Social Insurance Number (SIN)

To work in Canada, you need a SIN from Service Canada and you must meet the various requirements. Just having a SIN does not mean you are automatically eligible to work in Canada.

The SIN application is free. The application for your first SIN or a SIN extension can be submitted in person or online. When you apply to extend your SIN as a temporary resident in Canada, the number doesn't change.

What documents do I need to apply for a SIN?

To apply for your SIN for the first time, or to extend your SIN, you will need the following documents when applying:

In person

1. Your original work permit

If you don’t have a work permit, your study permit must have an R186 work condition

2. Your original passport or original Canadian government-issued ID with your legal name and date of birth

OR

Online

1. A digital copy of your work permit

If you don’t have a work permit, your study permit must have an R186 work condition

2. A digital copy of the photo page of your passport or a digital copy of your Canadian government-issued ID with your legal name and date of birth

3. Proof of your address in Canada

Your proof of address must have your name on it and match the name on your other documents
The address must match your mailing address in the online application form otherwise Service Canada will likely refuse your application
See the list of example of acceptable proof of address

Your SIN will not be issued longer than your study permit and/or work permit expiration date. If the current name you are using is different than the name stated on your documents, when applying either in person and online, you also need to provide an additional support document. Information about the supporting documents can be found on the Employment and Social Development Canada website, including the requirement of official translations for documents not in English or French.

How do I apply without a work permit?

Your study permit must have one of the following conditions or remarks:

May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.
May accept employment on the campus of the institution at which registered in full-time studies.
May work 20 hours per week off-campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in section 186(v) of Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

Note: If your study permit does not have one of the above conditions or remarks, speak to one of our immigration consultants for help determining whether you should apply for an amendment or to change conditions of your study permit.

Exception: If ‘This permit does not permit the holder to engage in on or off campus employment in Canada’ is printed on your study permit and you have since become eligible to work on or off campus, you must apply to change conditions of your study permit, which is the same process as applying to extend your study permit, but you also need to include a letter of explanation for the reasons you are applying and provide official documents showing how you overcame the restriction.

How do I apply in person?

Take your original documents with you to a Service Canada location for a walk-in appointment. If you provide the correct documents, your SIN is issued at the appointment. The closest Service Canada to campus is the Kitchener Service Canada Centre or you can visit one of the other Service Canada offices.

How do I apply online?

After collecting and scanning your supporting documents, fill out Employment and Social Development Canada's online Social Insurance Number Application form. The information you submit on the online form should match your primary document.

If this is your first time applying for a SIN, select ‘First Social Insurance Number’ under ‘Application Type’. If you are extending your SIN, select ‘Change of the Expiry Date (900 series SIN)’.

Remember, the mailing address you provide in the online form must match the address on your proof of address document. If it does not, Service Canada will likely refuse your application.

If your application is approved, you'll receive a SIN by mail within 20 business days from the date you applied. If more than 25 business days pass and you haven't received your SIN, you should call Employment and Social Development Canada.