How to get a Social Insurance Number in Canada?

Highlights: How can you obtain a Social Insurance Number in Canada?

• Residents in Canada must obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work and avail of benefits in Canada.
• Service Canada issues the SIN to all Temporary Residents (TR) and Canadian Permanent Residents (PR)
• Canadian residents above 12 years can apply for a SIN online or by visiting a Service Canada location.
• SIN can be used to access government programs such as Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance (EI).

 

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Social Insurance Number in Canada

Service Canada issues a unique 9-digit number to all Canadian residents, which is known as the Social Insurance Number. This number is crucial to all Temporary and Permanent Residents so as to work and avail of benefits provided by the Government. Residents must provide their SIN to their employer to access government programs such as Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI).

 

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SIN Application Process

Canadian Residents can apply for SIN online, via mail or by visiting at a Service Canada location. The requirements for SIN application vary based on the applicant’s situation such as if applying for themselves or for someone else. Requirements may also differ on the basis on the status of the applicant- whether they are a TR, PR or a Canadian citizen.

 

All Canadian TRs and PRs are advised to apply for an SIN within three days of starting their work in Canada. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) stated that employees can only "begin working in insurable employment after applying for their SIN.

 

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Documents required for SIN application

The following are the documents required for a PR holder applying online for themselves:

 

• Any one of the following must be submitted as Primary Identity Document:
  • IRCC-Issued or CIC-issued PR Card
  • IRCC-issued Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

 

Note: COPR is acceptable only if it is used within one year of becoming PR and the Record of Landing issued by CIC before June 28, 2002.

• Any one of the following must be submitted as Secondary Document only if it states the full name and date of birth of the applicant:
  • A valid Canadian or foreign passport
  • A provincial or territorial ID card
  • Driver’s license
  • Any ID card issued by the Canadian Government

 

Note: Applicants must provide supporting documents if the name mentioned in any of the documents provided is not the same as the one mentioned in the SIN application form.

 

The following are the documents required for a Canadian Temporary Resident (TR) applying online for themselves:

 

• Any one of the following must be submitted as Primary Identity Document:
  • IRCC-issued or CIC-issued Work Permit
  • IRCC-issued or CIC-issued Study permit indicating that the holder is allowed to work in Canada
  • IRCC-issued or CIC-issued visitor record indicating that the holder is allowed to work in Canada
  • IRCC-issued or CIC-issued Diplomatic Identity Card along with an authorised work permit issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

 

IRCC allows Temporary Residents to continue working whose SIN has expired and are waiting for their new immigration document provided they maintain a valid status while processing. However, they must apply for a new immigration document as soon as they receive authorisation to work in Canada by the IRCC.

 

Note: The SIN expiry date mentioned on your SIN record and your immigration document should be the same.

 

• Any one of the following must be submitted as Secondary Document only if it states the full name and date of birth of the applicant:
  • A valid Canadian or foreign passport
  • A provincial or territorial ID card
  • Any ID card issued by the Canadian Government

 

Note: Applicants must provide supporting documents if the name mentioned in any of the documents provided is not the same as the one mentioned in the SIN application form.

 

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Receiving and Updating your SIN

The ESDC states that SIN applications are usually processed within 5 working days if "everything is in order". Temporary residents whose SIN starts with a 9 must keep their SIN record updated to make sure that the expiry date is the same as the one mentioned in their work permit. Canadian residents will receive a new expiry date after their SIN record gets updated.

 

Forgotten, lost or stolen SIN

. The ESDC states that applicants who have forgotten their SIN can access it from the following documents:  

 

• Income tax return
• Employment record
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution

 

A new SIN is only issued if the previous one was found to have been fraudulently used. Therefore, candidates must keep their SIN private and protect it from all threats.

 

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