How to Apply for Old Age Security (OAS) in Canada as a Newcomer
By WelcomeAide Team
What Is Old Age Security?
Old Age Security (OAS) is a monthly payment from the Government of Canada available to most people aged 65 and older. Unlike the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), you do not need to have worked in Canada to receive OAS. Eligibility is based on how long you have lived in Canada after the age of 18. For newcomers to Canada, understanding OAS is especially important because the rules for residency and eligibility can be complex.
This guide explains how OAS works, who is eligible, how to apply using form ISP-3550, and how the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides additional support for low-income seniors.
OAS Eligibility Requirements
The 10-Year Residency Rule
To receive OAS while living in Canada, you must meet the following basic requirements:
- You must be 65 years of age or older.
- You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident (including permanent residents) at the time your application is approved.
- You must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after the age of 18.
The 10-year residency requirement is the most important rule for newcomers. If you immigrated to Canada at age 60, for example, you would not meet the 10-year requirement until age 70. However, there are exceptions through international social security agreements that may help you qualify earlier.
Receiving OAS Outside Canada
If you want to receive OAS payments while living outside Canada, the requirements are stricter. You must have lived in Canada for at least 20 years after the age of 18 to receive OAS payments outside the country. If you have fewer than 20 years of Canadian residence, your OAS payments will stop six months after you leave Canada.
International Social Security Agreements
Canada has social security agreements with over 60 countries. These agreements can help newcomer seniors qualify for OAS even if they have not lived in Canada for 10 years.
Under these agreements, periods of residence or contributions to the social security system in your home country can be counted toward the 10-year requirement for OAS. For example, if you lived in a country that has an agreement with Canada for 30 years and then lived in Canada for 5 years, your combined periods may meet the eligibility threshold.
Countries with Agreements
Some of the countries that have social security agreements with Canada include:
- United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, India, China
- Many European, Caribbean, and South American countries
- Several African and Middle Eastern countries
The full list is available on the Government of Canada website. If your country is on the list, you should mention this in your OAS application.
Important Limitation
Even with an international agreement, you must have lived in Canada for at least one full year after the age of 18 to qualify under the agreement rules. The agreement helps you meet the 10-year threshold, but it does not eliminate the need for some Canadian residence.
How Much Does OAS Pay?
Full and Partial Pensions
The amount of OAS you receive depends on how long you have lived in Canada after the age of 18. The maximum monthly OAS payment (as of the first quarter of 2026) is approximately $727 CAD for seniors aged 65 to 74 and approximately $800 CAD for seniors aged 75 and older.
To receive the full OAS pension, you must have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after age 18. If you have lived in Canada for fewer than 40 years, you receive a partial pension. The partial pension is calculated as 1/40th of the full amount for each complete year of Canadian residence.
For example, if you have lived in Canada for 15 years after age 18, you would receive 15/40ths of the full pension, which is approximately $272 CAD per month (for those aged 65 to 74).
OAS Clawback
If your annual income exceeds a certain threshold, part or all of your OAS may be clawed back through the OAS Recovery Tax. For the 2025 tax year, the threshold is approximately $90,997 CAD. If your income is above this amount, you will repay 15 cents of OAS for every dollar of income above the threshold. If your income exceeds approximately $148,000 CAD, your entire OAS pension is clawed back. Most newcomer seniors do not need to worry about the clawback, as it only affects high-income earners.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is a monthly tax-free payment for low-income OAS recipients. GIS is one of the most important benefits for newcomer seniors, as it can significantly increase your monthly income.
Eligibility
To receive GIS, you must:
- Be receiving OAS
- Live in Canada
- Have an annual income below the GIS threshold
For single seniors, the maximum annual income to qualify for GIS (excluding OAS) is approximately $21,624 CAD. For couples where both partners receive OAS, the combined income threshold is approximately $28,560 CAD. These thresholds change each year.
How Much Does GIS Pay?
The maximum monthly GIS payment for a single senior is approximately $1,065 CAD (as of early 2026). For a senior whose spouse also receives OAS, the maximum is approximately $641 CAD per person. The amount you receive decreases as your income increases. GIS combined with OAS can provide a single senior with up to approximately $1,792 CAD per month.
GIS is recalculated every year based on your income tax return. You must file your income tax return every year to continue receiving GIS, even if you have no income to report.
How to Apply for OAS and GIS
Automatic Enrollment
Some people are automatically enrolled for OAS. Service Canada will send you a letter the month after you turn 64 if you are eligible for automatic enrollment. If you receive this letter, you do not need to apply. However, most newcomers are not automatically enrolled and must apply themselves.
Applying with Form ISP-3550
If you are not automatically enrolled, you must complete and submit form ISP-3550 (Application for the Old Age Security Pension). You can apply online through My Service Canada Account, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
The application asks for:
- Your personal information (name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number)
- Your immigration and residency history (all countries where you have lived since age 18, with dates)
- Your marital status and spouse's information
- Your banking information for direct deposit
- Information about any social security benefits you receive from other countries
If you want to apply for GIS at the same time, check the GIS section on the same form. You will need to provide your most recent income tax information.
When to Apply
You should apply for OAS up to 11 months before you want your payments to start. If you are already 65 and eligible, apply as soon as possible. OAS can be backdated for up to 11 months, but not longer. If you delay your application, you may lose payments.
You can also choose to defer your OAS pension to a later date, up to age 70. For each month you defer past 65, your pension increases by 0.6%, for a maximum increase of 36% if you start at age 70. Deferral can make sense if you have other income and want a higher monthly payment later.
Required Documents
When you apply, you may need to provide:
- Proof of birth (birth certificate or passport)
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or immigration status
- Proof of residence in Canada (tax returns, rental agreements, utility bills for each year of residence)
- Social Insurance Number
- Information about periods of residence in countries with social security agreements
Other Benefits for Seniors
The Allowance
The Allowance is a monthly payment for people aged 60 to 64 who are the spouse or common-law partner of a GIS recipient. The maximum monthly Allowance payment is approximately $1,354 CAD. To qualify, the couple's combined annual income must be below approximately $39,984 CAD.
The Allowance for the Survivor
If you are aged 60 to 64, your spouse or partner has passed away, and you have not remarried or entered a new common-law relationship, you may be eligible for the Allowance for the Survivor. The maximum monthly payment is approximately $1,614 CAD, and your annual income must be below approximately $29,112 CAD.
Provincial Benefits
In addition to federal benefits, BC offers the BC Senior's Supplement, which provides a small monthly top-up to seniors who receive federal OAS and GIS. The supplement is paid automatically to eligible recipients. BC also offers subsidized housing, transit discounts (the BC Bus Pass program for low-income seniors costs $45 per year), and PharmaCare coverage for prescription drugs.
Common Questions from Newcomer Seniors
I just arrived in Canada at age 67. Can I get OAS right away?
No. You must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18. However, if your home country has a social security agreement with Canada, your years of residence there may be combined with your Canadian residence to meet the 10-year requirement. You still need at least one year of residence in Canada.
I am sponsoring my parents. Will they qualify for OAS?
Sponsored parents can qualify for OAS after meeting the 10-year residency requirement. However, during the sponsorship period (typically 20 years for parents), the sponsor is financially responsible for the parent. If the parent receives GIS during the sponsorship period, the government may seek repayment from the sponsor.
Do I need to file taxes to receive OAS and GIS?
Yes. You must file your Canadian income tax return every year. GIS eligibility and payment amounts are calculated based on your tax return. If you do not file, your GIS payments may be stopped. You can get free help filing your taxes through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program if your income is modest.
How WelcomeAide Can Help
Understanding government benefits can be overwhelming, especially in a new country. WelcomeAide's programs provide newcomers with clear, accessible information about the services available to them in Canada.
Our multilingual AI chat assistant can help you understand OAS, GIS, and other benefits in your preferred language. Learn more about our mission on our about page, see the difference we are making on our impact page, or explore more settlement guides on our blog.
You have worked hard your whole life. Make sure you receive the benefits you are entitled to in Canada. Apply early, file your taxes every year, and ask for help when you need it.