How to get social insurance number
 

Hi, I am due to arive in vancouver in a few weeks on he Bunac programme but the orientation is scheduled for the day I start work. Is it still possible for me to get my own SIN number or can I only recieve it at the Bunac orientation.

thanks

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

Go to the nearest Service Canada office on arrival and you can apply for a SIN there.


There is no way to do it before you get to canada Im afraid.

Employers are technically able to start you off without the SIN in hand, but some choose not to as its additional hassle. They also need to take that leap of faith that you are not working illegally.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

thanks for the reply, how long does it talk to process the application as I arrive on the monday night and start work on the Thursday?

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

I got mine on tuesday last week and it took 30 mins. It was really easy. Good luck :D

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

If you ask they can give you the number at the time you apply I believe, but it takes a few weeks for the official card to arrive in the mail.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

thats good, was worried I might not have been able to start work. Can I ask did you go on the Bunac programme.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

when i went to Service Canada to get my SIN, they issued the number immediately on a piece of paper and the card arrived 8 days later.

MR79

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

Is there any need for children to get a SIN?

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

We did. They will need one at some stage and we thought it would pay to kill two birds with one stone.

I am fairly sure that when we set up RESPs for them their SIN numbers were required.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

Although Mrs jimf isn't working she will need one for the tax return I'm guessing so we may as well get them for the children as well - I don't think there is a cost? Pressumably the children don't need to go to the office in person?

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

Not really, unless you intend to start an RESP savings account, in which case you will need it. Doesnt do any harm though I guess.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

When I filled out my first tax return before I could get my SIN, the CRA gave me a temporary number that wasn't valid for employment purposes. I was told to put all zeros in the SIN section and they'd sort it there.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

Attempted to get SINs for the children today but according to Service Canada as they are in Canada on study permits (all aged 12 or under) they cannot be issued SINs unless they are employed by the school they attend and need to declare income. They said if we opened accounts and the bank wanted SIN numbers we would have to come back and get a notice of refusal letter to give to the bank.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

Do you have PR? My 3 were 13, 7 and 3 when we landed. They all have their's.

Re: How to get social insurance number
 

No PR just work permits for mrs jimf and myself and study permits for the children.