A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada. You must have valid immigration status in Canada to apply for a SIN. There is no fee to apply for a SIN. A valid work permit is required to obtain a SIN.

Service Canada requires individuals to apply in person. For application instructions and required documentation visit the Service Canada website. SIN applications can be made at the nearest Service Canada Centre. The St. John’s and Corner Brook Service Canada Centre locations are listed below.

St. John’s Service Canada Centre
100 Hebron Way
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Corner Brook Service Canada Centre
Joseph R. Smallwood Building
1 Regent Square
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

If your documentation is complete, you'll get a Social Insurance Number at the time of application and will be provided with a "Confirmation of SIN" letter to provide to your hiring department for payroll purposes.

If your SIN begins with a “9” it will have an expiry date. Normally this date will correspond with your documentation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) authorizing you to work in Canada. You will need to update your SIN record if you receive new work authorization documents from IRCC to ensure that the expiry date on your SIN always corresponds with the expiry date on your document from IRCC.

For information on updating your SIN visit here.