Social Insurance Number (SIN) — Guide for Temporary Residents

Three things to check before reading further

Your SIN number does not change after you receive your PGWP — only the expiry date on your SIN record is updated at Service Canada. You do not apply for a new SIN.
You cannot update your SIN while your PGWP application is pending — but you may continue to work if you applied before your permit expired. Verify your specific situation with IRCC before making any decisions.
Email notifications from IRCC are not accepted as a primary document at Service Canada — you need the physical permit or portal-issued document, not the approval email.

01 Who this page is for

✓ Applies to you if

You hold a study permit stating "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada
You hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
You hold an open work permit or employer-specific work permit
You are updating an existing SIN after receiving a new work permit

✗ Does not apply if

You are in Canada on a visitor visa only
Your study permit does not include work authorization
You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Always verify your eligibility directly with Service Canada before applying. This page cannot determine whether you qualify.

02 Documents you need

Primary document — required
Work permit issued by IRCC — your PGWP, open work permit, or employer-specific work permit.
OR study permit that explicitly states "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada.
The permit must be the actual document — not a screenshot and not an email notification.
Secondary document — required
Passport (most common), provincial or territorial government-issued photo ID, or other Canadian government-issued photo ID. Must confirm your identity. All documents must be in English or French — bring an authorized translation if not.
Not accepted
Email notifications from IRCC. If your name differs between documents, you will also need a supporting name-change document (marriage certificate, legal name change order).

Verify the complete document list before applying: Required documents — Service Canada ↗

03 Applying for a SIN — first time

01

Confirm your permit includes work authorization

Your study permit must explicitly state "may accept employment" or "may work" in Canada. A PGWP or work permit includes this by default. A study permit without that wording does not qualify. Do not apply until you have the permit in hand.
02

Gather your documents

Primary: your work or study permit. Secondary: passport or government-issued photo ID. Have originals ready before you begin, regardless of which method you choose.
Required documents — Service Canada
03

Apply online — recommended for most applicants

Submit at sin-nas.canada.ca. Your SIN is viewable via My Service Canada Account (MSCA) in about 5 business days. There is no fee to apply for a SIN.
Apply online — Service Canada
In person at a Service Canada office: SIN issued the same visit if documents are in order. Originals reviewed but not surrendered. Use if you need your SIN urgently. By mail: about 20 business days — not recommended if time-sensitive.
04

Receive your SIN confirmation

You receive a confirmation — not a physical card. Your SIN is a 9-digit number. SINs issued to temporary residents begin with 9. This is standard and expected.

ℹ️ SINs starting with 9 are issued to all temporary residents authorized to work in Canada. This is normal. It does not restrict your work authorization beyond what is already stated on your permit.
05

Give your SIN number to your employer

Your employer needs your SIN before your first pay period. Provide the 9-digit number. There is no card to show. Your employer is required by law to collect your SIN and may not use it for purposes beyond those required by law.

04 After you apply

Processing times by method

Online About 5 business days. SIN viewable in My Service Canada Account (MSCA). Recommended.
In person Same visit if documents are in order. Originals reviewed, not surrendered. Use for urgent needs or complex documents.
By mail About 20 business days. Not recommended if you need your SIN before starting work.

ℹ️ Service Canada stopped issuing SIN cards in 2014. Your SIN is a number — confirmed via MSCA or a confirmation letter. You give your employer the 9-digit number. No card or physical document is presented.

05 Updating your SIN after your PGWP arrives

When your PGWP is issued, your SIN number stays the same — but the expiry date on your SIN record must be updated at Service Canada to match your new permit. This is a required step. Online, in person, and by mail are all available for this update.

PGWP-to-SIN update — in order

PGWP submitted

Maintained status begins. You cannot update your SIN record yet. If you applied before your study permit expired, you may be able to keep working. Verify your situation with IRCC.
PGWP approved

IRCC issues an approval. Physical permit mailed to your address on file. Wait for the physical document — it is required for the next step.
Physical permit received

Apply to Service Canada — online, in person, or by mail — with your PGWP as the primary document and passport or government ID as secondary. Purpose: update the expiry date on your existing SIN record.
SIN record updated

Your SIN number does not change. The expiry date on the record updates to match your PGWP expiry. Online update: about 5 business days. In person: same visit.
Notify your employer

Your employer needs to know the SIN record expiry date has changed. Your SIN number is unchanged — only the expiry date on file is different.

Official source: Service Canada — Update your SIN record ↗

"Once IRCC authorizes you to continue working in Canada, you must apply to Service Canada with your new immigration document to update the expiry date on your SIN record. The expiry date on both your SIN record and your immigration document must match." — Service Canada — Update your Social Insurance Number record ↗

06 While waiting — maintained status and your SIN

What the official source says "If your SIN is expired, you may continue to work while waiting for your new immigration document if you maintain your status during the processing."

Maintained status applies when you applied to extend your permit before it expired
You cannot update your SIN record until your new permit is issued by IRCC
Once your PGWP arrives, updating your SIN record is required
Verify your specific situation with IRCC before making any employment decisions

Source: Service Canada — Update your SIN record ↗ · IRCC helpcentre — expired SIN and maintained status ↗

07 Employer situations — what to know

These are common situations where employers may be uncertain about SINs starting with 9 or expired SIN records. This section is informational — it is not employment or legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.

"Your SIN expires next month — you cannot continue working"

Your SIN expiry follows your work permit expiry. If you applied to extend your permit before it expired and are on maintained status, you may be able to continue working even with an expired SIN while your application is pending. Verify your situation directly with IRCC. IRCC guidance on expired SIN and maintained status ↗
"A SIN starting with 9 means you are not fully authorized to work"

SINs beginning with 9 are the standard SIN issued to all temporary residents authorized to work in Canada. The 9-prefix indicates temporary resident status — it does not limit work authorization beyond what is already stated on the work permit itself.
"We need to see your SIN card"

Service Canada stopped issuing physical SIN cards in 2014. SINs are confirmed by a letter (online: viewable in MSCA). The 9-digit number is the SIN. If written proof is requested, a Service Canada confirmation letter or MSCA printout is the correct document.
"Your T4 shows an expired SIN — that is a problem at tax time"

For temporary residents, a SIN expiry appearing on a T4 is expected when the permit expired during that tax year. This is normal SIN record behaviour. Once you have received your new permit and updated your SIN record at Service Canada, the updated expiry date applies going forward. Employers with questions can review the Service Canada employer SIN page ↗.
"We cannot process payroll — your SIN is expired and you are on maintained status"

If you applied to extend your permit before it expired and are on maintained status, continued employment may be permitted. Employers can review the Service Canada employer SIN guidance ↗ and IRCC maintained status documentation. For complex employment situations, both parties should seek appropriate professional advice.

08 Common mistakes

Waiting too long after the physical PGWP arrives

You cannot update your SIN during maintained status — the physical permit must be in hand first. Once it arrives, update your SIN record as soon as possible. The expiry date on your SIN record and your immigration document must match.
Not informing the employer after the SIN record is updated

When your SIN record is updated, the expiry date on file changes. Your employer needs to know. Your SIN number itself has not changed — only the expiry date.
Bringing an email from IRCC instead of the actual permit

Email notifications from IRCC are not accepted as a primary document at Service Canada. Bring the physical permit or the portal-issued document. Confirm accepted formats on the official required documents page ↗ before your visit.
Applying before the work-authorized permit is in hand

You need the actual permit before applying — not an approval email, not a portal notification, not a screenshot. Wait until you have received the physical permit or the portal-issued document that explicitly authorizes work.

09 Official Service Canada and IRCC links

More guides coming

Health coverage after graduation and work permit transitions — coming soon.

This page is for educational and navigational purposes only.
It does not constitute legal or immigration advice. All steps link directly to official Government of Canada sources. Immigration rules change — always verify current requirements with IRCC directly before submitting any application. For advice specific to your situation, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer.