What is OAS Partial Pension for Immigrants?
Immigrants often qualify for a partial OAS pension rather than a full one because the pension is based on years of Canadian residence after age 18.
Do I Qualify?
- You must meet the normal OAS age rules
- You generally need at least 10 years of residence in Canada to start
- A full pension usually requires 40 years of residence
- International social security agreements may help in some cases
How Much Can I Get?
A rough starting formula is years of Canadian residence divided by 40, multiplied by the full OAS pension rate, subject to the exact legal rules and any international agreement effect.
How to Apply
Apply through Service Canada and be ready to document residence history carefully, especially if time in multiple countries is relevant.
Visit Official Application PageFrequently Asked Questions
How much OAS can I get with 20 years in Canada?
A common rough guide is that 20 years can produce about half of the full pension, though the final result depends on the exact legal rules and timing.
Does my home country agreement count?
Possibly. Canada has social security agreements with many countries, and some can help with eligibility.
When does the 10 years start?
The rule looks at years of residence in Canada after age 18, not just calendar years since immigration paperwork was issued.
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