Moving to Canada is one of life’s biggest transitions — and the first twelve months set the pace for everything that follows. Whether you’re arriving on a work permit, completing your LMIA process, or transitioning from temporary to permanent resident status, the decisions you make in Year One affect your career, your housing, and your family’s long-term stability.
At BridgePoint Law, we guide newcomers through both the immigration and real estate sides of this journey. This guide walks you through the major milestones — month by month — so you can plan ahead with confidence.
Months 1–2: Landing and Legal Foundations
Confirm Your Immigration Status
Your first priority is making sure your work permit, study permit, or visitor record is in order. If your employer is sponsoring you through the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process, confirm that your LMIA-based work permit conditions match your actual job duties, location, and employer name. Discrepancies can jeopardize future permanent residence applications.
Key tasks:
- Review your work permit conditions (employer name, NOC code, location)
- Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) at Service Canada
- Register for provincial health insurance (OHIP in Ontario — note the 3-month waiting period)
- Open a Canadian bank account (bring your passport, work permit, and proof of address)
Understand Your Pathways to Permanent Residence
Canada offers multiple pathways from temporary to permanent status. The most common for newcomers in Ontario include:
- Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — employer job offer streams and human capital streams
- Provincial Nominee Programs for other provinces if your plans change
- Spousal or common-law sponsorship if your partner is a Canadian citizen or PR
An immigration lawyer can assess which pathway offers the fastest, most secure route given your specific credentials, work experience, and family situation.
Months 3–4: Building Credit and Financial Readiness
Start Building Canadian Credit History
One of the biggest surprises for newcomers: your home-country credit score doesn’t transfer. Canadian lenders, landlords, and even some employers check your Canadian credit history. Start building it immediately:
- Get a secured credit card from your bank
- Use it for small, regular purchases and pay the full balance monthly
- Consider newcomer-specific programs (RBC, CIBC, and TD offer newcomer banking bundles)
- Set up at least one recurring bill payment (phone, utilities) in your name
Understand Mortgage Pre-Qualification
If homeownership is in your plan, start conversations with a mortgage broker early. Most lenders require:
- At least 3 months of Canadian employment history
- A valid work permit with at least 12–18 months remaining (or PR card)
- Down payment of 5–20% (higher for non-residents)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, employment letter, T4 if available)
Work permit holders can often qualify for a mortgage, but the terms vary significantly by lender. Some require a larger down payment (up to 35%) for temporary residents.
Months 5–7: Permanent Residence Application and Housing Search
File Your PR Application
If you’ve been working in Canada for several months and meet the Canadian Experience Class requirements (typically 12 months of skilled Canadian work experience), this is often the ideal window to submit your Express Entry profile or OINP application.
Critical documents to prepare:
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — takes 4–8 weeks
- Language test results (IELTS or CELPIP for English; TEF or TCF for French)
- Police certificates from every country where you’ve lived 6+ months since age 18
- Employment reference letters (specific format required by IRCC)
- Proof of funds (if applying through Federal Skilled Worker)
Begin Your Property Search
Ontario’s real estate market has its own rhythm. Here’s what newcomers should know:
- Non-Resident Speculation Tax: If you are not a permanent resident or citizen, additional taxes may apply in certain regions. Work permit holders with valid permits may be exempt — confirm with a real estate lawyer.
- Land Transfer Tax: Ontario charges a provincial land transfer tax on all purchases. First-time homebuyers may qualify for a rebate of up to $4,000. Toronto properties are subject to an additional municipal land transfer tax.
- Title Insurance: Protects against title defects, fraud, and survey issues — essential for any Ontario property purchase.
- Legal Representation: In Ontario, every real estate transaction requires a lawyer. Your lawyer reviews the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, conducts title searches, handles mortgage registration, and manages closing funds.
Months 8–10: Closing on Your Home
The Closing Process
Once your offer is accepted, the typical closing timeline is 30–90 days. During this period, your real estate lawyer will:
- Review the Agreement of Purchase and Sale for legal issues
- Conduct title and off-title searches (liens, easements, property tax status, zoning)
- Coordinate with your mortgage lender on financing documents
- Arrange title insurance
- Prepare the Statement of Adjustments (prorating property taxes, utilities, condo fees)
- Register the deed and mortgage on closing day
Special Considerations for Newcomers
If you’re purchasing property while your PR application is still processing:
- Keep copies of your work permit, LMIA confirmation, and any PR application acknowledgment (AOR)
- Understand the tax implications — capital gains exemptions for principal residences are available to all Canadian residents (including work permit holders who are tax residents)
- Consider whether to purchase jointly or individually based on your immigration and tax situation
Months 11–12: Settling In and Planning Ahead
Your First Tax Filing
As a Canadian tax resident, you must file an annual income tax return (due April 30 for most individuals). Key newcomer considerations:
- Your tax residency start date is typically the day you arrived in Canada
- You can claim the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit (if applicable)
- Report worldwide income from your date of tax residency onward
- If you own property abroad, you may have foreign asset reporting obligations (Form T1135)
Look Ahead: Family Sponsorship, Business Formation, Estate Planning
Once your immediate immigration and housing needs are settled, think longer-term:
- Family sponsorship: If you receive PR, you can sponsor your spouse, dependent children, or parents
- Business formation: Many newcomers eventually start businesses — Ontario incorporation is straightforward, but there are important immigration and tax implications
- Wills and estate planning: Once you own property in Ontario, having a valid Ontario will is essential. If you also own assets abroad, you may need a separate will for each jurisdiction.
Why Work with a Bilingual Firm That Handles Both Immigration and Real Estate?
Most newcomers hire separate professionals for immigration and real estate — an immigration consultant here, a real estate lawyer there. The problem? These professionals rarely talk to each other, and the intersection is where the most costly mistakes happen:
- Buying a home before your work permit is renewed — and losing mortgage qualification
- Missing the Non-Resident Speculation Tax exemption because your permit paperwork wasn’t filed correctly
- Closing on a property the same week as your PR medical exam — in different cities
At BridgePoint Law, we practice both immigration and real estate law under one roof, with services in English and Mandarin. That means one team coordinating your entire first-year journey — from LMIA to lease, from work permit to property deed.
Ready to Plan Your First Year in Canada?
Whether you’re still overseas planning your move or already in Ontario navigating your first months, we can help you build a clear roadmap. Book a consultation to discuss your immigration pathway and real estate goals together.
BridgePoint Law serves clients in Kingston, Toronto, and across Ontario — with cross-border expertise for US immigration and China-related legal matters. We offer services in English, Mandarin (普通话), and Cantonese (粤语).
