Permanent Residents can buy day 1 with 5% down via Big-5 newcomer mortgage programs. Work permit holders need 1-2 years of Canadian income history. Non-residents face the foreign buyer ban (through 2027). Here's the full status map.
Permanent Resident · arrived recently. Best access to newcomer mortgage programs.
The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act blocks non-PRs (including foreign workers without PR pathway) from buying most residential property until January 1, 2027. Exceptions: work permit holders with 3+ years in Canada and Canadian taxes filed, refugees, international students who file 5 years of returns, and spouses of citizens/PRs.