RC66 and RC66SCH Walkthrough for Newcomers (2026)

Key takeaways

Use the 2026 versions: RC66 E (26) and RC66SCH E (26)
RC66SCH is required if either parent became a resident in the last two years or has not been a citizen for 12 months
Report world income in Canadian dollars for the arrival year and the year before (and two years before if you arrived January to May)
Attach proof of birth for each child and translations of foreign documents
The CRA aims to answer a complete paper application within 11 weeks

Which forms do newcomers need?

Form	What it does	Who needs it
RC66, Canada Child Benefit Application	Applies for the CCB. Also checks the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) and provincial programs the CRA runs	The parent who is primarily responsible for the child
RC66SCH, Status in Canada and Income Information	Gives your residency date, immigration status and world income	Newcomers and returning residents in the last two years; anyone not a citizen for the last 12 months
RC66-1, Additional Children	Space for a third child and more	Families with more than two children
CTB9, Income of Non-Resident Spouse or Common-Law Partner	Reports a partner’s income while they live outside Canada	Families with a partner abroad

For the rules and amounts, see the Canada Child Benefit guide.

Form RC66, step by step

Step 1, your information. Social insurance number (SIN), name, date of birth, language, phone. If you cannot get a SIN, enter your temporary tax number (TTN). See how to get a SIN.
Step 2, address. Mailing and home address. Say if you moved from another province in the last 12 months.
Step 3, marital status. Your current status and the date it began. Add your partner’s SIN (or TTN), name and date of birth. Tick the box if your partner is a non-resident.
Step 4, citizenship. Has each of you been a Canadian citizen for the last 12 months? A “no” means you must fill out RC66SCH.
Step 5, newcomer. In the last two years, did either of you become a newcomer, or return after six months or more away? A “yes” means you must fill out RC66SCH.
Step 6, children. For each child: name, gender, date of birth, city and country of birth, and how much of the time the child lives with you. More than 60% is full custody. 40% to 60% is shared custody. Less than 40% is not eligible.
Step 7, signature and date.

The form says the female parent is usually presumed to be primarily responsible when she lives with the child. If the other parent applies, attach a signed letter from her saying so.

Schedule RC66SCH, step by step

Step 1, identification. Your SIN or TTN and name, and your partner’s.
Step 2, residency. Part A for newcomers: the date each of you became a resident of Canada. The form says this is the date you set up significant residential ties, such as a home, a partner or dependants in Canada. It is usually the day you came to live here.
Step 3, citizenship or immigration status. Fill in the part for each person:
- Permanent resident: the date on your confirmation of permanent residence or PR card.
- Protected person: the date on your positive Immigration and Refugee Board decision.
- Temporary resident: the start and expiry dates of each permit that covers the time after your first 18 months.
Step 4, income. World income not reported on a Canadian return (next section).
Step 5, signature.

Temporary residents: you may not have lived in Canada for 18 months yet. Or your permit may say “does not confer status”. In both cases, the CRA uses the form only for the CGEB and other programs. Apply again for the CCB once you qualify.

How to report your world income

Enter income from all sources, in Canada and abroad, that was not on a Canadian tax return. Convert each amount to Canadian dollars at the Bank of Canada rate on the day you received it. Write “0” if you had none.

Arrival date	Sections to fill
January 1 to May 31	A (arrival year, up to your arrival date), B (one year before), C (two years before)
June 1 to December 31	A and B

Example: a family becomes resident on March 10, 2026. They report income from January 1 to March 10, 2026, plus all of 2025 and all of 2024. If the partner did not arrive in 2026, leave the partner’s part A blank. Report the partner’s income on Form CTB9 when you file your 2026 return instead.

Checklist: what goes in the envelope

Signed Form RC66
Signed Schedule RC66SCH
Proof of birth for each child the CRA has never paid benefits for. The form accepts a birth certificate, a certified copy of birth registration, a hospital record, a passport and other records. For children born outside Canada, IRCC documents such as a PR card or confirmation of permanent residence also count
An English or French translation of any document in another language, with a copy of the original
Form RC66-1 if you have more than two children
A signed letter from the female parent, if the other parent is applying
If the period began more than 11 months ago: proof of birth, at least three proofs of residence in Canada, at least three proofs that you care for the child, and proof of status for both partners
A copy of everything for your records

The schedule itself says you do not have to send supporting documents with RC66SCH, but the CRA may ask for them later. Keep your immigration papers handy.

Where to mail it

You live in	Mail to
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon	Winnipeg Tax Centre, Post Office Box 14005, Station Main, Winnipeg MB R3C 0E3
New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island	Sudbury Tax Centre, Post Office Box 20000, Station A, Sudbury ON P3A 5C1
Quebec	Jonquière Tax Centre, 2251 René-Lévesque Boulevard, Jonquière QC G7S 5J2

The CRA says its goal is to send your notice or payment within 11 weeks of getting a complete paper application. You can follow it in CRA My Account once you have access.

Common mistakes that delay RC66

Missing RC66SCH. If you answered “no” in Step 4 or “yes” in Step 5, the schedule is required.
Wrong residency date. Use the day you set up a home in Canada, not a past visit.
Foreign income in the wrong currency. Every amount must be in Canadian dollars.
Applying too early on a permit. Before month 19, the CRA will not pay the CCB. Note the date and apply again.
Two parents applying. Only the parent primarily responsible applies, except in shared custody.
Forgetting to file. Payments stop if either partner does not file a return each year. See your first tax return.

Common questions

Do I need RC151 if I send RC66?

No. RC66 also registers you for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. RC151 is for people who are not applying for the CCB.

Which date do I use for permanent residence?

The date on your confirmation document, such as your confirmation of permanent residence or the back of your PR card.

My spouse is still abroad. What do I put?

Tick the box that your spouse is a non-resident. Report their income on Form CTB9 for each year or part year they were a non-resident.

Do I need certified translations?

The form asks for an “acceptable” English or French translation with a copy of the original. The CRA explains what is acceptable on its supporting documents page.

How long does it take?

The CRA says its goal is to issue your notice or payment within 11 weeks of receiving a complete paper application.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 10, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

RC66 walkthrough: applying for the Canada Child Benefit as a newcomer