Property
Canada — Property: Foreign Ownership
The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act bars non-Canadians from buying residential properties of three or fewer dwelling units within Census Metropolitan Areas or Census Agglomerations. Originally set to expire 1 January 2025, the ban was extended to 1 January 2027. Key exemptions: permanent residents, protected persons, and those registered under the Indian Act face no restriction and are treated identically to citizens; work permit holders may buy if their permit has at least 183 days of validity remaining at purchase; diplomats are also exempt. Violating the ban carries fines up to $10,000 and a court can order forced sale of the property. As of December 2025, Housing Minister Gregor Robertson confirmed a formal government review of what happens when the ban expires in January 2027, with an Australia-style model under consideration (foreign buyers allowed to buy new construction/vacant land but barred from existing homes).
Key facts
- Non-Canadians are banned from buying residential properties (≤3 units) in Census Metropolitan Areas/Agglomerations through at least 1 January 2027.
- Permanent residents, protected persons, and Indian Act-registered persons are fully exempt from the ban.
- Work permit holders may buy if their permit has 183+ days of remaining validity at the time of purchase.
- Violations carry fines up to $10,000 and courts can order a forced sale; a post-2027 policy review is underway, potentially modeled on Australia's new-construction-only approach for foreign buyers.
Costs
- Maximum fine for ban violation: $10,000
Timelines
- Current ban expiry: 1 January 2027 (under review)
Common mistakes
- Assuming a work permit alone qualifies for a purchase — the permit must have at least 183 days of validity remaining at the purchase date.
- Overlooking that the ban only covers ≤3-unit residential property within CMAs/CAs — other property types/locations may not be restricted.