Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada (No Credit History Needed)

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You just landed in Canada, and your credit history did not come with you. Without a Canadian record, most regular card applications are hard to get through.

The big banks know this. We compared the newcomer credit card programs at RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC and TD, using only what each bank publishes on its official page.

Quick answer: RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC and TD all say a Canadian credit history is not required for eligible newcomers, and each advertises credit limits of up to $15,000 as of September 2026. RBC has the shortest window for permanent residents (arrival within 12 months). Scotiabank StartRight covers permanent residents for up to 5 years plus international students and foreign workers. CIBC and TD pair their cards with newcomer banking bundles. The right pick is usually the bank where you open your chequing account.

Updated on September 23, 2026 · Sources: RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC, TD

Key takeaways

All four banks offer unsecured cards to newcomers with no Canadian credit history.
Eligibility depends on your status and how long you have been in Canada. Check the window before you apply.
Each bank has a $0 annual fee card option, so you can start building credit without a yearly cost.

Newcomer credit card programs at a glance

Program	Who it’s for	Key numbers
RBC Newcomer Advantage	Recent PRs and temporary workers	Up to $15,000 limit · $0 annual fee card
Scotiabank StartRight	PRs up to 5 years, students, workers	Up to $15,000 limit · $0 annual fee cards
CIBC Welcome to Canada	Newcomers who want a bundle	Up to $15,000 limit · no deposit
TD New to Canada	PRs and temporary residents, 5 years or less	Up to $15,000 limit · $0 annual fee card

Figures as of September 2026, from each bank’s official page. Interest rates are in each section below.

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1. RBC Newcomer Advantage

RBC’s program is built for people who arrived very recently. It pairs a credit card with a year of chequing at no monthly fee.

At a glance

Credit limit: up to $15,000, based on your income and other financial information.
Credit history: RBC says none is required for eligible newcomers who bank with RBC.
Who qualifies: permanent residents who arrived within the last 12 months, or temporary resident workers who arrived within the last 48 months.
Card cost: the RBC Cash Back Mastercard has a $0 annual fee, a 19.99% purchase rate and a 22.99% cash advance rate.
Current offer: up to 12% bonus cash back for the first 3 months, on up to $2,000 of combined spending. It ends October 31, 2026.

Pros and cons

19.99% purchase rate on a $0 annual fee card.
$0 monthly fee on RBC Advantage Banking for the first year.
Short window for permanent residents: 12 months from arrival.
After the bonus, cash back drops to up to 2% on groceries and up to 1% elsewhere.

How to apply

Open an RBC personal banking account first, then apply for the card. Bring your immigration documents and proof of income. If you arrived more than a year ago as a permanent resident, look at the other programs below.

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2. Scotiabank StartRight

StartRight has the widest eligibility window of the four. It also lets some newcomers use their credit history from back home.

At a glance

Credit limit: up to $15,000 on an unsecured card.
Credit history: a Canadian credit history is not required. Approval depends on verifiable income and any credit history available.
Who qualifies: permanent residents in Canada for 0 to 5 years, international students and foreign workers.
Card options: Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa ($0 annual fee, 20.99% on purchases); Scotiabank Scene+ Visa ($0 annual fee, 21.99%); Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ ($150 annual fee, 20.99%).
Home-country credit: through Nova Credit, applicants from select countries can use their foreign credit history to seek a higher limit.

Pros and cons

Covers students and foreign workers, not only permanent residents.
Nova Credit can help if you had good credit abroad.
The premium travel card carries a $150 annual fee.
You usually book an appointment with an advisor to apply.

How to apply

Book an appointment with a Scotiabank advisor once you are in Canada. Bring your permit or PR card, passport and proof of income. Ask whether Nova Credit covers your home country before the meeting.

3. CIBC Welcome to Canada

CIBC combines a newcomer account with a choice of cards. The featured card suits families with high grocery and gas spending.

At a glance

Credit limit: up to $15,000 on your first CIBC card, with no security deposit. CIBC asks you to visit a branch with your immigration documents.
Credit history: CIBC says you don’t need a security deposit or a credit history.
Featured card: CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa, $99 annual fee rebated for the first 2 years, 21.99% on purchases, 3% cash back on eligible gas, EV charging and groceries. Minimum household income: $15,000.
$0 fee option: CIBC Dividend Visa, with 2% cash back on eligible groceries and 1% on eligible travel.
Bundle: up to $600 when you pair a CIBC Smart Account for Newcomers with an eligible card.

Pros and cons

Two fee-free years on a card that pays 3% in everyday categories.
Low income threshold for the featured card.
The $99 fee applies from year three unless you switch cards.
The largest limit requires a branch visit.

How to apply

Open the Smart Account for Newcomers, then apply for the card in the same visit. Ask the advisor to confirm which bundle conditions apply to you.

4. TD New to Canada

TD focuses on permanent residents for its highest limits. It also runs a newcomer banking package with card offers.

At a glance

Credit limit: TD says permanent residents may be eligible for up to $15,000, even with no credit history.
Who qualifies: newcomer offers are for permanent or temporary residents who have been in Canada for 5 years or less.
Card cost: the TD Cash Back Visa has a $0 annual fee, a 21.99% purchase rate and a 22.99% cash advance rate.
Rewards: 1% on groceries, gas and EV charging, transit, recurring bills and streaming (up to $5,000 a year per category); 0.5% on other purchases.
Current offer: up to $150 in Cash Back Dollars when you spend $1,500 or more in the first 3 months. It ends October 1, 2026.

Pros and cons

Clear welcome offer on a $0 annual fee card.
Also offers an Aeroplan card with the first-year fee waived ($89 value).
The highest advertised limit is aimed at permanent residents.
Base reward rates are lower than CIBC’s featured card.

How to apply

Visit a TD branch and say you are new to Canada. That unlocks the package. Bring your immigration documents and proof of income or enrolment.

How to choose your first Canadian card

Choose RBC if you arrived as a permanent resident less than a year ago and want a 19.99% purchase rate on a $0 annual fee card.
Choose Scotiabank StartRight if you are an international student or worker, or you had strong credit abroad.
Choose CIBC if groceries and gas are your biggest costs and you want two years without a card fee.
Choose TD if you are a permanent resident and want a simple $0 annual fee cash back card.

Still setting up your accounts? See our guide to banking for newcomers in Canada.

If you are declined

A decline is common when income is new or hard to verify. A secured credit card that reports to both bureaus is the usual next step. Some newcomers also compare fintech cards like KOHO, Neo and Wealthsimple.

Your first-year credit checklist

Open a chequing account at the same bank as your card.
Use the card for one or two regular bills.
Set up automatic payment of the full statement balance.
Keep your balance well below your limit.
Check your credit report for free with Equifax and TransUnion after a few months (how to order it, per FCAC).

Canadian scores usually range from 300 to 900, and on-time payments push them up, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). See how to build and check your credit score in Canada for the full routine.

How we compared these programs

Sources: only each bank’s official newcomer and card pages. Every offer was checked on September 23, 2026.
Criteria: credit history requirement, eligibility window, advertised limit, annual fee, purchase interest rate and current offers.
Order: no ranking. Programs are listed alphabetically by bank, because the best fit depends on your status and arrival date.
Scope: programs for residents of Canada. Rates are the standard rates each bank publishes; Quebec terms can differ.
Independence: no bank paid for placement.

Not financial advice. Rates and terms checked on September 23, 2026 with each provider’s official page; confirm before applying.

FAQ

Can I get a credit card in Canada with no credit history?

Yes. RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC and TD all say eligible newcomers can get an unsecured card without a Canadian credit history. You still need to meet their status, time-in-Canada and income conditions.

What credit limit will I get as a newcomer?

Each bank advertises up to $15,000, but that is a ceiling. Your actual limit is set from your income and other financial information.

Can international students get a newcomer credit card?

Scotiabank StartRight explicitly includes international students. RBC’s program covers permanent residents and temporary resident workers. Check each bank’s page for your exact status.

Does my credit history from another country count?

Canadian bureaus don’t import foreign files automatically. Scotiabank works with Nova Credit so applicants from select countries can use their home-country history.

Should I open a bank account before applying?

Usually, yes. RBC requires you to be a personal banking client, and CIBC and TD pair their cards with newcomer banking packages.

For the full picture, see our hub Best Credit Cards in Canada 2026, the best credit cards in Canada for 2026 and the best $0 annual fee cash back cards in Canada.

Sources

Ieveera SEO is an independent publisher, not a bank or financial advisor; content is for information only and may include paid affiliate links that never affect our rankings — always confirm current rates and terms with the provider. Rates shown in CAD; verify with the issuer.