How do I get a SIN as a newcomer to Canada?
Apply at a Service Canada centre in person — the fastest option, with your SIN issued during the visit — or apply online or by mail. Bring a primary identity document (PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence for permanent residents, a work or study permit for temporary residents) plus a secondary document such as a passport. Applying is free.
Why the SIN comes first
Your Social Insurance Number is a unique 9-digit number you need to work in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. Employers ask for it on day one, and you cannot file a tax return or apply for benefits like the Canada Child Benefit without one. That is why getting a SIN is usually the very first item in any first-90-days money setup.
Service Canada no longer issues plastic SIN cards. Instead, you receive a Confirmation of SIN letter. Your number itself is what matters — keep it in a safe place.
What documents do I need?
You need two things:
- A primary identity document proving your identity and your legal status in Canada. What qualifies depends on your status:
- Permanent residents: PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Temporary residents: a work permit, or a study permit that states you "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada, issued by IRCC.
- A secondary document confirming your identity, such as a passport (Canadian or foreign) or a Canadian provincial or territorial ID or driver's licence.
All documents must be valid (not expired), in English or French, and — for online applications — clear, complete digital copies of the originals. If the name on your documents differs from the name on your application, you may need a supporting document such as a marriage certificate.
Where can I apply? Three options
In person at a Service Canada centre — fastest. Bring your original documents to the nearest centre. If everything is in order, you get your SIN during the visit. No appointment is normally needed, and there is no fee.
Online — convenient. Use the online SIN application on the Canada.ca website and upload clear digital copies of your documents. This is a good option if the nearest centre is far away or you prefer not to carry original documents around.
By mail — for remote areas. If you live more than 100 kilometres from the nearest Service Canada centre, or you are otherwise unable to apply in person, you may be eligible to apply by mail. You send original documents with the application form to the Social Insurance Registration Office in Bathurst, New Brunswick; they are returned to you with your Confirmation of SIN letter.
What about a SIN for my children?
Children need SINs too — for example, a SIN is required to open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for a child, and parents apply for benefit payments on behalf of children. The rules:
- Anyone aged 12 or older can apply for their own SIN.
- A parent or legal guardian can apply on behalf of children under the age of majority (the legal adult age in their province or territory).
Bring the same types of documents: the child's immigration document plus a passport or other secondary ID.
Temporary SINs: the number that starts with 9
If you are a temporary resident, your SIN starts with the digit 9. This is a 900-series SIN, and it expires on the same date as your work or study permit. When you renew or extend your permit, you must update your SIN record at Service Canada with the new expiry date — an expired SIN can cause problems with your employer and your tax filing.
If you later become a permanent resident, your SIN record does not update automatically. Bring your new PR document to Service Canada so your temporary SIN is converted to a permanent one.
How to protect your SIN
Your SIN is the key to your identity in Canada. Share it only when legally required — for a job, a tax return, a bank account, or government benefits. Be wary of anyone charging you to "process" a SIN application; the real process is always free. If a SIN is misused, contact Service Canada and the police, and consider placing a fraud alert with Canada's credit bureaus.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a SIN?
In person at a Service Canada centre, you receive it during your visit. Online and mail applications take longer while documents are verified, so if you need to start work quickly, go in person.
Is there a fee to apply for a SIN?
No. SIN applications are completely free through every channel — in person, online, and by mail. Anyone asking for payment to get you a SIN is running a scam.
Can I start working before I receive my SIN?
You can begin work in insurable employment once you have applied for a SIN, so apply as soon as you start a job rather than waiting. Give the number to your employer as soon as you receive it.
Do visitors or tourists need a SIN?
No. Only people authorized to work in Canada — citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents with work authorization — can obtain a SIN. Visitors without work authorization are not eligible.
Your SIN is the key that unlocks work, taxes, and benefits in Canada — get it in your first week if you can. Add it to your Newcomer Money Starter Checklist as step one, right alongside opening a bank account.
Newcomer Tax Starter Kit — CA$19
The Starter Kit’s first-return checklist starts with your SIN.
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