Gettting your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is the first step you should take when moving to Canada.
Why is the SIN a mandatory document for your life in Canada?
- To legally engage in an activity
- To benefit from certain government services (taxes, pensions, student loans, etc.)
- To verify your identity during all other essential steps of settling in
How do I go about getting my social security number?
- You can apply as soon as you arrive, online or at the Service Canada center in Nanaimo (where some employees speak French).
- Check here to see which documents are required for your situation: canada.ca – SIN application.
Good to know: Your NAS changes depending on your immigration status: it is not the same for temporary or permanent residents.