New Calgarian

Hello!

Can a UK citizen buy a property in Canada? I searched this forum for any discussions on this topic. The last attempt on a similar topic was in 2004! So, I am hoping to read a range of new and up to date information and experiences of UK citizens moving to Canada and buying properties.

I am planning a move to Canada to live permanently with my wife who is a Canadian citizen. Right now, she is in rented accommodation. I am planning to sell my house in the UK and use the funds to buy a property in Canada. Has anyone done something similar?

Also, the key question is this: Can I buy a property in Canada while I am there as a visitor? I already spoke to a mortgage broker in Canada who told me that my wife could get a mortgage and I could put a large down payment to buy a house. However, I want to be absolutely certain of this possibility. This is why I am eager to read the responses from many different British expats who might have gone through a similar process. And it would be useful to hear from those who bought a property in the last five years.

Almost Canadian

We bought a property in Calgary while we were living in England and prior to activating our PR. This was in 2006.

I can't see any reason why you would not be able to do what you have proposed above, providing a lender, if you need one, is happy to lend you the money.

BristolUK

I bought a property in NB while a 'visitor' using the proceeds of a UK property with no mortgage. In 2005.

I had a vague recollection of some additional fee or something being introduced in the last couple of years but I'm not sure if that was province specific or Canada.

I found this - https://www.khanllp.com/purchase-and...r-nonresidents - which suggests a mortgage of a maximum 65% and a 15% of purchase price as a tax in part of Ontario (with rebates possible eg becoming a PR within 4 years).But there's an exemption from the tax for you because you have a Canadian wife anyway.

I guess there might be similar approaches in other parts of Canada. It seems a small(?) part of Alberta has some restrictions

bc2015

Some provinces have a foreign buyers tax which is payable if you do not hold PR or are not a citizen.

BC -> https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/t...y-transfer-tax
Ontario -> https://www.ontario.ca/document/land...peculation-tax

There was also talk of a ban on foreign buyers at the federal level but it hasn't gone into effect yet. Worth checking if any of these scenarios apply to your situation.

Almost Canadian

I thought that one had to work in Banff to be able to buy a property there. That page suggests otherwise.

New Calgarian

Thanks for this response.

This was the type of experiences I wanted to read about! Good to know you were able to buy a property in Calgary before you got your Permanent Residence.

New Calgarian

Good to know about your experiences of buying a property in Canada.

New Calgarian

Thanks for that response.