Newcomers · Moving to Calgary
New to Calgary? Welcome home.
Whether you're coming from another province or another country, here's what to sort out first and how buying a home here works. I've called five countries home, so I know how much there is to figure out at once.
Moving from another province
Your first-90-days checklist
Coming from Ontario, BC or anywhere else in Canada? The move is simpler than you think, and buying here usually costs less up front.
Health card
Register for Alberta Health Care within 3 months of moving. Coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you arrive, and your old province covers you until then.
Licence and vehicle
Swap your driver's licence and register your vehicle at any Alberta registry agent soon after you move. You'll also need insurance from an Alberta insurer.
No land transfer tax
Alberta charges small Land Titles registration fees instead. If you're coming from Ontario or BC, that alone can save you thousands at closing.
Taxes
There's no provincial sales tax, just the 5% GST. For income tax, you file as a resident of the province you lived in on December 31.
Selling back home?
I'll line up your Calgary possession date with your sale, and connect you with a mortgage broker about bridge financing if the dates don't match.
Utilities
In Alberta you choose your own electricity and natural gas retailer. Before possession, I'll send you a list of what to set up and when.
Moving from another country
Settling in, then buying
Most of my newcomer clients do things in this order. You don't have to rush the house; getting these basics done first makes the mortgage much easier.
01The first weeks
Get your Social Insurance Number, open a Canadian bank account, and apply for Alberta Health Care within 3 months. Bring your immigration document (PR card, work or study permit) to a registry agent.
02Driving
Depending on where your licence is from, you may be able to exchange it directly or you'll need to take Alberta's tests. Check with a registry agent early, as road tests can book up.
03Start building credit
Get a Canadian credit card right away, use it lightly and pay it in full every month. Even a few months of history helps when you apply for a mortgage.
04Talk to a mortgage broker
Permanent residents can get an insured mortgage with as little as 5% down. New to Canadian credit? Lenders may accept a credit report and statements from back home.
05Move your down payment early
Lenders need to see where your down payment came from. Transfer it to Canada well before you buy and keep every statement, so the paper trail is clean.
06Rent first, if it helps
Many newcomers rent for 6 to 12 months to learn the city. I'm happy to help you pick the right area for that too, so you're already where you want to buy.
The big question
Can I buy without PR or citizenship?
Permanent residents can buy just like citizens. Most other non-Canadians can't buy a home in Calgary right now, but there are important exceptions, and the rule is set to end on January 1, 2027.
Quick check · What's your status?
Permanent residents can buy just like citizens, and can get an insured mortgage with as little as 5% down. There is no minimum time you need to have lived in Canada.
The rule, in plain language
Canada's Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act has been in force since January 1, 2023. It's currently set to end on January 1, 2027. As of October 2026 the federal government is reviewing it and hasn't said whether it will end, be extended or change. I'll update this page as soon as it's decided.
Breaking the rule can mean a fine of up to $10,000, and a court can order the home sold.
Who can still buy
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people registered under the Indian Act
- Work permit holders with at least 183 days left on their permit, buying one home
- International students who meet tax-filing and time-in-Canada conditions, buying one home of $500,000 or less
- Protected persons, and refugee claimants whose claim has been referred for a hearing
- Anyone buying together with a spouse or common-law partner who is a citizen, PR or otherwise exempt
What it covers
Houses with up to 3 units, semi-detached homes, townhouses and condos in Canada's cities and larger towns, which includes Calgary.
Homes outside those areas, and buildings with 4 or more units, aren't covered. Renting is always allowed.
General information, not legal advice. Rules and exemptions have conditions, so please confirm your situation with an immigration or real estate lawyer before you make an offer. I'll ask about your status at our first meeting so we plan around it from day one. Sources: Government of Canada, CMHC, Alberta.ca. Updated October 2026.
How I help newcomers
I've been the new person in town. Five times.
Video tours before you land
I'll walk homes and neighbourhoods with you on video, so you can shortlist from wherever you are now.
The right area for your life
Commute, schools, transit, winter driving and budget. I'll match areas to how you actually live, not just to the price.
A team that knows newcomers
Mortgage brokers who work with newcomer files, plus lawyers and inspectors I trust, all lined up before you need them.
In your language
I work in English, French and Turkish, so the details don't get lost in translation.
Have kids? Calgary has public, Catholic and francophone school boards, plus French immersion programs. I'll show you which schools serve each home we look at.
Book a private consultation.
Step one starts with a conversation. No pressure, no obligation.