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Applying for a Social Insurance Number

You must have a Social Insurance Number so as to work in Canada. This is a nine-digit number that you use to look for a job and to get government welfare if necessary. Occasionally, you will hear people call it the SIN number. Through the Human Resources Centre close to your home, you can get a SIN application form. These centers are operated by the federal government. You can also get this form through your local immigrant-serving organization or from the post office, or on the Internet at the official website of Human Resources and Social Development Canada. The SIN card will be sent to you via mail. You only have to pay a small expense for processing the application.