Renting in Canada as a Newcomer from Brazil
Brazil ranked #19 among source countries for new permanent residents to Canada in 2024. Not top-10, but a growing and well-supported community. Here's what to know before you rent.
PR source rank (2024)
#19
IRCC
Nova Credit
Supported
credit history transfers
BRL / CAD
~3.64
September 2026
Section 1
Brazil ranked #19 among source countries for new permanent residents in 2024
IRCC's 2024 admissions data placed Brazil at #19 among source countries for new permanent residents, not a top-10 volume, but a steadily growing community arriving through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and study-to-PR pathways.
Brazilian-Canadian communities are smaller and more dispersed than some other diaspora groups, but Toronto and Vancouver both have identifiable clusters and active community organizations.
Section 2
No Canadian credit history? Here's how to still qualify
Building a rental application without Canadian credit history comes down to documentation:
- 1Bring a translated employment letter stating your role, tenure, and salary.
- 2Bring 4-12 months of bank statements showing consistent income or savings.
- 3Offer a guarantor or co-signer if you have a Canadian contact who can vouch financially.
- 4Offer a larger security deposit where the province allows it.
Brazil is one of the countries supported by Nova Credit's Credit Passport program through Scotiabank and BMO, letting your Brazilian credit history carry over to Canadian lenders.
Section 3
Documents to bring
Passport & immigration documents
Passport, COPR, study permit, or work permit, and Canadian ID once issued.
Employment letter
A translated employment letter confirming role, tenure, and salary from your Brazilian employer.
Bank statements
4-12 months of statements showing income or savings history.
Landlord reference
A reference letter from a previous landlord, translated if needed.
Section 4
Where Brazilian newcomers tend to settle
Near Little Portugal, Toronto
Dundas Street West
Toronto's Brazilian community is concentrated within and adjacent to Little Portugal, reflecting shared Lusophone-language ties.
Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Latin American corridor
Vancouver's Commercial Drive area has a notable Brazilian population alongside its broader Latin American community.
Calgary and Edmonton both have modest Brazilian populations but no verified neighbourhood-level concentration.
Section 5
Converting your budget to Canadian dollars
As of September 2026, 1 Canadian dollar is worth approximately 3.64 Brazilian reais (mid-market spot rate, XE.com). Rates move daily, so check a live converter before budgeting.
Section 6
Setting up Canadian banking
Canada's major banks all run newcomer programs that waive fees and don't require Canadian credit history to open an account:
Scotia StartRight
Newcomer chequing account with no monthly fee for the first year, plus a credit card option with no credit history required.
RBC Newcomer
Banking package for newcomers to Canada, including a no-history credit card for eligible permanent residents and work/study permit holders.
BMO NewStart
Newcomer banking program with fee waivers and credit-building tools for the first year in Canada.
Section 7
Tenant rights where you're likely to land
Tenancy law in Canada is set provincially, not federally. Here's what applies in the provinces Brazilian newcomers most often move to:
Calgary, AB
Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)
No rent control: landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice, but only once every 365 days. Security deposits are capped at one month's rent. Disputes go to the RTDRS.
Edmonton, AB
Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)
Same Alberta-wide rules as Calgary: no rent control, one rent increase per 365 days, deposit capped at one month's rent, disputes go to the RTDRS.
Toronto, ON
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
Rent control applies to units built before November 2018 (annual guideline increase). No damage deposit is allowed, only last month's rent, which the landlord must pay annual interest on. Disputes go to the LTB.
Vancouver, BC
Residential Tenancy Act
Rent increases are capped by an annual government-set percentage. Security deposit capped at half a month's rent, plus a separate pet deposit of up to half a month's rent. Disputes go to the RTB.
Section 8
Apply faster with SQRFT Passport
Build your verified rental identity once (employment, income, references), then share it with any landlord in Canada. No Canadian credit history required to get started.
FAQ
Common questions from Brazilian newcomers
Sources