Renting in Canada as a Newcomer from the Philippines
The Philippines was the #2 source country for new permanent residents to Canada in 2024. Here's what to know before you rent.
PR source rank (2024)
#2
IRCC
Nova Credit
Supported
credit history transfers
PHP / CAD
~45.0
September 2026
Section 1
The Philippines is Canada's #2 source of new permanent residents
IRCC's 2024 admissions data placed the Philippines as the second-largest source country for new permanent residents, continuing a long-standing pattern of Filipino immigration to Canada through caregiver programs, Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship.
Filipino-Canadian communities are well established in most major cities, with community organizations, churches, and Filipino grocery stores forming the backbone of newcomer support networks.
Section 2
No Canadian credit history? Here's how to still qualify
Without a Canadian credit history, a strong rental application still comes down to documentation:
- 1Bring a translated employment letter or Certificate of Employment stating your role, tenure, and salary.
- 2Bring 4-12 months of bank statements from the Philippines showing income or savings.
- 3Offer a guarantor or co-signer if available.
- 4Offer a larger deposit where the province permits it.
The Philippines is one of the countries supported by Nova Credit's Credit Passport program through Scotiabank and BMO, letting your Philippine credit history carry over to Canadian lenders instead of starting from zero.
Section 3
Documents to bring
Passport & immigration documents
Passport, COPR or work/study permit, and Canadian ID once issued.
Certificate of Employment
A standard Philippine HR document confirming your role, tenure, and salary. It is widely recognized and easy for landlords to understand.
Bank statements
4-12 months from a Philippine bank showing income or savings history.
Landlord reference
A reference letter from a previous landlord in the Philippines, if available.
Section 4
Where Filipino newcomers tend to settle
Mill Woods, Edmonton
Community-supported presence
A significant Filipino community presence in Mill Woods, though not a formally mapped enclave.
Little Manila, Toronto
Bathurst & Wilson
Toronto's historic Filipino commercial and cultural strip, with Filipino restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.
Fraser Street corridor, Vancouver
Filipino businesses
A stretch of Fraser Street with a concentration of Filipino-owned restaurants and shops.
Calgary has a general Filipino community presence but no single verified neighbourhood hub. Community organizations serve the city broadly rather than one district.
Section 5
Converting your budget to Canadian dollars
As of September 2026, 1 Canadian dollar is worth approximately 45.0 Philippine pesos (mid-market spot rate, XE.com). Rates change daily, so check a live converter before finalizing your budget, and expect banks or remittance services to charge a spread above 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 Filipino 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 Filipino newcomers
Sources