SIN, short for Social Insurance Number, is a 9 - digit number.
It is used to identify an individual's work status, tax information, and eligibility for receiving government benefits.
Every adult (including temporary residents) must apply for their own SIN.
People with study permits, work permits, permanent residents, and new citizens are eligible to apply.
Without a SIN, employers cannot legally pay salaries, and many banking services cannot be carried out.
Type of Identity | Requirement for SIN | Examples of Purposes |
Work Permit Holders | ✅ Mandatory | Working, opening a bank account, filing taxes, etc. |
Study Permit Holders (eligible to work legally) | ✅ Mandatory | Part - time jobs on and off campus, tax - related purposes |
Permanent Residents (PR) | ✅ Mandatory | Normal employment, accessing benefits, using banking services, etc. |
Visitors/Tourist Visa Holders | ❌ Not eligible to apply | Do not have the eligibility for work or benefits |
A valid passport
Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
A Canadian address (for registration purposes)
A valid passport
A valid study or work permit (must clearly state the terms "permitted to work/study")
Proof of address (required for some in - person applications)
Suitable for new immigrants who have all the required documents and want to avoid queuing.
Log in to the official Service Canada website.
Upload clear scanned copies or photos and fill out the application form.
Generally, you will receive a paper SIN confirmation letter (not a card) via email within 5 - 10 working days.
You can either walk in directly or make an appointment in advance.
Staff will review the documents on the spot, and you can get the SIN number confirmation letter on the same day.
It is recommended to apply as early as possible, preferably within one week after arriving in Canada.
️ You can search for "Service Canada" on Google Maps to find the nearest office.
The SIN number is extremely sensitive personal information. Do not disclose it casually!
Only present it in the following situations:
When applying for a job and providing it to the employer.
When opening a bank account and required by the bank.
When filing taxes or applying for government benefits.
Do not send it to strangers, third - party websites, or disclose it when receiving calls from people claiming to be from the government.
When applying online, it is best to use a desktop computer for easier file uploading.
There are usually many people queuing up for in - person applications. It is advisable to go early in the morning.
After a successful application, you can take a photo of the SIN number with your mobile phone, but avoid storing it in the cloud or email.
The SIN is a paper confirmation letter, and no physical card is provided anymore.