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Do I need to update my SIN after I got my citizenship?

OrangeCup

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Feb 13, 2014
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Hey guys,

Tried looking for the answer on this forum but can't seem to find one. Does anyone know if you need to update your SIN or not?

thanks in advance!
 

dnyfyn

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if you SIN starts with 5 then no. If it starts with 9 then yes.
 

cprak0

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@dnyfyn
SIN for PR's always starts with 5.
Temporary workers SIN starts with 9.
 

MiriamT

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dnyfyn said:
if you SIN starts with 5 then no. If it starts with 9 then yes.
cprak0 said:
@dnyfyn
SIN for PR's always starts with 5.
Temporary workers SIN starts with 9.
You two are correct that SIN for those who aren't PRs or Citizens start with 9. But it doesn't necessarily start with 5, so that bit of information you're providing is incorrect.

I've had my SIN since November 2009, it's permanent, and starts with 7.

ETA: I found something on Wikipedia about the first number: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Insurance_Number#Geography
 

keesio

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cprak0 said:
@dnyfyn
SIN for PR's always starts with 5.
Temporary workers SIN starts with 9.
5 is for Ontario. If you got your SIN number in another province, then you will have another number (besides 9) for the start

And it applies to PR and Citizens.
 

cprak0

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MiriamT said:
You two are correct that SIN for those who aren't PRs or Citizens start with 9. But it doesn't necessarily start with 5, so that bit of information you're providing is incorrect.

I've had my SIN since November 2009, it's permanent, and starts with 7.

ETA: I found something on Wikipedia about the first number: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Insurance_Number#Geography
hmmmmm, Good to know... 7 for BC and Yukon, I assume you are from BC, probably Vancouver...
 

MiriamT

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cprak0 said:
hmmmmm, Good to know... 7 for BC and Yukon, I assume you are from BC, probably Vancouver...
Well, my signature does state that I'm in Vancouver. ;)
 

keesio

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cprak0 said:
hmmmmm, Good to know... 7 for BC and Yukon, I assume you are from BC, probably Vancouver...
Note that the number indicates where you applied for a SIN number. You could have landed in BC and lived there for one month and then move to another province for the rest of your life but your SIN number will still have a "7" on it even though you liked a total of one month there.
 

cprak0

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@Miriam,
OK could have looked at your signature...
@Keesio, yes, of course. I still have my social security number from the US, haven't been there for a decade now...
 

screech339

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The first number on SIN card is strictly based on where geographically the SIN was issued.

1: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador
2–3: Québec
4–5: Ontario (excluding Northwestern Ontario), and overseas forces
6: Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
7: British Columbia and Yukon
8: Not used
9: Temporary resident