It depends on the immigration change. If you move from temporary resident status to permanent resident, Service Canada assigns you a new permanent SIN that does not begin with 9 and does not expire — replacing your old temporary 9-series number.
If you move from permanent resident to Canadian citizen, your SIN number stays the same (it was already issued for life), but Service Canada asks you to update your record to reflect the new citizenship status.
And if you receive a new work permit or PGWP while still a temporary resident, the SIN number typically stays the same — only the expiry date needs updating.
Let's look into:
- When you get a new SIN number vs when you only update the record
- How the change affects your taxes, T4 slips, and CRA history
- How to update your SIN (online, in person, by mail)
- Whether you need to wait for your PR card
- What happens to your old temporary SIN
Here is the quick reference for all three scenarios.
| Immigration change | Does the SIN number change? | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary resident → permanent resident | Yes | New permanent SIN assigned (does not start with 9, does not expire) |
| Permanent resident → Canadian citizen | No | Same SIN; update the record to reflect citizenship |
| Temporary permit → new/extended permit or PGWP | No | Same 9-series SIN; update the expiry date |
Does your SIN number change after becoming a permanent resident?
Yes — and the distinction is sharper than most guides explain. Service Canada does not simply remove the expiry from a temporary SIN. It assigns an entirely different number.
Temporary residents receive a SIN beginning with 9. That number expires with the work or study authorization that created it. When the same person becomes a permanent resident, Service Canada issues a new permanent SIN that does not begin with 9 and has no expiry date. The old 9-series SIN and the new permanent SIN are two different numbers.
ESDC documentation confirms that government systems can link an expired temporary 9-series SIN to its replacement permanent SIN — so prior records (tax filings, CPP contributions, benefit history) are not erased. They are carried forward under the linked numbers.
For readers still on a temporary SIN who want to understand how SIN renewal works, the renewal process covers extending the expiry on an existing 9-series number — a different process from the permanent SIN assignment that happens after PR.
Do you need to wait for your PR card to update your SIN?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions in newcomer forums — and the answer is clear.
IRCC confirms that a completed Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) — including an e-COPR — is valid proof of PR status. You can use it to apply for government services, including a SIN update, while waiting for the physical PR card.
| Stage | Can you update the SIN? |
|---|---|
| PR application approved but status not yet confirmed | Not yet |
| Asked to confirm presence in Canada through PR portal | Not yet (confirming presence is not the same as becoming a PR) |
| e-COPR issued and PR status officially confirmed | Yes |
| Waiting for first PR card | Yes — no need to wait |
| PR card received | Yes |
Service Canada accepts a COPR as a primary identity/status document within one year of becoming a permanent resident. After that one-year window, the PR card is required for this specific proof route. That timeline creates a practical reason to update the SIN promptly rather than waiting.
How do you update your SIN after getting PR?
The process is free and available through three channels.
| Method | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Online (Service Canada) | About 5 business days |
| In person (Service Centre) | Same visit (if documents are complete) |
| By mail | About 20 business days |
Required documents
Service Canada requires a primary identity/status document plus a secondary identity document.
- Legal name-change documentation if applicable
- PR card or COPR (within one year of becoming PR) as the primary document
- Valid Canadian or foreign passport, Canadian driver's licence, or provincial/territorial ID as the secondary document
For online applications, clear digital copies showing the complete document and borders are required. For in-person or mail applications, original documents are needed. There is no fee to apply for or update a SIN.
What happens to your old temporary SIN?
The old 9-series SIN should not be used for new transactions once the permanent SIN has been issued. ESDC documentation describes cases where transactions submitted under an expired temporary SIN are rejected by government systems.
The old number does not vanish from history — it is linked to the replacement permanent SIN in government records.
But from the day the new SIN is active, all new employment, financial accounts, and government interactions should use the permanent number.
The practical checklist after receiving the new SIN is straightforward.
- Stop using the 9-series SIN for any new purpose
- Provide the new SIN to every employer
- Update financial institutions that hold the SIN on file
- Update any government programs that use the SIN
Does your SIN change again after Canadian citizenship?
No. A permanent SIN issued to a permanent resident is issued for life. Becoming a Canadian citizen does not trigger a new number.
Service Canada does ask people to contact it when citizenship status changes so the SIN record can be updated — but updating the record and receiving a new SIN are different things. The record update reflects the new citizenship status; the number itself stays the same.
A Canadian citizenship certificate is accepted as a primary identity/status document for SIN-related interactions, so having it available simplifies any future dealings with Service Canada.
How do you update your SIN after a PGWP or new work permit?
A PGWP holder remains a temporary resident. The SIN stays in the 9-series and remains temporary — it does not become permanent simply because the person graduated or received a post-graduation work permit.
| Immigration event | SIN result |
|---|---|
| Study permit → PGWP | Update temporary SIN expiry |
| Work permit → renewed work permit | Update temporary SIN expiry |
| PGWP → another temporary authorization | Temporary SIN remains tied to valid authorization |
| PGWP/work permit → PR | Temporary 9-series SIN replaced with new permanent SIN |
The SIN expiry must match the immigration document authorizing the person to work. When a new permit with a new expiry date is issued, the SIN record needs updating.
For newcomers getting their SIN for the first time, the 9-series assignment and its temporary nature should be understood from day one.
Can you update your SIN while waiting for a work permit?
Not with a work permit approval letter alone. IRCC guidance says the SIN expiry can be updated only once the new official work permit has been received — not based on an approval notification.
If the person applied to extend or change their work permit before the existing permit expired and qualifies for maintained status, IRCC confirms they may continue working under the conditions of their original permit even if the SIN expiry date has passed. The expired SIN alone does not mean the person must stop working.
Once the new work permit arrives, the SIN record should be updated so its expiry matches the new document.
Does changing your SIN affect your taxes?
No. Getting a permanent SIN does not erase previous tax history.
Service Canada's update page states that when a SIN changes, Service Canada itself notifies the CRA and CPP/QPP. The individual does not need to contact the CRA separately for this purpose.
T4 handling
The CRA's T4 guidance for employers is specific: if an employee had a 9-series SIN and later received a permanent SIN during the same tax year, the employer should use the permanent SIN on the T4 slip and should not prepare two separate T4s.
My Service Canada Account
One practical wrinkle worth knowing — if the SIN changes, the person may need to create a new My Service Canada Account connection using the new SIN.
T4E slips issued under the former SIN may not appear in the new MSCA view. Previous T4E information can still be accessed through CRA's My Account.
Who should you give your new SIN to?
Service Canada separates the responsibilities clearly.
| Organization | What happens |
|---|---|
| CRA | Service Canada notifies CRA when the SIN changes |
| CPP/QPP | Service Canada notifies them |
| Employer(s) | You must provide the new SIN |
| Bank/financial institution | You must update relevant records |
| Other government programs using SIN | You may need to update them |
| Health card/driver's licence | Treat as separate provincial status/ID updates — not SIN-update requirements |
The SIN is not general-purpose identification. Service Canada says people should provide it only when legally required — employment, income-reporting financial accounts, and specified government programs.
Provincial health cards and driver's licences may need separate immigration-status updates, but those are different processes from the SIN update.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about this topic:
Does my SIN change after PR?
Yes, if you previously had a temporary 9-series SIN. Service Canada assigns an entirely new permanent SIN that does not start with 9 and does not expire. The old temporary SIN is linked to the new one in government systems, so prior tax filings and benefit history carry forward. The new number should be used for all future employment, banking, and government interactions from the day it is issued.
Can I update my SIN with an e-COPR?
Yes. IRCC confirms that an e-COPR is valid proof of PR status and can be used to apply for government services — including a SIN update — before the physical PR card arrives. Service Canada accepts the COPR as a primary identity/status document within one year of becoming a permanent resident. After that one-year window, the PR card is required. Updating promptly with the e-COPR avoids the document-expiry issue entirely.
How long do I have to update my SIN after PR?
Government guidance says to update when your status changes, but there is no published statutory deadline (such as 30 or 60 days). In practice, updating promptly prevents complications with employment records, tax reporting, and benefit eligibility. The COPR is accepted for SIN purposes within one year of becoming a PR — waiting longer than a year means needing the PR card instead, which adds a dependency.
Does my SIN change after Canadian citizenship?
No new SIN is issued. Permanent residents and Canadian citizens both hold SINs issued for life. Service Canada asks people to update the SIN record to reflect the new citizenship status, but the number itself remains the same. A Canadian citizenship certificate can be used as a primary identity/status document for future SIN-related interactions.
Do I need a new SIN after getting a PGWP?
Usually no. A PGWP holder remains a temporary resident, so the SIN remains a 9-series temporary number. The expiry date on the SIN record needs to be updated to match the new work permit's validity period, but the SIN number itself typically does not change. The SIN becomes permanent only when the person later becomes a permanent resident.
Can I work if my SIN expires while my work permit extension is processing?
Yes, if you applied to extend or change your work permit before the existing permit expired and you qualify for maintained status. IRCC confirms that maintained-status workers may continue working under the conditions of their original work permit even with an expired SIN. Once the new work permit is received, the SIN record should be updated to match the new expiry.
Does a new SIN erase my previous tax history?
No. Service Canada notifies CRA and CPP/QPP when a SIN changes. Government systems link the old temporary SIN with its permanent replacement, preserving the full tax, benefit, and contribution history. If the SIN changes during a tax year, the employer should use the new permanent SIN on the T4 and should not issue two separate slips.
Is there a fee to update my SIN?
No. Applying for or updating a SIN is free through all three channels (online, in person, and by mail). Service Canada does not charge for SIN-related services. Any website or third party charging a fee for SIN applications is not an official government channel.
