Policies
Canada's Foreign Buyer Ban: Who Can't Buy and Who Can (2026 Update)
The federal foreign buyer ban is currently set to expire on January 1, 2027. Non-citizens and non-permanent residents generally cannot buy residential properties of up to three units in census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, but there are exceptions, such as eligible work permit holders, international students, refugees, and purchases with a spouse who is a citizen or PR. In Ontario, you also need to consider the province-wide 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST). Includes a status self-check, common misconceptions and a comparison with the NRST.