legible electronic copy of the document.
    • If you apply by mail, you do not need to provide this document. But you need to fill and sign a SIN application form.
    • If you apply in person, you need to bring it with you.
    • The document must contain your legal name (surname and given name) as well as your date of birth. Examples of acceptable secondary documents include:
      • ​a passport (Canadian or foreign)
      • a provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s license
      • any other government-issued ID.
  • a proof of address that contains the applicant name (surname and given name) the applicant address
    • If you apply online, you need to provide a clear and legible electronic copy of the document.
    • If you apply by mail, you do not need to provide this document. But you need to fill and sign a SIN application form.
    • If you apply in person, you do not need to provide this document.
    • Examples of acceptable proof of address :
      • a letter from an organization or an institution attesting the mailing address of the applicant. The organization/institution and the applicant must sign the letter confirming the mailing address,
      • employment contract that shows your address,
      • any document issued by a school, college or university that shows your address,
      • a bill (from among others a telecom provider, a cable provider, a utility provider, etc.),
      • a residential tenancy agreement/ lease,
      • a letter or document from a financial institution (bank statement, credit card statement, mortgage contract or statement, etc.),
      • a letter or document from a government (federal, provincial, territorial or foreign).

If your actual name if different from the name indicated in your primary document, you will need to provide the original of any legal document explaining the discrepancy (marriage or divorce certificate, adoption documents, etc.).

If any of your documents is not in French or English, you must also provide:
  • a French or English translation of the document, and 
  • an affidavit or attestation signed by the translator.

How and where do I apply for a SIN?

Photo of Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
You can apply for a SIN either online or by mail. You can also apply in person if you cannot apply online or by mail.

If you apply in person, you will receive your SIN at the end of the visit (which can take 10 minutes if there is no line). The original documents provided will be returned to you. You can find here your nearest Service Canada Office. 
For mail SIN applications, beware that you have to send your original documents by mail and Service Canada is not responsible for any document loss. You will receive your SIN and original documents within 20 business days from the day the application is received.

Protecting your SIN

Your SIN is and should remain confidential.

​Someone having your SIN could use it unscrupulously to obtain your private information. It is therefore important to only divulge your SIN when necessary. When the SIN is not linked to you as its rightful owner, another person could receive your government benefits, tax refunds, etc.

The most common uses of your SIN are for your employer, your income tax information, financial institutions from which you earn interest or income, and government agencies.
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  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme Pilote d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouverts Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
      • Numéro d'Assurance Sociale (NAS)
      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
      • Guide du Système Bancaire Canadien
      • Guide d'Hébergement
      • Guide des Opérateurs Téléphoniques Canadiens
      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto