Start working in Canada
On this page
- Getting a social insurance number
- Leaving and returning to Canada
- Employment and labour standards
- Staying in Canada
- Make changes to your work permit
Getting a social insurance number
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9-digit number that you need to work in Canada and access government programs and benefits. You should apply for a SIN as soon as possible after you arrive in Canada.
How to get or update a SIN
You should apply online to either
- submit a SIN application for the first time, or
- update your existing SIN.
- You can update the expiry date listed on your SIN or update your status in Canada.
You can also apply in person at a Service Canada Centre or by mail.
Leaving and returning to Canada
If you leave Canada while your work permit is still valid and return to continue working, the border services officer will re-assess your admissibility each time you enter Canada.
If you are still admissible, the border services officer will allow you to re-enter Canada with your original work permit.
The work permit states, “This does not authorize re-entry.” This means the permit allows you to work in Canada after you have been legally admitted.
The work permit is not:
- a visa or passport that will allow you entry to Canada or
- a guarantee of your re-entry to Canada
Employment and labour standards
Each province and territory has standards to protect employers and employees.
Labour standards include rules about:
- minimum wage
- overtime
- holidays
- vacations
- hours of work
- rest periods
- days of rest
If you have any questions about labour standards or if you think your employer hasn’t met them, contact the ministry in charge of labour or employment standards in the province or territory where you work.
To find out more about employment standards and your rights, see Understand your rights – temporary workers.
Labour standards organizations
Find out how to contact the office responsible for labour or employment standards in the province or territory where you work:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
You can also contact Labour Canada, the federal department that regulates employment and enforces standards such as hours of work, holidays, leave, pay, and more.
Staying in Canada
If your work permit is about to expire and you can’t return home or you’re not eligible to extend your work permit, you need to apply to stay as a visitor before your work permit expires.
Once you apply to change your status to visitor, and your work permit expires, you’ll have what is called maintained status. It will let you stay in Canada until you get a decision on your application. Once your current work permit expires, you must stop working.
You may be eligible for other immigration programs. Answer a few questions to find different ways you could come to Canada.
Make changes to your work permit
You can only make changes to your work permit in specific situations.
An IEC work permit can’t extend past the maximum duration specified in each country or territory’s youth mobility arrangement.
If your existing work permit expired, you may apply to restore your status.
You must be eligible to extend your work permit in order to restore your status.