Getting your Canadian Social Insurance Number

Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a straightforward and mandatory step if you want to work during your IEC adventure in Canada.

What’s a “SIN”?

A SIN is a unique number

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a unique nine-digit number that identifies Canadian citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents when they apply for benefits and services from government programs. It’s also used for tax reporting purposes, so you will need to provide it to your employer when you start working.

If you have an IEC work permit (Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op), you will be issued a SIN that begins with a “9.” It means that you are a temporary resident.

A SIN is a confidential number

Watch out for identity theft!

You will have to share your SIN with your employer and your financial institution when you open a bank account (especially if you open a savings account, since interest must be reported on your tax return—the bank will issue a T5 statement at the end of the year).

However, landlords or phone providers aren’t supposed to ask for your SIN. Take a minute to read Who can ask for your SIN to know when you do or don’t have to provide your SIN.

A SIN is mandatory to work in Canada

Employers are required to request your SIN and record the number within three days of your start date.

Note that if you’re an unpaid intern with an International Co-op permit, you don’t have to apply for a SIN.

A SIN doesn’t give IEC work permit holders access to health benefits

The SIN is often used by Canadian citizens to apply for benefits and services from government programs. As an IEC work permit holder, you have the right to work in Canada but you are not automatically covered by the provincial/territorial health care systems. Basically, if you need medical care, you have to be prepared to pay for it.

This is why the Government of Canada makes it mandatory to buy insurance.

Applying for a SIN as a temporary resident

Where to go

Your SIN can be issued at any Service Canada office. Enter your address or postal code to find a Service Canada office near you.

You can also apply online but it takes a lot longer to process, which may inhibit you starting work in those first crucial months of your IEC experience. Therefore, we recommend you get your SIN in person in your first few days in Canada.

You may also apply by mail if you live over 100 kilometres from a Service Canada centre… but, presuming you will first arrive into a bigger city, it’s best to apply in person before heading to a very remote corner of the country!

When to apply

In short, as soon as possible after landing in Canada. Note that you can’t apply for your SIN before coming to Canada since you need to show your work permit, which will only be issued when you go through immigration at the border.

Documents to provide

As a temporary resident, you must provide your IEC work permit and your passport. Students must provide their study permit. A secondary supporting document will be required if the name you use is different from the name on your passport.

What address should I use?

If you’ve just arrived in Canada and don’t have a long-term address yet, it’s fine to provide the address of your hostel, hotel, Airbnb, friend’s house, etc. Most newcomers are in the same boat!

What to expect

When you arrive at the Service Canada office, you will join the queue (we recommend arriving at opening time to avoid too long of a wait). When it’s your turn, you will be called to the front desk and asked the purpose of your visit. Say you need to get a SIN. You will confirm you have the required supporting documents with you.

You’ll then be sent to a waiting room with a numbered ticket. When your number is called, go to the booth you have been called to and present your documents. Your SIN will be issued on the spot if you have provided the required supporting documents. The good news is this process is free!

SINs and change of immigration status

Your SIN after getting a new work permit as a temporary resident

As a temporary resident, your SIN is valid only until the expiry date indicated on your work permit. When your work permit expires, so does your SIN.

If you get another work permit, you keep the same SIN but you still have to go to a Service Canada office to update your record.

Applying for a SIN as a permanent resident

Permanent residents also have to apply for a SIN. Different supporting documents are required; you can see the full list here.

If you were previously a temporary resident and had a SIN beginning with a “9,” you must apply for a new SIN—congrats, this one is for life, with no expiry date!

Lost SIN? Found a SIN? Any other questions?

Check out After you receive your SIN—the page is full of advice for all SIN-related matters.

These links are also useful:

• Social Insurance Number explained by Service Canada
• Fraud and identity theft: Do’s and Don’ts to protect yourself and your SIN