In Canada, temporary foreign workers and international students with a Social Insurance Number (SIN) starting with the number "9" can update their SIN online, in person at a Service Canada location, or through the mail.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary foreign workers, and international students all require a valid SIN in order to gain insurable employment, access government benefits and programs, and file income tax.
Make sure to apply for renewal well before your SIN’s expiry date, which is located on your Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) documents. Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not need to renew their SIN unless they legally change their name or gender designation. Otherwise, their numbers do not expire.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew your SIN online, in person at a Service Canada location, or through the mail.
- Foreign workers and international students with a SIN with an expiry date must begin the SIN renewal process before the expiry date listed on their IRCC documents.
- Your SIN allows you to gain insurable employment, access government programs and benefits, and to file income tax .
What is a Social Insurance Number?
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need in order to work in Canada, access government programs and benefits, and to pay your income tax.
Service Canada is in charge of issuing SINs. A SIN can take three forms:
- Paper (Confirmation of SIN letter)
- A plastic card
- Digitally via your My Service Canada Account
The Government of Canada stopped issuing plastic cards after 2014, but if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and still have one, it remains valid. Since 2014, SINs have been issued digitally.
What does the Government of Canada do with my SIN?
The Government of Canada uses your SIN to identify you. It also uses SINs as a file or account number in order to process data about people living and working in Canada.
Your SIN is used to identify you for tax purposes, as well as when you access any programs, benefits, or pensions from the government.
Your SIN is unique to you, and it is illegal for anyone else to use it. Only share it with people you trust.
Documents needed to renew your SIN
You will need to supply the proper documents in order to get your SIN renewed – a primary identity document, a secondary identity document, proof of address, and in some instances, a supporting document.
Documents needed by foreign workers and international students to renew SIN
Foreign workers and international students with a SIN carrying an expiry date and beginning with the number "9" need a document from each of the following categories when applying for a SIN renewal online or in person at a Service Canada location:
- Primary identity document: Work permit issued by IRCC or CIC; study permit issued by IRCC or CIC indicating the permit holder "may accept employment" or “may work” in Canada; visitor record issued by IRCC or CIC showing you are authorized to work in Canada; diplomatic identity card and a work authorization issued by Department of Foreign Affairs.
- Secondary identity document: Driver's license, government-issued photo ID, Canadian provincial or territorial ID card, passport.
- Proof of address: Bank statement, lease agreement, bill, credit card bill, mortgage statement.
- Supporting document: Legal name change certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, adoption certificate, status verification document, request to amend record of landing.
If applying for a SIN renewal through the mail, foreign workers and international students must submit a copy of a primary identity document, proof of address, and a supporting document (not a secondary identity document).
To apply for a SIN renewal through the mail, complete the "Form Detail" application form and mail it to the following address:
- Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1, Canada
If applying for renewal by mail, you must submit original documents to Service Canada. Once your application has been processed, Service Canada will mail your documents back to you.
Documents needed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents to renew SIN
Canadian citizens and permanent residents renewing their SIN due to a name change or a gender designation change must supply one document from each of the following categories with their application if applying online or in person at a Service Canada location:
- Primary identity document: Provincial or Territorial birth certificate issued by the relevant vital statistics agency; certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued by IRCC or CIC; certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad issued by CIC before 1977.
- Secondary identity document: Driver's license, government-issued photo ID, Canadian provincial or territorial ID card, passport.
- Proof of address: Lease agreement, bank statement, bill, credit card bill, mortgage statement.
- Supporting document: Legal name change certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, adoption certificate, status verification document, request to amend record of landing.
As with foreign workers and international students, Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not need to provide a secondary identity document if applying for SIN renewal through the mail.
How to renew your SIN
If you're a foreign worker, an international student, a Canadian citizen, or a permanent Canadian resident, you can renew your SIN online.
This can be done online, in person, or through the mail.
Renewing your SIN online
- Fill out the application (found here: Terms And Conditions Of Use)
- Scan and include the necessary documents (as noted above)
- Await the government’s response
Renewing your SIN in person
- Request an in-person appointment (found here: Service Request Form)
- Go to any Service Canada location
- Bring all necessary documents with you
- You will get your SIN that day
- You will get to take your documentation home with you
Renewing your SIN by mail
- Print, fill out, and sign the application form (found here: Form Detail)
- Include a hard copy of a primary identity document and a supporting document
- Mail to Service Canada, Social Insurance Registration Office, PO Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1, Canada
Checking your SIN renewal status
If you renew your SIN in person at a Service Canada location and everything is in order, your application will be processed during your visit.
If you renew your SIN online, it will be processed in five business days.
Renewing your SIN by mail will take longer – up to 20 business days, so long as everything is in order.
How to find your SIN
If you can’t find your SIN, the easiest place to do so is online through your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). Just sign into your account and you’ll be able to see your SIN.
You can also find your SIN by finding it on various forms:
- Income tax return
- Tax slips
- RRSP contribution forms
- Record of employment
If you can’t find your SIN number in any other of the locations above, contact Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for help in finding your SIN.
What if your temporary SIN expires?
If you apply to renew your work permit and it – and your temporary SIN – expires before the IRCC makes a decision on your status, you can continue working/studying but must remain in Canada during this time. This means your status will be considered "maintained", meaning you can stay in Canada with your expired SIN.
Once IRCC authorizes you to remain in Canada, you can then apply with your new immigration documents to renew your SIN. Your new SIN’s expiry date must match that of your updated immigration documents.
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How to update a SIN number in CRA?
You can update your SIN number in three ways – online at Service Canada’s website, in person at a Service Canada location, or by printing, completing, and signing the SIN application form and mailing it and supporting documents to Service Canada.
Is it possible to update my SIN number online?
Yes, you can renew your SIN online by visiting Service Canada’s website. First, you fill out the online SIN application, then scan and upload the necessary documents. Once you've submitted the application, expect a response within 5 business days
Is it important to update your SIN number?
If there's an expiration date on it, then you must update your SIN. It's important that you have an updated SIN in order to gain insurable employment, access government programs and benefits, and file your taxes.
How many days will it take to update my SIN number?
If you renew your SIN in person at a Service Canada location, your updated SIN should be processed during your visit. If renewed online, it'll take about 5 days to process. If via mail, about 20 days.
How much does it cost to update a SIN number?
There is no fee charged when applying for a new SIN or when requesting a renewal – it's completely free. This is true for all Canadian citizens, permanent residents, international students, foreign workers, and everyone else.
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