How late can I apply for a SIN? and other questions.

[deadbird]

Hi I landed recently at Peace Bridge, ON but had to go back to the US due to some issues with exporting my car. As a result I couldn't get a SIN number during the trip. I'm not sure when my next trip back to Canada will be.

I would appreciate if some someone could shed some light on the following:

- How late after my landing can I apply for a SIN number? 1 month? upto a year?
- Do I need to provide a Canadian address when I apply for a SIN number?
- Can I goto any Service Canada office anywhere in the country to get a SIN number? or does it have to be close to the Canadian address that I'm living in?

 

[Rob_TO]

You can apply for a SIN anytime after becoming a PR. There is no time limit.

Within 1 year of landing as a PR, you can use your COPR to apply for SIN so wouldn't need PR card. After 1 year, you can still apply for SIN but would then need a valid PR card to do so.

You can go to any office in Canada to get it.

I assume they will ask for some basic address info (but not entirely sure). Since there is no physical card mailed out, I doubt the address matters much. The number is the only important part.