Renting in Canada as a Newcomer from India
India was the #1 source country for new permanent residents to Canada in 2024. Here's what to know before you rent.
PR source rank (2024)
#1
IRCC
Nova Credit
Supported
credit history transfers
INR / CAD
~68.8
September 2026
Section 1
India is Canada's #1 source of new permanent residents
According to IRCC's 2024 permanent resident admissions data, India was the single largest source country for new PR admissions to Canada. Indian newcomers arrive through every major stream, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, and international students who later transition to PR, and have built some of the country's largest and longest-established diaspora communities.
That scale means Indian newcomers in Canada aren't starting from zero: established community organizations, places of worship, grocery stores, and (as covered below) a specific Canadian credit-history transfer program exist because of how large and established this community already is.
Section 2
No Canadian credit history? Here's how to still qualify
Most landlords in Canada ask for a credit check, and if you've just arrived, you won't have a Canadian credit history yet. Here's how to still put together a strong application:
- 1Bring a translated, notarized employment letter from your current or most recent employer, 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. This reassures landlords without a credit history to check.
India is one of the countries supported by Nova Credit's Credit Passport, available through Scotiabank and BMO's newcomer banking programs. It lets you import your Indian credit history so Canadian lenders and, in some cases, landlords can see a real repayment track record instead of a blank Canadian file.
Section 3
Documents to bring
Passport & PR/visa documents
Passport, COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) or study/work permit, and Canadian government-issued ID once you have one.
Employment letter
A translated, notarized letter from your Indian employer confirming role, tenure, and salary. Landlords commonly ask for this in lieu of a Canadian credit file.
Bank statements
4-12 months of statements from your Indian bank account showing income or savings history.
Reference letters
A letter from a previous landlord in India, translated if needed, strengthens your application.
Section 4
Where people moving from India tend to settle
Taradale / Saddle Ridge, Calgary
South Asian community hub
Northeast Calgary communities with a dense concentration of South Asian grocery stores, restaurants, and places of worship.
Mill Woods, Edmonton
"Little India"
Home to Edmonton's spice-market cluster and one of the city's largest South Asian communities.
Gerrard India Bazaar, Toronto
Canada's oldest South Asian market
A historic stretch of Gerrard Street East lined with Indian clothing stores, jewellers, and restaurants.
Punjabi Market & Surrey/Newton, Vancouver
South Asian retail and community hub
The Sunset neighbourhood's Punjabi Market plus the broader Surrey/Newton area, home to a large Punjabi-Canadian population.
Section 5
Converting your budget to Canadian dollars
As of September 2026, 1 Canadian dollar is worth approximately 68.8 Indian rupees (mid-market spot rate, XE.com). Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Always check a live converter before budgeting, and be aware that the rate a bank or money-transfer service offers you will include a spread on top of the mid-market rate.
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 people moving from India 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 people moving from India
Sources