Neha Joneja is a Mortgage Agent Level 2 in Brampton who helps newcomers to Canada get mortgages, including permanent residents and work permit holders with little or no Canadian credit history. She works with lenders that run newcomer programs, helps document down payments sent from abroad, and serves clients in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
- 4.8 on Google (18 reviews)
- FSRA-licensed brokerage #13812
- English · हिन्दी · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Women-owned
Can you get a mortgage soon after moving to Canada?
Yes, many newcomers can. You don’t need years of Canadian credit and 20% down. Many lenders run newcomer programs that accept as little as 5% down for permanent residents and work permit holders who arrived within roughly the last five years, using other proof of how you handle money.
Neha is originally from India and worked as a banker there before building her career in Canadian mortgages. She knows what it’s like to arrive with a solid financial history that a Canadian lender can’t see on a credit report. She can walk you through every step in English, Hindi or Punjabi; learn more on her Punjabi and Hindi mortgage agent page.
Does it matter if you’re a permanent resident or on a work permit?
Your immigration status shapes which lenders will look at your file and how much you’ll need to put down. Rules differ between lenders, so treat this as a general guide:
| Permanent resident | Work permit holder | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | Often as low as 5% with many lenders | 5% with some lenders; others ask for 10% or more |
| Status documents | PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence | Valid work permit; time left on it can matter |
| Mortgage default insurance | Generally available through newcomer programs | Available with some lenders, depending on the program |
| Foreign buyer ban | Doesn’t apply to permanent residents | Check eligibility; exemptions exist |
If your PR application is in progress, tell Neha. Sometimes waiting a few months widens your options.
Approval subject to lender criteria (O.A.C.). Rates subject to change. Examples are for illustration only.
How does the foreign buyer ban affect newcomers?
The federal Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act has been extended to January 1, 2027. It restricts people who aren’t Canadian citizens or permanent residents from buying residential property. Exemptions exist, including for many work permit holders and for refugees.
Whether an exemption applies depends on your permit and situation, so confirm eligibility with a real estate lawyer before you make an offer.
What if you don’t have a Canadian credit history yet?
Lenders with newcomer programs can look at other evidence that you pay your bills on time:
- Rent receipts or a reference letter from your landlord
- Utility, internet or mobile phone bills paid in your name
- An international credit report from your home country
- A letter or statements from a bank you used abroad
Start building Canadian credit as soon as you arrive: a credit card, even a secured one, paid in full each month builds a record.
How do you bring a down payment from abroad?
Lenders must confirm where your down payment came from, and one large, unexplained deposit raises questions.
What lenders typically want:
- A 90-day history. Statements showing the funds in your account for at least 90 days, or a clear trail if they arrived more recently.
- Proof of the transfer. Wire or remittance records showing money leaving your overseas account and arriving in your Canadian one.
- Statements from the sending account. These show the funds were yours, not a short-term loan. Documents not in English may need a translation.
- A gift letter, if family is helping. Parents in India or elsewhere can gift part of the down payment. They’ll sign a letter confirming it doesn’t need to be repaid, and the money must reach your account before closing.
Move funds early to build a clean 90-day history. Having worked in banking in India, Neha knows the kinds of statements and transfer records Indian banks issue and can help you ask for exactly what a Canadian lender needs.
What employment do lenders need to see?
Most lenders want to see stable income in Canada, but the details vary more than newcomers expect:
- Full-time, permanent work is the easiest to approve.
- Probation periods are treated differently. Some lenders will approve while you’re still on probation, especially if you’re in the same field you worked in before arriving. Others want probation finished first.
- Hourly, contract or part-time work usually needs a longer track record before lenders count it fully.
- Self-employment in your first years is harder, but options exist. See self-employed mortgages in Brampton.
For example, an engineer with eight years in her field abroad, now two months into a three-month probation in the same field, may find some lenders ready to approve her now while others ask her to wait a month.
What does a newcomer mortgage look like in Brampton?
Many newcomers start out renting near Sheridan College’s Davis Campus, Bramalea City Centre or along the Züm routes on Queen Street and Steeles Avenue, then look to buy once their job is settled. Townhouses and semis in neighbourhoods like Fletcher’s Meadow and Springdale, and homes close to the Bramalea and Mount Pleasant GO stations, often come up in early conversations. Some newcomers buy with siblings or bring parents into a multi-generational home, which changes how the mortgage is structured. The first-time home buyer mortgage page covers co-buying, the FHSA and closing costs in more detail.
What newcomers usually need
- Passport and PR card, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or work permit
- Employment letter with start date, salary or hourly rate, hours and probation status
- Two recent pay stubs
- 90 days of statements for your down payment account
- Wire or remittance records for funds sent from abroad
- Gift letter and the giver’s account statements, if family is helping
- Proof of on-time rent, utility or phone payments
- International credit report, if available
How Neha helps newcomers
- Plan your paper trail: She learns your status, work and savings, then lists the documents and transfers to arrange.
- Choose a newcomer-friendly lender: She matches your file to major banks, credit unions or alternative lenders with programs that fit.
- Get pre-approved: See how mortgage pre-approval in Brampton works before you start viewing homes.
- Close and follow up: She works with your lawyer and stays in touch after you move in.
For a quick overview, read Newcomers Can Get a Mortgage Too or print the first-time buyer and newcomer checklist. Explore other options in Buy a Home, or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage on a work permit in Brampton?
Many lenders will consider work permit holders, often with 5% to 10% down or more, depending on the lender and how long your permit has left. You’ll also need to confirm you’re exempt from the foreign buyer ban before buying. Neha can tell you which lenders fit your permit type.
How long do I need to be in Canada before I can buy?
There’s no single rule. Many newcomer programs are aimed at people who arrived within about the last five years, and what matters most is stable employment, a documented down payment and some evidence of good payment habits.
Can my parents in India send money for my down payment?
Yes. Most lenders accept a gift from immediate family, including family abroad. You’ll need a signed gift letter, records of the transfer, and the funds in your Canadian account before closing. Sending it early makes the paper trail much easier.
I’ve been in Canada eight months and have no credit score. Is that a problem?
Not always. Newcomer programs can use rent receipts, utility and phone bills, or an international credit report in place of a long Canadian history.
Can I apply while I’m still on probation at my new job?
Some lenders will, particularly if you have experience in the same field from before you moved. Others want probation finished first.
Am I affected by the foreign buyer ban?
Permanent residents and citizens are not. Work permit holders and other temporary residents may be, but exemptions exist, including for many work permit holders and refugees. Check your eligibility with a real estate lawyer before you make an offer.
Can I speak with Neha in Punjabi or Hindi?
Yes. Neha works with clients in English, Hindi and Punjabi, in person in Brampton or online. Family members helping with the purchase are welcome to join.
Sources
Prefer to talk now?
Or start your application in Neha’s app (opens in a new tab).
- 4.8 on Google (18 reviews)
- FSRA-licensed brokerage #13812
- English · हिन्दी · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Women-owned
Last reviewed by Neha Joneja, Mortgage Agent Level 2, November 2026. General information only, not financial advice for your situation.