All Canadian residents require a Social Insurance Number to work in Canada and receive most government benefits and services. Here’s how one can get a Social Insurance Number in Canada. 

Specifically, this number should be provided to your employer so they can facilitate and manage access to significant government programs, like Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan. 

In Canada, any citizen or resident aged 12 or older might apply for a SIN. Service Canada enables parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives to apply for a SIN on behalf of children under 12 and adults in the care of others. 

Every SIN is a unique nine-digit number issued by Service Canada to every citizen, permanent resident, and temporary resident. 

 

Applying For A SIN

The first thing to know about how one can get a Social Insurance Number in Canada is that one can apply online or in person at a Service Canada location or by mail.   

However, application requirements might vary slightly depending on the applicant’s situation. For instance, Service Canada requires different documents if a candidate is applying for themselves or on behalf of someone else. In addition, application requirements will differ based on the applicant’s status in Canada, i.e., whether they are a PR, TR, or citizen. 

Note: EDSC advises TRs and PRs in Canada to apply for a SIN within three days of beginning work. ESDC states that a person can begin working in insurable employment only once they apply. 

In any situation, all submitted documents should meet the following criteria. They must: 

  • Be valid, digital copies of original documents 
  • Be clear, legible, and complete 
  • Be in French or English 

The following will highlight the required documents when applying online for a SIN as a PR or TR in Canada. 

Permanent Resident

  • Scenario: Applying for yourself
  • Status in Canada: PR
  • Applying: Online

Primary Identity Document – Either of the following:

  • PR card issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) issued by IRCC
  • Acceptable if used within one year of becoming a PR. After this period, the PR card is required.
  • Record of Landing issued by CIC before June 28, 2002

Secondary Document – Either of the following:

  • A passport (Canadian/ foreign)
  • A Canadian provincial/ territorial ID card or driver’s license
  • Any other Canadian government-issued ID

Note: The secondary document provided must contain the applicant’s full legal name as well as date of birth.

Supporting Document: This document states that the applicant’s most recent name must be used if the name on the primary or secondary document above differs from the name on the SIN application.

Temporary Resident

  • Scenario: Applying for yourself
  • Status in Canada: TR
  • Applying: Online

Primary Identity Document – Any one of the following:

  • Work permit issued by IRCC or CIC
  • Study permit issued by IRCC/  CIC (permit must indicate that the holder has work authorization in Canada)
  • Visitor record issued by IRCC/ CIC (must indicate work authorization in Canada)
  • Diplomatic identity card (alongside a work authorization issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development)

 According to IRCC, TRs with an expired SIN might continue working while waiting for their new immigration document as long as they maintain valid status during processing. 

As soon as IRCC authorizes a TR to continue working in Canada, they should apply to Service Canada with the new immigration document to update the expiry date on their SIN record. 

The expiry date on both your SIN record and your immigration document should match. 

Secondary Document – Either of the following 

  • A passport (Canadian/ Foreign)
  • A Canadian provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s license 
  • Any other Canadian government-issued ID

Note: The secondary document provided should contain the applicant’s full legal name and their date of birth. 

Supporting Document: This legal document states that the applicant’s most recent name used is needed if the name on either the primary or secondary document above is different from the name on the SIN application.

 

Receiving And Updating SIN 

In order to know how one can get a Social Insurance Number in Canada, one must know about receiving and updating the SIN.  

According to ESDC, online SIN applicants will have their application processed within five business days if ‘everything is in order.’ 

Moreover, for temporary residents, RSDC notes that if the SIN you obtain begins with a 9, it is vital to keep your SIN record up to date and ensure that your SIN expiry date matches the expiry date of the IRCC document that permits you to work in Canada. Once your SIN record is updated, you will obtain a SIN with a new expiry date, and your previous SIN will no longer be valid. 

 

Forgotten, Stolen, Or Lost SIN

Your SIN must be kept private and must be protected at all times. 

In addition, ESDC states that Canadian residents who have forgotten their SIN can access this number in a variety of ways, like: 

  • On income tax return
  • On a record of employment  
  • On a Registered Retirement Savings Plan contribution 

For lost or stolen SINs, ESDC notes that Service Canada only issues a new SIN when there is proof that the original SIN was fraudulently used. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the individual to protect their SIN, monitor their bank accounts for fraudulent activity, and take the appropriate action if necessary. 

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