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The short answer
Service Canada issues SINs starting with 9 only to temporary residents, such as work and study permit holders. A 9-series SIN expires on the same date as your work permit, study permit or visitor record, so you must update your SIN record whenever you get a new permit with a new expiry date, or when your status changes to permanent resident. If you applied to extend your permit before it expired, you can keep working with the SIN until IRCC decides.
Your SIN tells the CRA who you are. A SIN that starts with 9 also tells your employer something: that you are a temporary resident whose right to work depends on a permit. That is not a problem in itself, but it brings an expiry date, and the rules around it catch people out when a permit is being renewed or when PR arrives. This is what Service Canada's page for temporary residents says, as at June 2026.
What the 9 means
Service Canada says SINs issued to temporary residents always start with 9. You qualify for one if your work or study permit says you "may work" or "may accept employment" in Canada, or your visitor record says you are authorised to work. The 9 itself does not say which permit you hold or what conditions it carries; your employer still needs to see the permit.
The expiry date
A 9-series SIN expires on the same date as your work permit, study permit or visitor record. Service Canada asks you to keep your SIN record current so it matches your current permit.
| What happens | What to do with your SIN |
|---|---|
| You get a new permit with a new expiry date | Apply to update your SIN record with the new permit |
| Your permit is about to expire and you have applied to extend it | You can keep working with the SIN until IRCC decides; once a new permit is granted, update your record and destroy the old SIN document |
| You become a permanent resident | Apply to update your SIN record for the change in status |
| Your permit expires and you have not applied to extend | Your SIN expires with it; speak to IRCC about your status before you work |
Working while your extension is pending
This is the situation that worries payroll departments. Service Canada says that if your SIN expires while you have a pending application to extend your permit, you can keep working with it until IRCC makes a decision. Keep your IRCC acknowledgement of the extension application ready to show your employer, because they will see the expiry date in their records. Our guide on working on maintained status covers the payroll side.
How to update the record
Service Canada lists three ways to apply or update:
- Online, which Service Canada describes as the fastest. It says you can view your confirmation letter in about 5 business days.
- By mail to the Social Insurance Registration Office in Bathurst, New Brunswick, with a letter by mail in about 20 business days.
- In person at a Service Canada office.
Bring or upload your new permit, or your COPR or PR card if your status has changed, plus your passport. Online, upload clear copies of both sides; in person or by mail, originals.
When you become a permanent resident
Service Canada lists a change from temporary to permanent resident as a reason to apply for or update your SIN record. Its page does not say whether you keep the same number or receive a new one, and we have not seen a Service Canada statement either way, so follow what the confirmation letter says. Then give the updated details to your employer and bank. Step by step: updating your SIN after PR.
A timeline, as an example
Example only. Chiamaka's work permit runs to 31 March 2027, so her SIN record shows the same expiry. On 10 February 2027 she applies to IRCC to extend the permit and keeps the acknowledgement. On 31 March her SIN expires, but because her extension is pending she keeps working, and gives HR a copy of the IRCC acknowledgement. On 20 May IRCC issues a new permit to 31 May 2029. She updates her SIN record online with the new permit, destroys the old SIN document as Service Canada instructs, and sends HR the updated confirmation. If she had applied after 31 March instead, she could not rely on the pending-extension rule in the same way, and would need to ask IRCC about her status first.
Other places the 9 matters
- Registering a business. The CRA says that if you have a temporary SIN starting with 9, you must use its Business Registration Online service to get a business number, rather than another route.
- Credit and rentals. Some lenders and landlords look at permit expiry when deciding. Have your permit ready to show the dates.
- Starting a job. Service Canada says you can start working as soon as you apply for your SIN, without waiting for the number.
Where Pryme fits
Permit holders often keep stronger ties to Nigeria. A Pryme account can be opened from Canada, holds NGN, USD, GBP and EUR, and keeps your naira working at home while your Canadian status settles. See multicurrency accounts and sending to Nigeria, where the rate and the fee are shown before you approve.
Questions people ask
Why does my SIN start with 9?
Service Canada issues SINs starting with 9 to temporary residents, such as work permit, study permit and authorised visitor record holders.
Does a SIN starting with 9 expire?
Yes. It expires on the same date as your work permit, study permit or visitor record. Update it when you get a new permit.
Can I work if my 9 SIN has expired but I applied to extend my permit?
Service Canada says you can keep working with it until IRCC decides on the extension. Afterwards, update your SIN record and destroy the old SIN document.
Do I get a new SIN when I become a PR?
Service Canada says to apply for or update your SIN record when your status changes, but its page does not say whether the number changes. Follow your confirmation letter.
Sources
- Service Canada: SIN for temporary residents (modified 2 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Service Canada: SIN required documents (modified 20 May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- CRA: Register as a resident with a Canadian business (modified 19 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.