Your first weeks: where to stay while you search
Updated 2026-10-19English original
Official source: IRCC · Prepare for life in Canada ↗
Published 2026-10-19Last checked 2026-10-19Language English
If this page and the official page differ, the official page is right.
Why not rent from abroad
It is hard to check a place you have not seen, and scammers target people who are not here yet. Many newcomers book a short stay for two to four weeks.
Options
- Short-term rentals and hotels with weekly rates.
- Furnished sublets for one to three months.
- Rooms in shared houses.
- Settlement agencies can tell you about temporary housing help in your city.
Use the time
Visit neighbourhoods, check transit to your work or school, and get your SIN and bank account set up. Landlords trust applicants who are already in town.
General information, not legal advice. Every guide links to the official source and shows when we last checked it. For your own case, use IRCC’s tools or a licensed consultant.