If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident, you will have a Social Insurance Number. Applying for your social insurance number (SIN) is one of the first things to do after you arrive in Canada. When you apply to Service Canada for your SIN, you will receive a nine-digit number. This number is vital because it allows you to work in Canada and access government programs and benefits. Your SIN is issued only for your use. Any legal resident over 12 can get a social insurance number in Canada. Learn more about the steps to complete your SIN application and how and when to use it.
When to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number
You will need your SIN when you get a job, and complete your tax information, and you may even require it to open a bank account. So, apply for your SIN within the first two weeks of arriving in Canada. Settlement agencies can help you to complete your social insurance number application, and provide many other useful services to newcomers!
Applying for Your SIN in Canada
Applying for your SIN in Canada is completely free. There are three ways that you can apply for your SIN:
- In person at a Service Canada Centre
- By mail
You’ll Need These Documents to Complete Your Social Insurance Number Application
- Primary Identity Document: This document should prove your identity and legal status in Canada. This document will depend on whether you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident. You can provide your certificate of Canadian citizenship, PR card, work/study permit, or birth certificate.
- Secondary Document: A secondary document has your legal name and date of birth. This could be a passport, a driver’s license, or any other Canadian government-issued ID card.
- Supporting Document: You may need to provide a supporting document if any document you provided has a different name than the one you currently use. A supporting document could include a certificate of divorce, a legal change of name certificate, or an adoption order.
How to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number in Person
You can visit a Service Canada Centre to apply for SIN in person. You can make an appointment online through the eServiceCanada – Service Request Form. Once you make an appointment, you need to make sure you bring the correct documents with you (see documents needed above).
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All the documents you provide when applying in person must be original. The advantage of applying for SIN in person is that you will get your SIN the very same day. For the other two methods of applying, you may have to wait another month before getting a valid SIN.
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How to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number by Mail
If you apply by mail, you can only submit original documents. The documents will be returned to you by mail once your application is complete. You will have to print, complete, and sign the SIN Application Form. If you are unable to print the application form, you can order one by calling the toll-free number: 1-866-274-6627
The documents required for applying by mail are quite similar to that of applying in person ((see documents needed above).
How to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number Online
If you apply for SIN online, you will need clear and legible digital copies of all the required documents.
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It is a good idea to call Service Canada or check eServiceCanada to get the most up-to-date information. The required documents and/or the process of applying for SIN can change, so double-checking the requirements is always a good idea.
Protecting Your SIN and Avoiding Scams
As a newcomer (including international students), it’s important to understand how and when to provide your SIN. For example, it’s essential to keep your SIN confidential. It is not a document you will need to access very often. Someone getting their hands on your SIN could lead to the loss of government benefits, tax refunds, and identity theft. If someone uses your SIN to commit fraud, it would be you who takes the blame. Similarly, if someone uses your SIN to work illegally in Canada, you must pay tax on income you didn’t receive.
A common scam that newcomers can be a victim of occurs when unknown parties represent themselves as a government of Canada agency. The caller states that your social insurance number has been breached or compromised. The caller will request your personal information including your SIN and request payment (often in cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards). This is a serious red flag since Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency will never contact you by phone or email to request your SIN or credit card number.
Tips to Keep Your SIN Safe
As mentioned earlier, you do not need your SIN for your day-to-day life. Because of this, you don’t need to carry your SIN in your wallet or take it with you wherever you go. It is a better idea to store it in a safe place. Some other steps you can take to protect your SIN card are:
- Only provide your SIN where it is legally required
- Never using your SIN as identification. It is not an identity document and shouldn’t be used as one
- Shred any paper records that include your SIN.
Many places that don’t legally need your SIN may ask for it. While it is not necessary, it is still legal. So, it’s important to know when you need to give your SIN when you don’t. If you are applying for a job, renting property, or are asked to prove your identity, you may be asked for your SIN. However, you are not obliged to provide your SIN for these actions and it is strongly recommended that you don’t.
Completing your social insurance number application is a vital first step when you arrive in Canada. Ideally, you should complete this activity within your first two weeks of arriving. This nine-digit number is essential to begin working in Canada and to access other government services and benefits!
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
