Social Insurance Number

The SIN is essential for accessing government services and benefits, and required to work in Canada. If you plan to work while in Canada, either as an on-campus or off-campus employee, or as a graduate teaching assistant, you must have a SIN in order to receive payment for work in Canada. There is no fee to apply for a SIN.

Online Application

You may apply for your SIN online. You can view your SIN digitally on the My Service Canada Account (MSCA) platform within 5 business days if your application has been completed with all required documents. You will still receive your SIN in mail.

In-Person Application

You may also apply in person at a Service Canada office.

Required Documents

• Valid Passport
• Study Permit with working conditions, or Work Permit

SINs that begin with a "9" (also called 900-series SIN) are issued to individuals who are neither Canadian citizens nor Permanent Residents and who need a SIN for employment purposes.

900-series SINs are temporary and have an expiry date that coincides with the date on your primary immigration document (Study Permit or Work Permit) issued to you by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). ¹

Is your Social Insurance Number expiring soon?

For those students who are employed on or off campus, your Social Insurance Number expires on the same date as your Study Permit. In order to avoid interruption of employment, make sure that you apply for a Study Permit renewal well in advance before it expires. This will ensure that there is sufficient time to apply for the renewal of your SIN (which must be done after you receive your renewed Study Permit).

You will need to extend your SIN each time that you extend your stay in Canada (for example, when you extend your Study Permit, or receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit).

Existing 900-series SIN holders updating/renewing their Social Insurance Number, will receive a confirmation of SIN letter with the new expiry date. There is no fee for this service. To renew your Social Insurance Number, please follow the instructions on applying for a Social Insurance Number above. Your previous confirmation of SIN or SIN card is no longer valid and should be destroyed in a secure manner. ²

Your Social Insurance Number is personal information. The SIN is not a piece of identification. It is a client account number for specific Government of Canada programs, such as Employment Insurance or the Canada Pension Plan. Unless it is required by law, it should not be shared. ³ "Each SIN is issued to one person only. It cannot legally be used by anyone else. You are responsible for protecting your SIN. Store any document containing your SIN and personal information in a safe place. Don’t keep it with you." ⁴

Please note that a SIN is no longer required to:

• Complete an Income Tax return or apply for certain tax benefits (Canada Child Tax Benefit)
  • If you are not eligible for a SIN, you can apply for an Individual Tax Number to be used for tax purposes only
• Open a bank account (unless it earns interest or income)

Use your SIN with caution! Do not give your number unless it is required by law. If your SIN is not required by law, ask why it is being requested, how it will be used, and with whom it will be shared and offer a different proof of identity. Service Canada provides information on what to do if an organization asks for your SIN but it is not legally required.

Your Social Insurance Number: A Shared Responsibility. Protect it. Safeguard it.