Obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is mandatory in order to work and for income tax purposes in Canada. It is in no way related to health insurance coverage. You Social Insurance Number will be valid until the end of your stay in Canada or for a maximum of five (5) years. To find out more about the Social Insurance Number, visit the Government of Canada site or go directly to the Service Canada office nearest you.

The Service Canada office nearest HEC Montréal is: 

Complexe Guy-Favreau
200 Boulevard René-Lévesque O, local 034
1-800-808-6352

For other offices: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/hr-search.cgi?app=hme&ln=eng (go to the bottom of the page)

How to obtain a SIN

1. Fill the NAS 2120-05-04 form online.
2. Provide two pieces of identification: passport, birth certificate, authorization to stay in Canada, CAQ, etc.
3. Bring your offer of employment or contract if you work on campus, or your off-campus work permit or post-graduation work permit if you are working off-campus (with a work permit, no contract is required).
4. Go in person to one of the Service Canada offices to immediately obtain your SIN or mail your application to the office nearest you (allow about 10 working days of processing time).

The offer of employment must include the following information:

• Student’s gender
• Student’s date of birth
• Student’s first and last names 
• Study permit number
• Study permit signature date  
• Study permit expiry date
• Name of department or firm hiring the student   
• Employer’s name
• Address where the work is to be performed
• Employer’s signature
• Employer’s phone number
• Job start and end dates
• Student’s signature and date of signature

You will receive your valid SIN on the day that you apply in person. Otherwise, if you request the card by mail, you must wait about 10 days.

Most international students receive a SIN starting with the number “9” and having an expiry date. You need to provide your employer with this number if you want to receive your pay cheque.