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Obtaining Your Social Insurance Number

If you intend to work in Canada, and be paid for your work, you must apply for a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) as soon after your arrival as possible. It is valid for 1 year for participants of International Experience Canada.

A SIN is the Canadian government’s way of cataloguing workers, similar to the U.S. social security number or Australia’s tax file number. While you don’t need a SIN to look for work, you will need one so that the employer can pay you.

How To Get Your SIN:

  1.  Pick up a SIN application form at:
    1. The airport when you arrive
    2. Any Canada Post outlet
    3. Service Canada office
  2. Bring to any Service Canada office:
    1. Your completed SIN application form
    2. Your passport
    3. Your Canadian work permit, stapled into your passport

You can expect to receive your SIN the same day you apply. The SIN card will be sent to you by mail within ten business days. While SIN cards are free, there is a $10.00 replacement charge should yours get lost, stolen or misplaced.

Download the full Guide For Participants Coming To Canada (PDF* 570 KB) brochure.

For more information about International Experience Canada, please contact us.

* If you require a plug-in or third-party software to view this file, please visit the alternative formats section of our help page.

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Date Modified:
2012-02-16