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  2. Obtaining a Social Insurance Number

Obtaining a Social Insurance Number

What Is It?

  • A nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada. See Service Canada site
    • Numbers that begin with a "9" are issued to temporary workers who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents
    • These numbers are temporary and valid only until the expiry date printed on the front of the card
  • Each SIN is issued to one person only; can not be used by anyone else

How Do I Get One

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada. Each SIN is issued to one person only. It cannot legally be used by anyone else. You are responsible for protecting your SIN. Store your SIN card in a safe place. Don’t keep it with you.

What do I need to bring with me in order to apply for a SIN?

  1. Valid Work Permit - issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (such as an Off-Campus Work Permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit) or a contract of employment from a learning institution or employer on campus. This contract must show the start and end date of employment and these dates must fall within the study permit dates.
  2. Valid Study Permit
  3. Valid passport
  4. Application form - you can obtain an application form at the Service Canada Centre office the same day you apply for your SIN.

Where do I apply for a SIN?

Service Canada Centre in Lethbridge

Office Information
Address
 101 - 920 2A Avenue North
Hours of service
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm

If you live outside of Lethbridge, you can visit the following website to find the nearest Service Canada Centre to you:

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml

What kind of SIN will I get?

Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) that begin with a "9" are issued to temporary workers who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents. These SINs are temporary and valid only until the expiry date printed on the front of the card.

If you are a holder of a SIN card that begins with a "9", it is important that you renew your SIN card to ensure that the expiry date always corresponds with the expiry date on your document from Citizenship and Immigration Canada authorizing you to work in Canada.

Where do I obtain more information about SIN?

You can visit the following website for more information about Social Insurance Numbers:

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sc/sin/index.shtml