Social Insurance Number in Canada: what it is and how to obtain it
One of the first documents you need to get when you arrive in Canada is a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number used to identify you by Canadian government agencies. You'll need it for employment, paying taxes, accessing government programs and benefits such as Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents can obtain a SIN. Individuals aged 12 and older can apply for their own SIN.
You need to apply for a SIN in the following cases:
- Getting a SIN for the first time
- Confirming your existing SIN
- Correcting an error in your SIN record
- Updating your name change
- Updating your status in Canada
- Updating the expiry date of your immigration document in your SIN record
There is no fee for applying for a Social Insurance Number.
How to Get a Social Insurance Number in Canada
You can apply for a Canadian SIN in person, online, or by mail (under certain circumstances). Online applications were introduced in 2020 due to temporary closures of Service Canada offices during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain available.
Applying in Person
To apply in person, gather the necessary documents and bring them to your nearest Service Canada office. If all your documents are in order, you'll receive your SIN during your visit and won't need to part with your documents.
Permanent residents must present their Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card. If you haven't received it yet, you can provide your Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter along with a passport or other photo ID (like a driver's license) — but only within the first year of your permanent residency in Canada.
Temporary residents, such as those on work or study permits, need to provide their Canadian work or study permit indicating they're allowed to work.
If a temporary resident extends their stay in Canada, they'll need to provide documents confirming the new stay duration to update their SIN expiry date. The SIN expiry date should match the expiry date of the document allowing you to legally stay in Canada.
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When applying in person, you must provide original documents in English or French, or original documents with certified translations.
You can find the nearest Service Canada office on the government website.
Applying Online
To apply for a SIN online, you'll need a document proving your status in Canada and a form of identification. Submit your application with these documents through the government website.
Proof of status in Canada can be a Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter if you arrived in Canada less than a year ago. For temporary residents, it can be a work permit or study permit.
Identification documents include a passport (Canadian or foreign), provincial or territorial ID, driver's license, or other government-issued ID.
When applying online, all documents must be digital copies of original documents in English or French or include certified translations. Documents should be clear, legible, and complete, showing the entire document including borders.
If you've recently changed your name, you may need additional documents such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, legal name change certificate, or adoption papers for children.
Additional documents may also be required if you're applying on behalf of a minor child. Besides the child's identification documents, the parent or guardian will need to provide their own SIN or identification. Legal guardians must provide an original or certified copy of the guardianship document issued by a provincial or territorial authority.
Applying by Mail
You can apply for a SIN by mail in these cases:
- You live more than 100 kilometers from the nearest Service Canada office
- Circumstances prevent you from applying in person, and no one else can apply on your behalf
- You're applying from outside Canada
For mail applications, you'll need to send original documents for SIN consideration and complete and print the application form.
Send documents to:
Service Canada
Social Insurance Registration Office
PO Box 7000
Bathurst NB E2A 4T1
Canada
Your documents will be returned by mail after processing. However, Service Canada is not responsible for lost documents during mailing.
How Long Does It Take to Get a SIN
If you apply online and all documents are in order, your application will be processed within 5 business days of submission.
If you provided an email address, you'll receive two notifications: one confirming receipt of your application, and another when it's processed.
If your application doesn't meet requirements, you'll receive an email or letter explaining why and what's needed to obtain a SIN.
If you choose to receive your SIN:
- Digitally and are eligible for a My Service Canada Account (MSCA), your SIN will be available to view and print in your account immediately after processing. No confirmation letter will be mailed.
- By mail in paper format or if you're notified that you're not eligible for a digital SIN, you'll receive a confirmation letter by mail. If more than 10 days have passed since applying and you haven't received the letter, contact SIN representatives.
If you apply by mail and all documents are in order, your application will be processed within 20 business days of receipt. If more than 25 business days have passed and you haven't received a letter, contact the SIN program.
After applying for a SIN, you can start working before receiving the number if the job is insurable for employment insurance.
Protecting Your Social Insurance Number in Canada
Your SIN is confidential. It can be used to access personal information, so it's important to only disclose your Social Insurance Number when absolutely necessary.
If your SIN falls into the wrong hands, it could lead to identity theft or loss of government benefits, tax refunds, or bank funds.
Fraud involving your SIN can damage your credit history. Additionally, someone might use your SIN for illegal work, which could result in the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) demanding that you pay taxes on income you never earned.
Employers, financial institutions, and government agencies typically require your SIN for legitimate reasons, such as setting up your income tax and providing benefits.
Private companies may also ask for your Social Insurance Number, but this is not recommended. You are not obligated to provide your SIN when applying for a job, renting property, getting a credit card, signing up for phone or internet services, or enrolling in college.
If you're unsure why your SIN is being requested, offer alternative identification and ask to speak with a manager if it's not accepted.
