Introduction
The Social Insurance Number in Canada, also known as SIN, is a unique nine-digit number for your taxes, government benefits, processing income, employment insurance premiums, and retirement pension plans, issued by Service Canada.
The Canadian SIN serves as a personal identifier available for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or temporary residents with a valid permit. You need a SIN to work in Canada, submit taxes, access government programs, and earn interest on your bank account.
You can apply for a SIN online or in person at a Service Canada Centre. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to get your Canadian SIN number, what that number is, the required documents, and the step-by-step application process.
Read more about:
- What is your Social Insurance Number in Canada?
- What is the Canadian SIN used for?
- How to get Social Insurance Number for Canada?
- Canada SIN Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
What is your Social Insurance Number in Canada?
There are two main types of Social Insurance Numbers in Canada: permanent SIN and temporary SIN. The permanent SIN is for Canadian citizens and permanent residents and is valid for life. The temporary SIN is for temporary residents and has an expiry date based on your immigration document, such as a work permit or a valid study permit with work authorization.
Both are nine-digit numbers issued by Service Canada. The main difference is that temporary SINs always start with the digit “9”, while permanent SINs do not. Temporary residents must renew their SIN every time it expires. If they change their immigration status and gain permanent residency in Canada, they can apply for a permanent SIN. Examples of immigration programs that can lead to permanent resident status include the Start-up Visa, Express Entry, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). If you don’t plan on living in Canada full time but need to handle financial and legal matters, you will need a SIN to work there, file taxes, and access benefits like the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance.
What is the Canadian SIN used for?
– Processing income: You will need a SIN to report your employment income and passive income. Your employer can ask for it to process the payroll and report your earnings to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
– Employment insurance premiums: You must have a SIN to access Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, so your employer can deduct EI premiums based on your income.
– Tax purposes: The CRA uses your SIN to process your tax records, income, deductions, and credits.
– Access government programs and benefits: The SIN provides full access to Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), some provincial social assistance programs, and other government or federal programs.
– Earning interest on your bank account: The interest earned on bank accounts in Canada, like a savings account, is taxable income. Banks will need your SIN to report the interest income so that you can earn interest.
How do I find my Canadian Social Insurance Number?
Your nine-digit number can be found in three places:
- CRA-related documents: The SIN will be listed on the first page of most documents you submit to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), like T4 employment slips, tax slips for RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) contributions, and income tax returns.
- Confirmation of SIN letter: You will receive a SIN confirmation letter from Service Canada in a paper format. The SIN number is at the top of the document.
- Your personal MSCA account: You can find your SIN by signing up and registering for My Service Canada Account (MSCA). The number will be available after you’ve received the SIN confirmation letter.
Note: Canada no longer issues plastic SIN Cards, but if you already have one and it is still valid, you can keep using it.
Who is eligible for social insurance in Canada?
To be eligible for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident with an authorized permit.
Canadian citizen
As a citizen of Canada you receive a permanent SIN that doesn’t expire. Canadian parents usually register their children at birth through their provincial Newborn Registration Service.
Permanent resident
After you gain permanent residency, you are eligible for a permanent SIN. The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will issue a Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), which you can use to apply for a SIN.
Temporary resident with authorized permit
Temporary residents are eligible for a temporary SIN after receiving a valid permit. Those eligible are temporary foreign workers on a valid work permit, international students authorized for on or off-campus employment, and some refugee claimants.
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Temporary vs Permanent SIN
| Feature | Temporary SIN | Permanent SIN |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it? | Temporary residents, such as temporary foreign workers, some refugee claimants, and international students with a work permit or authorization to work off campus or on campus | Canadian citizens and permanent residents |
| The first digit | Always starts with the number “9” | Doesn’t start with the number “9” |
| Validity | Has an expiry date | Doesn’t expire |
| Renewal | Has to be renewed | Doesn’t need renewal |
How to get Social Insurance Number for Canada?
You can get a new SIN by applying through Service Canada in three ways: in person, online, or by mail.
In person
Find a local Service Canada center. The application requires submitting original and valid identity documents, not photocopies. You will receive your new SIN in paper format, not on plastic cards, on the same day you file it.
Online
Go to the official Service Canada website and follow the directions. Upload digital copies of original documents. If you filed the application correctly, the average processing time is five business days.
If you choose to receive your SIN online, you can see it on your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) after your application has been processed. In this case, you won’t get a physical copy of your SIN confirmation letter by mail.
By mail
Submit original identity documents by mail and send them to the Social Insurance Registration office. For correctly filed applications, the average mail processing time is about 20 business days.
When should you give your SIN?
Your SIN is kind of like a “master key” and you should protect it. Sharing it with the wrong person could result in identity theft, privacy invasion, loss of bank credits, tax refunds, and government benefits.
It’s best to take general precautions to protect your SIN. Here are a couple of examples where you can give out your SIN and when you shouldn’t.
| When to give your SIN | When NOT to give your SIN |
|---|---|
| To an employer when you are hired. | To reply to text messages or emails asking for your SIN. |
| To file your annual income tax return with the CRA. | To rent an apartment or buy a house. |
| To financial institutions where you plan to earn interest, like credit unions and banks. | To apply for a job or a loan. |
| To access social benefits and government programs. | To random websites or in public forums. |
Required Documents for Social Insurance Number (SIN)
As a first-time applicant, you will need some paperwork to submit your application.
These are the documents you will need:
- Form GC-NAS2120: If you apply for a SIN by mail, you will fill out the form with personal information, current status, and reasons for applying.
- Primary identity document: To prove your current status in Canada, you will need a Canadian citizenship certificate, birth certificate, permanent resident card, work permit, valid study permit, etc.
- Secondary documents: For a proof of address and identity you will need a passport, driver’s license, or a provincial ID card.
- Supporting documents: If you recently changed your name, you need additional paperwork, such as a marriage statement, certificate of divorce, legal name change certificate, adoption order, etc.
Note: Always bring your original documents – no photocopies. If any of your documents are not in English or French, you will need a certified translation.
Canada SIN Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) comes in different stages. These include:
- Collect all the paperwork. When it is time to apply, you must provide original documents for identification, proof of legal status, and supporting documents.
- Complete and sign the application form. The GC-NAS2120 Form is mandatory for applicants applying via mail, but it is not necessary if you apply online or in person at a local Service Canada Centre. However, you must sign the application form if you want to authorize someone else to apply in person and on your behalf.
- Mail the application form. Send all of your paperwork to the Service Canada Centre via a reliable postal service that allows you to track your packages.
- Wait for officials to review your application. Officials process online applications in about five business days and mail applications in 20 business days. Applying in person has the fastest processing time, since you get a SIN the same day.
- Obtain your SIN. You will receive the nine-digit number online or on paper mailed to your address.
Renewing or Replacing Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
To renew or replace your SIN in Canada, you must apply to Service Canada and update your record with a valid immigration document, such as an extended work permit or study permit. You can apply by mail, at a local office, or online.
If you applied to renew your work permit or study permit, but haven’t received a decision yet, you can continue working in Canada. However, you shouldn’t leave the country until you get a valid immigrant status.
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