Do I need a SIN # ASAP?

[knowledge101]

Ok so I just landed today via ground driving from the US. I actually will be in the US until June so all I did today was land and give them my B4 and B4A for goods to follow and then opened a bank account and unsecured Visa. I was able to open the bank account and credit card without a SIN # through the NewComer program.

Unfortunately the border officers did not provide me with a SIN # and told me they no longer issue them at the border and that I have to go to a Service Canada to get one. Unfortunately they were closed as it was a Saturday and I had to go back to the US in the afternoon. Not sure if I will get the chance to drive up there anytime soon.

So my question is, how important is it I get the # right now? Do I need it for anything in the meantime? I will be looking for work soon in Canada and I am concerned I may have trouble getting a job without one. In the US, our Social Security Numbers are like our lifeline and without one we can't get anything done. Can I get a job without one?

I realize I can also apply by mail, but the problem with that is they want the ORIGINAL COPR and my ORIGINAL Passport mailed to them and I am not sure I can part with those for a few weeks.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[PMM]

Hi

Ok so I just landed today via ground driving from the US. I actually will be in the US until June so all I did today was land and give them my B4 and B4A for goods to follow and then opened a bank account and unsecured Visa. I was able to open the bank account and credit card without a SIN # through the NewComer program.

Unfortunately the border officers did not provide me with a SIN # and told me they no longer issue them at the border and that I have to go to a Service Canada to get one. Unfortunately they were closed as it was a Saturday and I had to go back to the US in the afternoon. Not sure if I will get the chance to drive up there anytime soon.

So my question is, how important is it I get the # right now? Do I need it for anything in the meantime? I will be looking for work soon in Canada and I am concerned I may have trouble getting a job without one. In the US, our Social Security Numbers are like our lifeline and without one we can't get anything done. Can I get a job without one?

I realize I can also apply by mail, but the problem with that is they want the ORIGINAL COPR and my ORIGINAL Passport mailed to them and I am not sure I can part with those for a few weeks.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

1. You don't need it until you return to Canada. Once you return, you can get the no. in less than 1/2 hour at a Service Canada office. The employer only needs it once you start work.

 

[knowledge101]

Hi


1. You don't need it until you return to Canada. Once you return, you can get the no. in less than 1/2 hour at a Service Canada office. The employer only needs it once you start work.

Thank you that is good to know! Some jobs in the US require the SSN upfront when applying so glad this is not the case for Canada.

 

[rajanvnv]

Thank you that is good to know! Some jobs in the US require the SSN upfront when applying so glad this is not the case for Canada.

I believe you would still need a SIN after your interview and selection, to initiate your background check process (Most employers do a background check) after which they confirm your employment. You might be fine if they agree to wait until you land to initiate the back ground check

 

[ozlis]

Employers usually give about a week to produce a SIN number for new employees - certainly they need it prior to paying you any money.

Most will be understanding if you are new to the country and need to go get it. As others have said, it doesnt take long at all.

 

[aircanada]

It takes like an hour. I don't know why you wouldn't just get that done.

 

[knowledge101]

It takes like an hour. I don't know why you wouldn't just get that done.

Because I am not in Canada, still living in the US until June as I said in my original post. There is no ServiceCanada here in the US and when I landed it was closed as it was on a weekend.

 

[barch88]

Because I am not in Canada, still living in the US until June as I said in my original post. There is no ServiceCanada here in the US and when I landed it was closed as it was on a weekend.

Do you visit your spouse in Canada? Why don't you just go get one. I'm in WA state and I commute ~2-3 times a week to see my wife while waiting for my PR so for me this wouldn't be a big deal. I don't know your circumstances.

 

[knowledge101]

Do you visit your spouse in Canada? Why don't you just go get one. I'm in WA state and I commute ~2-3 times a week to see my wife while waiting for my PR so for me this wouldn't be a big deal. I don't know your circumstances.

My wife and I both live in the US

 

[CDNPR2014]

Because I am not in Canada, still living in the US until June as I said in my original post. There is no ServiceCanada here in the US and when I landed it was closed as it was on a weekend.

it's not essential for you to get a SIN# until you actually start working in canada. I have never had a perspective employer ask for a SIN# prior to being hired. I can see how they may need it for security checks, but those are specifics to industries/jobs where security checks are required for employment. a majority of private sector jobs don't require background checks. You will for sure need it when you start a job in canada in order to get paid and get taxes withheld.

It's really not an issue at this point, so it's not anything to stress about. it will be very easy to get when you get here.

 

[knowledge101]

it's not essential for you to get a SIN# until you actually start working in canada. I have never had a perspective employer ask for a SIN# prior to being hired. I can see how they may need it for security checks, but those are specifics to industries/jobs where security checks are required for employment. a majority of private sector jobs don't require background checks. You will for sure need it when you start a job in canada in order to get paid and get taxes withheld.

It's really not an issue at this point, so it's not anything to stress about. it will be very easy to get when you get here.

Thank you!