NRI Guide: Buying Real Estate in Calgary

I’m Mohit Dhillon, a licensed Calgary REALTOR® with Century 21 Bravo Realty. I help NRI and out-of-country buyers purchase in Calgary with a strategy-first approach that prioritizes eligibility clarity, neighbourhood selection, and clean execution. That means we start by confirming what you can buy based on your current status, then we narrow the search to areas and property types that make sense for your goal—future family use, long-term wealth building, or rental performance. If you’re buying from outside Calgary, I coordinate the process so it’s structured and low-stress: virtual tours when needed, clear offer strategy, condition timelines, inspection coordination, and a closing plan with the right professionals involved (lawyer, mortgage, insurance, and property management if applicable). The focus is simple: reduce risk, avoid low-quality inventory, and help you move fast when the right opportunity appears.

FAQ’s

Can an NRI buy residential property in Calgary right now?
It depends on your status. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can purchase normally. If you’re considered a “non-Canadian” under federal rules, restrictions may apply to certain residential property types in census metropolitan areas like Calgary—so eligibility should be confirmed before you shortlist homes.

Does the foreign buyer ban affect Calgary purchases?
Calgary is a census metropolitan area, and the federal rules are tied to properties located in CMAs/CAs. If you’re a non-resident, confirm how the rule applies to your situation and whether any exemption fits before moving forward.

Is commercial real estate treated differently than residential?
The federal prohibition is written around “residential property” as defined in the legislation. Commercial purchases are typically evaluated differently, but your exact plan should be confirmed with legal advice—especially if you’re buying through a corporation or from outside Canada.

Do I need a bigger down payment if I’m buying from outside Canada?
Often, yes. Requirements depend on your residency status, Canadian credit history, income verification, and lender policy. The cleanest approach is to align financing early so you don’t waste time on listings you can’t close on.

What are common closing costs in Alberta for out-of-country buyers?
Typical costs include legal fees/disbursements, home inspection (recommended), insurance, property tax adjustments, and Alberta Land Titles registration fees (and mortgage registration fees if financing). Exact amounts vary by purchase and lender.

If I rent the property, how is tax handled as a non-resident?
Non-resident rental income has specific withholding and reporting rules. In many cases, a payer/agent (often a property manager) withholds non-resident tax and remits it to the CRA, and there are elections that may reduce tax depending on your situation. Set this up properly before the first tenant moves in.

Can you help if I’m not in Calgary for showings?
Yes. We can shortlist efficiently, use virtual walk-throughs where appropriate, coordinate inspections, and keep the offer/condition timeline organized so you can make decisions confidently from abroad.

What should I avoid when buying from outside Canada?
Buying based on photos alone, choosing weak resale pockets, underestimating condo document risk, ignoring tenant demand, and leaving financing/tax setup until after an accepted offer. A structured filter prevents most mistakes.