Newcomers Guide

SIN number: how to apply for a Social Insurance Number in Canada

By Alex Francisco Updated Sep 30, 2026 Figures checked Sep 30, 2026 10 min read

How do you get a SIN number in Canada?

A SIN number is the 9-digit Social Insurance Number that Service Canada issues free of charge, and you apply online, by mail or in person with one primary status document and one secondary ID. Online applications take about 5 business days and mailed ones about 20. Temporary residents get a SIN starting with 9 that expires with their permit.

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is the 9-digit number you need to work in Canada and to access government programs and benefits; there is no fee to apply.
You can apply online, by mail to the Social Insurance Registration Office in Bathurst, New Brunswick, or in person at a Service Canada Centre with an appointment.
Every application needs one primary document that proves your status in Canada, and applicants who have reached the age of majority in their province also need one valid secondary ID, such as a passport or provincial driver's licence.
Online applications take about 5 business days and mailed applications about 20 business days, if the application is complete; in person, the SIN is given during the visit.
Temporary residents get a SIN that starts with 9 and expires on the same date as their work permit, study permit or visitor record, so it must be updated with every new permit.
Service Canada lists three situations where the law requires your SIN (employment, financial accounts and government programs); a landlord, a car rental or a credit card application does not require it.

— YieldMaple, figures checked against official sources on September 30, 2026. Sources

This guide explains how to get a SIN number in Canada, based on Service Canada’s Social Insurance Number pages on canada.ca checked on September 30, 2026. It is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Service Canada decides every application, so confirm your own case on canada.ca or with the SIN Program, and once your number is issued, check the details on your record in My Service Canada Account.

What is a SIN number?

A SIN number is the 9-digit Social Insurance Number you need to work in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. Service Canada issues it for free, and it is private: it is illegal for anyone else to use your SIN, and you are responsible for protecting it.

Two types exist, and the first digit tells them apart:

Permanent SIN. Issued to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It does not expire.
Temporary SIN (9-series). Issued to temporary residents with a work permit, a study permit that allows work, or a visitor record that authorizes work. It starts with 9 and expires on the same day as the immigration document it was issued with.

Service Canada stopped issuing plastic SIN cards. New applicants receive a confirmation of SIN letter, on paper or in digital form, or view the number online. Old plastic cards remain valid.

How do you apply for a SIN: online, by mail or in person?

You apply for a SIN online, by mail or in person, and the route changes how fast you get the number and whether you part with your documents. Online is the fastest option for most people; in person is the only route that can hand you the number the same day.

Three ways to apply for a SIN, compared

How to read this table: times are Service Canada's estimates for complete applications. A missing or unclear document restarts the clock, because an online application cannot be edited after it is sent.

How you apply	What you send	Processing time	How you get your SIN	When to follow up
Online (fastest)	Upload clear digital copies of both sides, showing the whole document including the borders	About 5 business days for a complete application	View and print in My Service Canada Account (MSCA), or a confirmation letter by mail	Call if nothing after 10 business days
By mail	Send original documents to Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1; they are returned by mail	About 20 business days for a complete application	SIN confirmation letter by mail	Call if nothing after 25 business days
In person	Bring original documents to a Service Canada Centre; request an appointment through the online service request form	SIN given during the visit if everything is in order	During the visit; you keep your documents	No follow-up time is published

Online. Scan or photograph both sides of each document so the entire page, including the borders, is visible and readable. If you give an email address you get two emails: one when Service Canada receives the application and one when it is processed. While applying, never leave the device unattended, and close the browser when you finish.

By mail. Send the completed and signed application form with your original documents to Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1. Service Canada returns the originals by mail once the application is complete and is not responsible for documents lost in the mail, which is why a tracked mail service is worth considering. If you cannot print the form, order one by calling 1-866-274-6627.

In person. Request an appointment at a Service Canada Centre through the online service request form, then bring your originals. If everything is in order, you leave with your SIN and keep your documents the whole time. It is the practical choice when a new job starts right away or when you would rather not mail a passport.

A worked example of the online timeline: someone who applies online on Monday, October 5, 2026 can expect the SIN around Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and should call the SIN Program only if nothing has arrived after Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

What documents do you need to apply for a SIN?

To apply for a SIN you need one primary identity document that proves your legal status in Canada and one secondary identity document that confirms who you are. Service Canada requires the secondary document from applicants who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory. If your current name differs from the name on the primary document, add a supporting document for each name change, such as a marriage certificate or a legal change of name certificate.

Primary SIN document by status in Canada

How to read this table: find your status in the first column. You need one document from the middle column plus, if you are an adult, one secondary ID from the list below.

Your status	Primary document Service Canada accepts	Type of SIN issued
Canadian citizen	Birth certificate from the province or territory of birth, certificate of Canadian Citizenship, or Registration of Birth Abroad (issued before 1977)	Permanent, does not expire
Permanent resident	PR card, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) used within 1 year of becoming a PR, or Record of Landing (issued before June 28, 2002)	Permanent, does not expire
Temporary resident (work permit)	Valid work permit issued by IRCC	Starts with 9, expires with the permit
Temporary resident (study permit)	Valid study permit that says you "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada	Starts with 9, expires with the permit
Temporary resident (visitor record)	Visitor record showing you are authorized to work in Canada	Starts with 9, expires with the visitor record
Diplomat	Diplomatic identity card plus a work authorization from Global Affairs Canada	Starts with 9
Born outside Canada and registered under the Indian Act	Foreign birth certificate plus a Certificate of Indian Status	Not stated on the SIN pages
Living outside Canada with no legal status, eligible for CPP, OAS or QPP	Foreign birth certificate or passport, plus a statement of contribution or letter confirming pension or benefit eligibility	For benefits or pension only

The secondary document must be valid, show your full legal name (given and family name) and your date of birth, and be issued by a Canadian government or be a foreign passport. Accepted examples:

a passport, Canadian or foreign
a Canadian driver’s licence
a provincial or territorial ID card
other Canadian government-issued ID

Four document rules cause most rejections:

Expired documents are refused. Service Canada requires every document to be valid, not expired.
The COPR has a shelf life. A Confirmation of Permanent Residence works for a SIN only within one year of becoming a permanent resident; after that, Service Canada wants the PR card. If the card is due, the PR card renewal guide covers timing and documents.
Your permit must say you can work. A study permit counts only if it states you “may accept employment” or “may work” in Canada, and a visitor record only if it shows you are authorized to work. Emails from IRCC are not accepted as the permit.
Translations need the right translator. Documents not in English or French need the original plus a translation by a certified translator, or by a non-certified translator with a sworn affidavit. Family members cannot translate.

Service Canada enters your name exactly as it appears on the primary document. If there is a typo on that document, get the issuing office to correct it before you apply, or the error ends up on your SIN record too.

How does a SIN work for temporary residents?

A SIN for a temporary resident always starts with 9 and expires on the same date as the work permit, study permit or visitor record it was issued with. Renewing a permit extends the expiry date on your SIN record, which must match your newest immigration document. Service Canada says your SIN stays the same unless your status changes; if the number does change, Service Canada notifies the CPP and the CRA, and you tell your employer, your bank and any other government department that uses it.

For international students, workers and their families, three rules matter most:

You can start work as soon as you apply. Service Canada says there is no need to wait for the number before your first shift.
Maintained status keeps you working. If your permit expires after you applied to extend it, you can keep working with the expired SIN until IRCC decides.
Update the record after every new permit. Apply again with the new permit so the expiry dates match, then destroy the old SIN document, which is no longer valid.

An example: a worker whose permit and SIN both expire on March 31, 2027 applies to extend the permit in February. From April 1 the SIN record shows as expired, but the worker can keep working on maintained status. When IRCC issues the new permit, the worker applies to Service Canada with it, and the SIN record is updated to the new permit’s expiry date.

The same update applies when your situation changes. Graduates moving to a post-graduation work permit, spouses who receive a spousal open work permit, and anyone who becomes a permanent resident must update their SIN record with the new document. An expired 9-series SIN also locks you out of My Service Canada Account, since the account needs a valid SIN.

Who can legally ask for your SIN?

Service Canada lists three situations where the law requires your SIN: employment, financial accounts that pay interest or dividends, and government programs such as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Employment Insurance. Other businesses may ask, which is strongly discouraged but not illegal; you can say no, and you cannot be denied a product or service for refusing when the SIN is not legally required.

When you have to give your SIN

How to read this table: an employer is only entitled to your SIN after hiring you, not on the job application.

Who asks	Why the law requires it
Employers	To report your income for tax and social benefits; only required after you are hired and start earning income
Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions	To report income such as interest and dividends for tax purposes
Government programs	Tax returns, Employment Insurance, student loans and grants, public pensions and other benefits

Situations where you do not have to give your SIN

How to read this table: businesses in these situations may still ask, which Service Canada strongly discourages but does not ban. Offer a passport or driver's licence instead.

Situation
A job application (before you are hired)
A credit card, mortgage or line of credit application
Cashing a cheque
Renting a home (application or lease negotiation)
Phone, internet or cable service (except Hydro-Québec, which must collect it under Quebec law)
Renting a car
A medical history questionnaire
Writing a will
Applying to college or university
Requesting your own credit report

The landlord and credit card rows surprise many newcomers, because rental applications often include a SIN box. Leaving it blank and offering other ID is allowed. If a business refuses to serve you, Service Canada suggests speaking with the person in charge first; if that does not settle it, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or contact the association, ombudsman or complaint office of the business that asked.

How do you protect your SIN from fraud?

You protect your SIN by keeping it off your person and sharing it only when the law requires it. Store the confirmation letter at home in a locked cabinet or on a password-protected device, never in your wallet, and shred old papers that show the number.

Service Canada’s scam warnings are specific: never give your SIN over the phone unless you made the call and know it is legally required, and be suspicious of any call, text or email that says your SIN is compromised, offers to replace it, threatens to lock or cancel it, or demands urgent action. When in doubt, hang up and contact the organization directly using a number you look up yourself.

Warning signs that someone is using your SIN include a CRA reassessment for income you never earned, credit enquiries you do not recognize, and unfamiliar employers in My Service Canada Account. If that happens:

Who to contact if your SIN is misused

How to read this table: ask the credit bureaus about a fraud alert, which tells lenders to contact you before opening new credit in your name. There may be a fee.

Contact	Phone or action
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre	1-888-495-8501 or online report
Equifax Canada	1-800-465-7166
TransUnion Canada	1-800-663-9980
Local police	File a report and ask for a case reference number

A new SIN is rarely the answer. Service Canada issues one only with proof that your SIN was used fraudulently, only at a Service Canada Centre in person, and does not recommend it: the old number stays linked to you, and you must prove you were not involved in any later misuse.

What if your SIN is late, lost or wrong?

If your SIN is late, contact the SIN Program after 10 business days for an online application or 25 business days for a mailed one. Service Canada cannot give out a SIN over the phone, so the call is to find out what is missing, not to collect the number.

The SIN Program contact details:

In Canada (toll-free): 1-866-274-6627, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time
Outside Canada: 1-506-548-7961 (long-distance charges apply), Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 8:30 pm Atlantic time
TTY: 1-800-926-9105

If you forgot your number, sign in to My Service Canada Account, or check your income tax return, a T4 slip, a Record of Employment or an RRSP contribution receipt. If you still cannot find it, apply for a Confirmation of SIN, which follows the same process and documents as a first application and confirms your existing number.

Update your SIN record for a legal name change (required by law), a new permit, a change of immigration status or an error on the record. A change of address does not need an update unless you are waiting for a letter by mail.

What should you do after you get your SIN?

After you get your SIN, give it to your employer so your pay is reported correctly, give it to your bank for accounts that earn interest, and use it to file taxes. The usual next steps:

Give it to your employer once you are hired, so income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) deductions are reported under your number.
Open a bank account. Banks need your SIN for accounts that earn interest. The comparison of bank accounts for newcomers covers monthly fees after newcomer promotions end and the documents banks ask for.
Apply for your provincial health card. It is a separate application with its own documents; see the OHIP guide for newcomers to Ontario or the page for your province.
File your first tax return. A SIN is how the CRA links your income and benefit payments; the first tax return guide for newcomers explains the first year.
Know the TFSA rules. The CRA says you need to be a resident of Canada for tax purposes, 18 or older (19 in some provinces and territories, where that is the age to sign a contract) and hold a valid SIN to open a Tax-Free Savings Account, and a new resident’s room starts in the year of residency. The TFSA explainer covers the rules.
Start building credit carefully. You do not have to give your SIN to apply for a credit card; the credit-building guide for newcomers covers the first steps.

Common SIN application mistakes

Applying with a permit that does not say you may work. Contact IRCC about an amended permit first.
Uploading cropped or blurry scans. Online, both sides of each document must be clear with the borders showing.
Using a COPR more than a year after landing. Use the PR card instead.
Forgetting the name-change document when your married or current name differs from your birth certificate or passport.
Paying a third-party site to apply. There is no fee to apply for a SIN.
Letting a 9-series SIN lapse after a new permit arrives, which leaves your SIN record out of step with your permit and locks you out of My Service Canada Account.
Writing your SIN on rental or credit applications when the law does not require it.

What changes next?

Service Canada updates its SIN pages as rules and systems change; the main SIN page shows a last-modified date of September 4, 2026. Processing time estimates and phone wait times are the parts most likely to move. This page is checked against canada.ca at least every three months, and the tables above are updated first when Service Canada changes a rule, a document list or a processing estimate. To see what a first job pays after deductions, try the hourly to salary calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a SIN number in Canada?

Apply to Service Canada online, by mail or in person. You need one primary document that proves your status in Canada (a Canadian birth certificate, a citizenship certificate, a PR card or COPR, or a permit that says you may work) and one valid secondary ID such as a passport. Online is the fastest route, at about 5 business days for a complete application. There is no fee, and anyone 12 or older can apply for their own SIN.

Can I apply for a SIN online?

Yes. The online application on canada.ca lets you upload clear digital copies of both sides of each document, showing the whole document including the borders. Documents must be valid, not expired, and in English or French or translated. If you make a mistake or forget a document, you cannot go back into the application; you have to submit a new one with all the documents again. Close the browser when you finish.

How long does it take to get a SIN number?

About 5 business days if you apply online and about 20 business days by mail, as long as the application is complete. In person, Service Canada gives you the SIN during your visit when everything is in order. Contact the SIN Program if nothing has arrived more than 10 business days after an online application or 25 business days after a mailed one. Service Canada will not give you your SIN over the phone.

What documents do I need to apply for a SIN?

You need one primary identity document that proves your legal status in Canada and one secondary document that confirms your identity. Permanent residents use a PR card, or a COPR within one year of landing. Workers and students use a permit that says they may work. Applicants who have reached the age of majority in their province also need a secondary document that is valid and shows their full legal name and date of birth, for example a passport or a provincial driver's licence.

Is there a fee to get a SIN number?

No. Service Canada states that there is no fee to apply for a SIN, whether you apply online, by mail or in person. Be wary of any website or agent that charges to submit a SIN application for you: the official application is on canada.ca. Costs you may still face include translating foreign documents and postage if you mail your originals.

Why does my SIN start with 9?

A SIN that starts with 9 is issued to temporary residents: people in Canada on a work permit, a study permit that allows work, or a visitor record that authorizes work. It expires on the same date as the immigration document it was issued with. Canadian citizens and permanent residents get a SIN that does not start with 9, is permanent and does not expire.

What happens when my 9-series SIN expires?

Once IRCC issues a new permit, apply to Service Canada with the new document so the expiry date on your SIN record matches it. If your permit expired while an extension application was pending (maintained status), you can keep working with the expired SIN until IRCC decides. An expired 9-series SIN also blocks My Service Canada Account, so update it promptly. Destroy the old SIN document after the extension.

Can I work while waiting for my SIN number?

Yes. Service Canada says temporary residents can start working as soon as they apply for a SIN and do not need to wait for the number. Employers need the SIN to report your income for tax and benefits, and only after you are hired, so tell your employer you have applied and give them the number as soon as it arrives. Keep proof that you applied.

Do I get a SIN card?

No. Service Canada no longer issues plastic SIN cards. You receive a confirmation of SIN letter, in paper or digital form, or you view and print the number in My Service Canada Account. Old plastic cards can still be used. Neither the letter nor a card is an identity document, so do not use either one as ID and do not carry them in your wallet.

Who can legally ask for my SIN?

Service Canada lists three situations where you are legally required to give your SIN: to your employer, after you are hired and start earning income; to banks and other financial institutions, to report interest and dividends for tax; and to government programs such as tax, Employment Insurance, student loans and public pensions. Others can ask, which is strongly discouraged but not illegal, and you cannot be denied a product or service for refusing when the SIN is not legally required.

Does a landlord need my SIN in Canada?

No. Service Canada lists renting a property, including the rental application and lease negotiation, among the situations where you do not have to give your SIN. A landlord can still ask, which Service Canada strongly discourages but does not ban. Offer other ID such as a passport or driver's licence instead. If you are refused, speak with the person in charge, then consider a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

What should I do if my SIN is stolen?

Watch your credit reports with Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, consider a fraud alert, file a police report, and report the fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. You do not have to report it to the SIN Program. A new SIN is only issued with proof of fraud, at a Service Canada Centre in person, and Service Canada does not recommend it because the old number stays yours.

How can I find my SIN if I forgot it?

Sign in to My Service Canada Account to view and print it, or look at your income tax return, a T4 slip, a Record of Employment or an RRSP contribution receipt. If none of those are available, apply for a Confirmation of SIN, which uses the same process and documents as a first-time application. A confirmation does not change your number; a new SIN is not issued.

Rules, rates and sources

Last verified: September 30, 2026
Next scheduled check: December 30, 2026

Rule or table	In effect from	Verified
Social Insurance Number (SIN): how to apply, documents, processing times, temporary 9-series SINs and protection rules	September 4, 2026	September 30, 2026

Official sources

Social Insurance Number (SIN) — Canada.ca (what a SIN is) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Apply for a SIN — Canada.ca (who can apply) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Required documents for SIN — Canada.ca (primary and secondary) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
SIN for temporary residents — Canada.ca (9-series and expiry) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Application status and receiving your SIN — Canada.ca (online) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Protect your SIN — Canada.ca (when the law requires it) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Damaged, forgotten or lost SIN — Canada.ca (where to find your SIN) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
SIN fraud and data breaches — Canada.ca (new SIN not recommended) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Update your SIN record — Canada.ca (address changes) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Contact the SIN Program — Canada.ca (phone lines) — Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)
Opening a TFSA — Canada Revenue Agency (SIN requirement) — Canada Revenue Agency

How we check figures: our methodology and editorial policy.

General information for education, not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice. Rules change — confirm anything you act on with the official source or a licensed professional (for immigration, a lawyer or a licensed consultant registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).