How to update an expired SIN

Has your Social Insurance Number (SIN) changed or expired? We can assist you with that.

As part of CIRO and CRA reporting requirements, we are legally required to have a valid SIN number on file for  your accounts. SINs allow us to identify you for tax reporting purposes with the CRA, and are incredibly important to keep updated for future tax slips & etc.

Your SIN number may expire or change for a variety of reasons, such as a new permanent residency status, or if you have renewed a work/study permit. If this is the case, please update your SIN on file with us, and provide documentation to verify this change.

Updating your SIN

To update your SIN number on file with Questrade, please follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Log-in to your Questrade account. To ensure your connection is secure for a SIN update, look for the small ‘padlock’ icon next to the web address in your browser.

Step 2: In your Summary page (your default page when you log in), click on your profile button at the top right of the screen.

Step 3: In your profile setting, head over to the Tax residency tab and click on the Edit button beside the question about your Canadian residency.

Step 4: From here, scroll down to update your SIN details. If you have a temporary SIN (Starting with a ‘9’) you will also be asked for the expiration date. This can usually be found on an official CRA SIN renewal letter or another similar document.

Step 5: Once you’ve confirmed your new or updated SIN number (and expiry if applicable) please check off the certification box, and click the green Save button.

Please note: In the certification box, you are simply agreeing to update Questrade if your tax residency situation changes significantly. For example, this is the case if you are no longer a tax resident of Canada and have moved out of the country. If this applies to you, you are required to complete and upload a CRA RC520 form

When you update your SIN number, or expiry date, we ask that you provide documents verifying this change. Since these documents contain very sensitive information, we ask that you do not email them to us, but rather upload them through our secure, encrypted portal online here

For detailed step-by-step upload instructions, please check out our How to open an account article.

Please upload either a valid, unexpired SIN card, or an official ‘SIN confirmation’ document from the CRA.

For example:

Or

Option 1: Upload a valid, unexpired SIN card or SIN document

If you have renewed your SIN already, we can release your deposit & update your information on file to avoid future issues. Please upload either a valid, unexpired SIN card, or an official ‘SIN confirmation’ document from the CRA. (Examples shown above)

Once this has been completed, contact us at [email protected], chat, or call us at 1.888.783.7866 to release your deposit.

Option 2: Valid work/study permit if your SIN is expired

If your SIN number has expired, but you still have a valid work or study permit, we can make an exception to release any recent deposits. Temporary SINs are valid until the expiry date indicated on your immigration documents that authorize you to work or study in Canada.

However, you must ensure that your SIN number is updated with Service Canada as soon as possible. Once you have received your confirmation letter from the CRA, please update your SIN online and provide your new SIN document.

Please upload a copy of your valid, unexpired work or study authorization from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Then contact us at [email protected], chat,, or call us at 1.888.783.7866 to release your deposit.

For example:

Option 3: Implied status - IRCC Confirmation letter if both SIN and Immigration documents are expired

If both your SIN number and Immigration documents have expired, we can help release any held deposits, but only under very strict conditions. You must have applied for a study/work permit renewal before the expiry date on your immigration documents.

We will also not be able to update your SIN on file until this is renewed, so please update your SIN through Service Canada as soon as possible to avoid future deposit-related issues.

Please upload the following two documents, then contact us at [email protected], chat, or call us at 1.888.783.7866 to release your deposit.

Document 1: Confirmation letter from IRCC showing renewal application.

Please note:

• This document must include a reference number and the date of the application.
• The date of the application must be from before the expiration date on your current immigration documents.

Document 2: The expired SIN document, or your expired work/study permit.

Option 4: None of the above

Unfortunately if your SIN has expired, and you have not applied for a renewal prior to expiry, we are unable to update your SIN number online, nor accept deposits into registered accounts.

If this is the case, please renew your SIN. This can be done online through Employment and Social Development Canada

Note: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used or construed as financial or investment advice by any individual. Information obtained from third parties is believed to be reliable, but no representations or warranty, expressed or implied, is made by Questrade, Inc., its affiliates or any other person to its accuracy.