The Big-5 banks bend their rules for newcomers — unsecured cards approved with no Canadian credit history. Or go secured for guaranteed approval. We rank all 10 options by ease of approval and value.
Newcomer Advantage perks · streaming category
StartRight program · multilingual support
TD New to Canada · easy approval
World Elite benefits · insurance
Welcome bonus + CIBC Aventura points
Reports to both bureaus monthly
$0 annual fee · low minimum
Very low deposit · accepted everywhere MC
Merchant partner cashback · Hudson's Bay co-brand
Pick your 2% categories · Scotia network
→ Apply for THEIR card. Approval is built into the program. RBC, TD, Scotia, BMO, CIBC all have unsecured options for newcomers.
→ Refresh Secured Visa. $0 annual fee, $200 minimum deposit, builds credit fast. Best for tight budgets.
→ Capital One Guaranteed. $75 minimum deposit, accepted globally as Mastercard. Most flexible for low-income newcomers.
→ BMO CashBack World Elite via NewStart. 3% on groceries can earn $360+/yr cashback.
No — that's exactly who newcomer programs are FOR. As long as you have a SIN + proof of status (PR, work permit, study permit), you're eligible. The bank can't pull a credit report if there's nothing to pull.
Typically $500-$2,500 to start. Big-5 newcomer cards usually start at $1,000-$2,000. Secured cards = whatever your deposit is. After 6 months of good use, ask for an increase.
No. Pick ONE. Each hard inquiry drops your score ~5 points. Even with no credit history, multiple applications in a short window flag you as desperate. Get one card, use it well for 6 months, then apply for a second.
Apply for a secured card instead (Home Trust, Refresh, Capital One Guaranteed). 100% approval rate with the deposit. After 6-12 months you can upgrade to unsecured.