Forms & ApplicationsFebruary 13, 20269 min read

RC66 Walkthrough: Canada Child Benefit Form for Newcomer

By WelcomeAide Team

Parent completing RC66 Canada Child Benefit application form

What Is Form RC66?

Quick tip: download the official RC66 first, then fill it while following this guide: Download RC66 form (official CRA).

Form RC66 is the official Canada Child Benefits Application used to apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), the GST/HST credit, and any related provincial or territorial child benefit programs. For newcomers to Canada with children under 18, this is one of the most important forms you will complete — it can unlock hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month in tax-free payments.

This guide walks you through every section of the RC66 form, explains common pitfalls, and ensures you submit a complete application so your benefits start as quickly as possible.

Download the form: Form RC66 — Canada.ca.

Parent filling out RC66 Canada Child Benefits Application form

Before You Start: Documents You Need

Gather these documents before sitting down with the form:

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and your spouse's SIN
Your children's birth certificates (or Confirmation of Permanent Residence if children landed with you)
Your immigration documents — CoPR, PR card, work permit, or study permit
Proof of your date of entry into Canada (stamp in passport, CoPR date)
Your spouse's immigration documents
Income information — your worldwide income for the year before your arrival (pay stubs, tax returns from your home country, employment letters)
Your Canadian address
Your bank account information for direct deposit setup

Having everything ready before you start prevents delays from incomplete submissions.

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

Part 1: Information About You (the Applicant)

This section asks for your personal details as the primary caregiver. The primary caregiver is the person who is mainly responsible for the care and upbringing of the children.

Last name and first name: Use the name exactly as it appears on your immigration documents
Social Insurance Number: Your 9-digit SIN. If you do not have one yet, apply immediately at Service Canada — see our SIN guide
Date of birth: Year-Month-Day format (YYYY-MM-DD)
Marital status: Select your current status. If you are married or in a common-law relationship, you MUST include your spouse/partner's information in Part 2
Home address: Your current Canadian mailing address. Ensure this is accurate — your benefit cheques or correspondence will be mailed here

Important note about the primary caregiver: The CRA presumes the female parent is the primary caregiver unless the male parent applies with supporting documentation. If the father is the primary caregiver, he can apply but may need to provide a letter signed by the female parent confirming the arrangement.

Part 2: Information About Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner

If you are married or have a common-law partner (someone you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months), you must complete this section with their:

Full legal name
Social Insurance Number
Date of birth

Critical: Both you AND your spouse must file Canadian tax returns each year for benefits to continue. If one partner does not file, the CRA cannot calculate your family income and will stop payments.

Part 3: Information About the Child(ren)

List every child under 18 who lives with you. For each child, provide:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Sex
Relationship to you (biological child, adopted child, stepchild, grandchild, etc.)
Whether the child started living with you on a different date than your arrival in Canada

If you have more children than the form has space for, attach a separate sheet with the same information for each additional child.

Newcomer family with children preparing benefits application documents

Part 4: Newcomer Information

This section is specifically for people who recently arrived in Canada. You will need to provide:

Date of entry into Canada: The date you physically arrived and became a resident
Your status in Canada: Permanent resident, protected person, temporary resident (specify type of permit)
Country you came from: Your country of previous residence

Schedule RC66SCH: Status in Canada and Income Information

As a newcomer, you must also complete Schedule RC66SCH. This separate schedule asks for:

Your immigration status details
Your worldwide income from January 1 to your date of arrival in Canada — this means income earned in your home country before you moved. Include employment income, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, pensions, and any other sources
Your spouse's worldwide income for the same period
Income is reported in Canadian dollars — use the Bank of Canada exchange rate for the relevant period

Why does the CRA need foreign income? The CCB is income-tested. Since you do not have a full year of Canadian income history, the CRA uses your worldwide income to estimate what you would have earned for the full year. This determines your initial benefit amount. Once you file your first full Canadian tax return, benefits are recalculated based on actual Canadian income.

How to Submit the Form

You have several submission options:

By mail: Print, sign, and mail to the CRA tax centre for your province. The address is on the form. Include all supporting documents (copies of immigration papers, not originals).
Through CRA My Account: If you have already set up CRA My Account, you can submit online. See our CRA My Account setup guide.
At the hospital (newborns only): If your baby was born in Canada, the hospital's Automated Benefits Application service can register your newborn for the CCB.

Processing Time and First Payment

Paper applications: 8-11 weeks processing time
Online applications: 6-8 weeks processing time
Retroactive payments: Once approved, you may receive a lump-sum payment covering up to 11 months of retroactive benefits from your application date or arrival date

Set up direct deposit through CRA My Account or by providing a void cheque or direct deposit form from your bank. This ensures faster and more reliable payments.

Common Mistakes That Delay Processing

Missing SIN: Both your SIN and your spouse's SIN are required. Apply for SINs before submitting the RC66.
Unsigned form: The form must be signed by the applicant. Unsigned forms are returned.
Missing Schedule RC66SCH: Newcomers MUST include this schedule. Without it, your application is incomplete.
Incorrect income conversion: Convert foreign income to CAD using the Bank of Canada annual average exchange rate.
Wrong marital status: If you select "single" when you are married, your benefit will be calculated incorrectly and you may have to repay overpayments.
Not including all children: List every child under 18 living with you.

After You Submit: What to Expect

After submitting your RC66:

You will receive a Notice of Determination from the CRA confirming your eligibility and benefit amount
Your first payment will arrive on the next monthly payment date after processing
Payments continue monthly on or around the 20th of each month
Each July, your benefit is recalculated based on the previous year's tax return

Family receiving Canada Child Benefit approval notice

Key Takeaways

Form RC66 is your application for the Canada Child Benefit and related benefits
Newcomers must also complete Schedule RC66SCH with worldwide income information
Both parents need SINs and must file tax returns annually
Submit as early as possible — retroactive payments only go back 11 months
Double-check your marital status, income figures, and children's information before submitting
Set up direct deposit for faster, more reliable payments

Download This Form

Before you submit anything, download the latest official file here: Download RC66 form (official CRA). Always use the latest version.

Related internal guides

Official external resources

What Happens After You Apply for the CCB?

Once you've diligently completed and submitted your RC66 form, you might be wondering about the next steps. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) processes applications, and while they aim for efficiency, it's important to understand the typical timeline and how to monitor your application.

For newcomers, processing times can sometimes take longer than for established residents, as the CRA may need to verify your immigration status and residency. Generally, it can take up to 8-11 weeks from the date your completed application is received. If the CRA requires additional information or clarification, they will contact you by mail. It's crucial to respond promptly to any requests to avoid further delays.

To keep track of your application's progress and your benefit payments, it's highly recommended to register for a CRA My Account. This secure online portal allows you to view your benefit statement, payment dates, and update your personal information. You can set up your account at canada.ca/my-account. If you have general questions about benefits or need help navigating the process, our AI Navigator can provide quick, tailored answers.

Ensure you have direct deposit set up with the CRA. This is the...

Related Resources

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