Can I get an NRST rebate if I become a permanent resident within a set time after buying my home?

Yes - Ontario provides a rebate pathway for buyers who pay the Non-Resident Speculation Tax at the time of purchase but subsequently become a permanent resident within a defined window afterward. The idea is that the tax is aimed at speculative, non-resident buying rather than at someone genuinely settling in Canada, so becoming a permanent resident within the required timeframe can support getting some or all of what was paid back through a rebate application.

Because the exact length of that window, and the documentation and process required to apply, are the kind of specific administrative detail that can change, this should be confirmed directly against Ontario's current published rebate rules rather than assumed from a general sense of "there's a window for this." Missing the required timeframe or the application process can mean losing out on a rebate you might otherwise have qualified for.

If you paid NRST and are on a path to permanent residency, track the current rebate window and application requirements carefully, and speak with a lawyer about timing your application correctly.