General information only — not legal, tax, financial, or real-estate advice. Verify with a licensed BC professional before acting.
Non-Canadians face specific restrictions when buying residential property in BC. This page covers what applies in 2026.
In effect since 2023 and extended to 2027. Bans most non-Canadians from buying residential real estate in Canada. Key exceptions: temporary residents (workers/students meeting specific criteria), refugees, purchases outside CMA/CA census areas, and recreational properties >1.2 hectares in certain zones. Full exception list: canada.ca.
20% additional PTT applies to foreign nationals purchasing residential property in specific BC areas: Metro Vancouver Regional District, Capital Regional District, Fraser Valley Regional District, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Regional District of Nanaimo. This is on top of the standard PTT.
Annual tax on residential property owners in taxable areas. Rate: 0.5% (Canadian citizens/PRs) or 2% (foreign owners/satellite families). Applies to Metro Vancouver, Capital, Fraser Valley, Central Okanagan, Nanaimo Regional Districts + specific municipalities.
1% federal tax on vacant/underused residential property owned by non-resident non-Canadians. Annual UHT return required even if exempt.
Several Canadian lenders have specific newcomer programs (up to 35% down, 5-year international credit-history recognition). Ask a licensed BC mortgage broker for current 2026 program terms.