Short answer: A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number you need to work in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. You give it to your employer after you are hired, not when you apply.
Who needs a SIN?
Everyone who works in Canada: citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents who are allowed to work. Temporary residents receive a SIN beginning with the number 9, with an expiry date that matches their permit.
How do you get one?
Apply to Service Canada online, by mail or in person. There is no fee. You will need an original identity document that proves your status, such as a birth certificate, permanent resident card, or work or study permit. Full instructions are on the Service Canada SIN page.
When do you give it to an employer?
After you accept the job. You are expected to provide it within a few days of starting work, and the employer uses it to report your earnings and deductions to the Canada Revenue Agency. If you have applied and are waiting, tell your employer; you can generally start work in the meantime.
When should you not share it?
- on a resume or job application form
- during an interview
- with a “recruiter” who has not made a written offer
- with landlords or retailers who have no legal need for it
A request for your SIN before a job offer is a common sign of a scam. See how to spot job scams.
Who can legitimately ask for it?
Your employer, the Canada Revenue Agency, banks and investment firms where you earn interest or income, and government programs such as Employment Insurance and pensions.
How do you protect it?
Store the number somewhere safe and do not carry the document with you. If you believe someone has used your SIN, contact Service Canada, your bank and the credit bureaus, and report it to the police.
With your SIN in hand, see how to read your first pay stub.
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