Why do you need a record of Landing to get your Old Age Security? 

Because you were born outside of Canada, whether you’re a Canadian citizen or a legal permanent resident of Canada, the government requires proof of your time lived in Canada to make sure you qualify for OAS. If you don’t have your Record of Landing, you will need what is called a Verification of Status (VOS). Other documents you may need are a citizenship certificate or a Canadian passport.  For more information, please click here. 

Tip: Need to replace your Record of Landing; click here for a do-it-yourself guide. 

How fast can I get my record of Landing? 

These documents can take many months, but it can be expedited, if done correctly. Click here to learn more.

Tip: Click here if you need to look up a definition.

Defining what an OAS Pension is

Old Age Security (OAS) is a retirement pension run by the federal government. It is available to most Canadians over 65 who have both worked and lived in the country. Prior to 2013, in order to get your OAS pension, you had to submit an application. Since 2013, there has been an automatic enrolment process. However, if you were not automatically enrolled or if you deferred payment when you were enrolled, you still have to submit an application to receive your OAS pension. If you are a naturalized citizen or you are or were a permanent resident for a minimum of 10 years between age 18 and age 64, you will need to show when you landed in the country with your Record of Landing or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence.

Determining OAS Eligibility

In order to apply for an OAS pension, the eligibility requirements state you must currently be living in the country or have lived here for at least 10 years.

OAS Eligibility for those Currently Living in Canada

• You must be at least 65 years of age;
• You must be a Canadian citizen at the time of your application OR
• You must be a permanent resident of Canada or otherwise a “legal resident” at the time of your application;
• You must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since you turned 18 years of age.

OAS Eligibility for those Currently Living Outside of Canada

• You must be at least 65 years of age;
• You must have been a citizen on the day before you moved abroad OR
• You must have been a “legal resident” on the day before you moved outside the country;
• You have lived in the country for at least 20 years since you turned 18 years of age.

It’s possible that you could still be eligible for your OAS pension if you do not meet one of the above situations. For example, if you have worked for a Canadian company overseas, you are probably still eligible. Also, if you are currently living (or have lived) in a country that we have a Social Security Agreement with, and you’ve paid into that program, you could be eligible for OAS senior benefits. Contact Service Canada for more information.

Required Documentation to Apply for OAS

What you are required to provide depends upon your situation. You must provide originals or a certified copy of the required documents with your application.

• Born and lived in Canada your entire life: You do not need to submit proof of legal status in Canada.
• Born here but moved overseas and became a citizen of another country prior to February 15, 1977: If you became a citizen of another country before February 15, 1977, you could have lost your citizenship when you are naturalized in another country. If you are not sure whether or not you are still a Canadian citizen, you should get your Canadian citizenship certificate.
• Born here but moved overseas: You need to provide:
  • your Canadian passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate
  • proof of your residence in Canada for more than 20 years after the age of 18
• Born abroad but naturalized as a Canadian citizen over 10 years ago, after the age of 18: You need to provide your citizenship certificate or card, your naturalization certificate, or your Canadian passport (expired is okay provided it was issued after 1970).
• Born abroad but naturalized as a Canadian citizen less than 10 years ago: You need to provide your citizenship certificate or your passport and your Confirmation of Permanent Residence or a Verification of Status (VOS); you may have to provide additional documentation about your residence here with your application.
• Born abroad and current or past permanent resident for at least 10 years after the age of 18: You need to provide
  • your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (or VOS, or other landing paper if you landed before form IMM 1000 existed):
  • any current or expired passports you have that show entries to Canada
  • your CBSA Travel History Report
  • your customs declarations
  • any document that Service Canada will accept as proof of residence (contact them for details).
• Born overseas and current or past temporary resident here for at least 10 years after the age of 18: You must provide
  • your temporary residence permit(s) or your study permit(s) or your work permits
  • any current or expired passports you have that show entries into Canada
  • any other document that Service Canada will accept as proof of residence (contact them for details).

Note: If you are currently outside the country, the requirement is 20 years of residence in Canada, not 10 years.

Service Canada may request your Birth Certificate to confirm your Date of Birth.

Why do I need my Verification of Status (or IMM 1000) for my Old Age Security?

The government needs to ensure that you are a permanent resident who has lived in the country for the required time in order to consider you eligible to receive your OAS senior benefit. If you don’t have a Record of Landing or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), then you will need to instead provide a Verification of Status (VOS) as a replacement document when you submit your application. Your VOS document shows your personal information when you arrived and how long you lived in the country. This helps ensure you have lived here for the required time as a permanent resident.

Please remember that for a Verification of Status document, it can take 6 months of processing after you submit an application to IRCC , so make sure you apply ahead of time if you need it for your OAS application. You’ll need a copy of a photo ID like a passport, driver’s license, or photo health card if you have one; as well as one other valid ID like a marriage license or birth certificate.

How Does OAS Affect my Ontario Works Payments?

If you are a resident of Ontario, you may be eligible for support payments under the Ontario Works program. However, these payments depend on any other source of income you may have, including the following:

• Income from a job
• CPP or GIS,
• OAS pensions
• Employment insurance
• Sponsorship Support or Spousal Support
• GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income Supplement)
• OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program)
• WSIB benefits (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)

If your overall income (including with the above listed sources of income) is still deemed to be insufficient, you may be eligible for Ontario Works financial assistance. In other words, OAS pensions, along with other sources of income, are added to your income to see if you still qualify for Ontario Works support payments.

As well, you also have the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) which requires you to have a medical condition you are dealing with in order to be eligible. For more information, see Ontario Works website or find your local Ontario Works office.

How to Certify Your Immigration Documents to Apply for OAS

If you apply in person, bring your originals to Service Canada, and they will certify them for you. Otherwise, people in the following occupations can certify any original document (Canada only):

• Accountant
• Chief of First Nations Band
• Funeral Director
• Justice of the Peace
• Lawyer, Magistrate, Notary
• Manager of a Financial Institution
• The following Medical or Health Practitioners: Chiropractor, Dentist, Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, Pharmacist, Psychologist, Registered Nurse
• Member of Parliament or staff
• Member of Provincial Legislature/Parliament or staff
• Minister of Religion
• Municipal Clerk
• Official of a federal, provincial or territorial government or one of its agencies
• Official of an Embassy, Consulate or High Commission
• Official of a country with which Canada has a reciprocal Social Security Agreement
• Police Officer
• Postmaster
• Social Worker
• Teacher.

If you are overseas, you should see if you can get your documents certified by the nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.

How to Apply for Old Age Security (OAS)

To apply, complete the application and include your original documents or a certified copy of the document, as well as provide your banking information.

Apply in person by going to the nearest Service Canada.

To apply by mail, submit your application to the office responsible for OAS for your province (and your postal code). If you live abroad, submit it to the office for the province you last resided in.

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