Renting in Canada as a Newcomer from Syria
Canada welcomed 6,775 people from Syria in 2024, most through refugee and protected-persons pathways. Here's what to know before you rent.
Admitted in 2024
6,775
IRCC, mostly refugee pathways
Settlement support
RAP / GAR-PSR
income-proof alternative
SYP / CAD
Check live rate
highly volatile, see below
Section 1
Most Syrian newcomers arrive through refugee and protected-persons pathways
IRCC recorded 6,775 people admitted from Syria in 2024, the large majority through refugee resettlement and protected-persons pathways rather than economic immigration streams. If you arrived this way, your settlement worker or resettlement agreement holder is often the best first stop for rental guidance, in addition to this guide.
Calgary's Forest Lawn neighbourhood has become known as a hub for Syrian newcomers, with community organizations, Arabic-speaking services, and Middle Eastern grocers and restaurants concentrated in the area.
Section 2
No Canadian credit history? Here's how to still qualify
If you arrived through a refugee or protected-persons pathway, your settlement documentation can often substitute for the usual employment/credit proof:
- 1Bring your IRCC status documents and any Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) or Group of Five/Private Sponsorship (GAR-PSR) settlement support letters.
- 2If you're employed, bring an employment letter or pay stubs showing income.
- 3Ask your settlement worker or sponsor if they can act as a reference or co-signer.
- 4Offer a larger security deposit where the province allows it.
Section 3
Documents to bring
IRCC status documents
Refugee status, protected-person status, or permanent resident documentation, plus Canadian ID once issued.
RAP / GAR-PSR settlement letters
Settlement support documentation can serve as income proof when formal employment history isn't yet available.
Employment letter or pay stubs
If you're working, bring documentation of your role and income.
Sponsor or settlement worker reference
A letter from your sponsor or settlement agency can support your application.
Section 4
Where Syrian newcomers tend to settle
Forest Lawn, Calgary
Known Syrian community hub
Forest Lawn has become known as a settling point for Syrian newcomers, with Arabic-speaking community services and Middle Eastern businesses concentrated in the area.
Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver all have Syrian community organizations and general newcomer settlement services, but no single neighbourhood with the same level of documented concentration as Calgary's Forest Lawn.
Section 5
Converting your budget to Canadian dollars
The Syrian pound has seen major volatility, including a redenomination in early 2026, so a fixed conversion figure would go stale quickly and could mislead your budgeting. Use a live converter for the current rate before making any financial decisions, and expect the rate to move significantly between visits.
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 Syrian 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 Syrian newcomers
Sources