Moving to Canada to practise medicine?

No, permanent residence is not always required. Eligible work permit holders can buy under an exception to the federal purchase restrictions. That exception requires at least 183 days remaining on your work permit or work authorisation at purchase, and no previous residential property purchase in Canada while the prohibition is in effect. We’ll review the financing with you; your lawyer or notary confirms purchase eligibility and applicable taxes before you commit.

Ontario has a Non-Resident Speculation Tax, and Toronto has a separate municipal tax for certain foreign buyers. British Columbia has an additional property transfer tax for foreign buyers in specified areas. Alberta has foreign-ownership rules for certain land. Exemptions and the property location matter, so get an address-specific review before making an offer. Medical registration is also handled by the regulator for the province or territory where you will practise.

Insured mortgages are available from 5% down to permanent residents and to work permit holders, for a home you live in with up to four units. On a work permit, the down payment has to come from your own savings, the sale of a property or a gift that does not have to be repaid, not borrowed money. With little Canadian credit, an international credit report or a reference letter from your bank at home can help.

Yes. Ontario’s 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax applies to the whole price when any buyer is not a citizen or permanent resident, and a work permit alone is not an exemption. You can apply for a refund if you become a permanent resident within four years of buying, own the home alone or with your spouse, live in it from 60 days after closing, and apply within 180 days of becoming a permanent resident.

Under Ontario’s As of Right rules, an eligible physician with an unrestricted U.S. licence and certification from a recognized U.S. specialty board can practise for up to six months while registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is completed. Conditions apply, so check with the College.

Yes. A signed Canadian position, expected start date, immigration status, provincial registration and the structure of your future income can all shape the plan. Whether a lender will use that income before it is received is lender-specific.

The key is whether that income will continue after your move. We’ll review your ongoing U.S. earnings or new Canadian compensation, along with the supporting documents. Before giving you a borrowing estimate, we confirm which income the lender will accept.

Tell us how you will actually be paid. A salary, fee-for-service billings, locum contract and income from a corporation require different documents. Bring any agreement, start date and payment details you have. We need to confirm the lender’s treatment before estimating borrowing capacity.

Renting can make sense when the practice location, neighbourhood or licensing timeline is still moving. Buying may make sense when the position and city are settled, the down payment is ready and the mortgage is supportable on your actual cash flow.

Our team will review your plans and connect you with a mortgage professional for the province where you’re buying. We’ll explain what documents are needed and what comes next, so you know where things stand.