Your immigration status, Canadian employment and proof of rent or utility payments. Some lenders also accept a banking reference letter from your country of origin in place of a credit history.
Choose the right lender
Some lenders have programs or criteria better suited to newcomers. Mathieu compares requirements before submitting to avoid a refusal based on limited history rather than real capacity.
Prepare proof of funds
Money transferred from abroad needs a documented trail: where it came from, when it arrived, and in whose name. Funds already sitting in a Canadian account for 90 days raise far fewer questions.
Documents to gather
What the lender will ask for.
Status in Canada
Employment proof
Bank history
Down payment source
Canadian credit
Debts and obligations
Frequently asked
Can I buy without a Canadian credit history?+
Yes. Several lenders offer newcomer programs, sometimes with a larger down payment. Opening a credit card on arrival and paying it in full each month builds a usable file in under a year.
Current rates
Today’s rates, read with their conditions.
These rates are indicative. The one you get depends on your file, the type of mortgage (insured or not) and the lender, and the penalty attached to it matters as much as the number.
Buying, renewing, refinancing or an unusual situation: describe where you are at, even if it is still vague. Mathieu replies with the next steps and the documents to gather.
