Credit Cards for Newcomers With No Credit History

Key takeaways

RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO and CIBC all offer cards to newcomers with no Canadian credit history
Limits of up to $15,000 at RBC, TD, Scotiabank and CIBC, based on income
Most no-fee cards charge about 20.99% to 21.99% interest on purchases
Existing American Express card holders abroad can transfer to an Amex Canada card
If you are refused, a secured card from a $50 deposit is the fallback

Newcomer credit cards compared

Fees, rates and offers as of October 5, 2026, from each bank’s own pages. Purchase and cash advance rates are yearly interest rates (APR) for cardholders outside Quebec unless noted.

Card	Annual fee	Purchase / cash advance rate	Welcome offer	Newcomer limit
RBC Cash Back Mastercard	$0	21.99% / 22.99%	Up to 12% bonus cash back for 3 months (newcomer offer; apply by Oct 31, 2026)	Up to $15,000
TD Cash Back Visa	$0	21.99% / 22.99%	Up to $150 in Cash Back Dollars (newcomer package)	Based on approval
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum	$89 (waived year 1 in newcomer package)	21.99% / 22.99%	Up to 20,000 Aeroplan points	Up to $15,000
Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa	$0	20.99% / 22.99%	5% cash back for 3 months on up to $2,000 (check that the offer is still live)	Up to $15,000 (StartRight)
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa	$0	21.99% / 22.99%	Up to 5,000 Scene+ points in 3 months	Up to $15,000 (StartRight)
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite	$150 (first-year rebate with Preferred Package)	20.99% / 22.99%	Up to 35,000 Scene+ points with $2,000 spend in 3 months	Up to $15,000 (StartRight)
BMO CashBack Mastercard	$0	Not shown on page; check the application	Up to 5% cash back for 3 months (max $125; apply by Oct 31, 2026)	Not stated
CIBC Dividend Visa	$0	21.99% purchases	None highlighted	Not stated
CIBC Dividend Platinum Visa	$99 (rebated for 2 years for newcomers)	21.99% purchases	3% cash back on gas, EV charging and groceries	Up to $15,000; $15,000 household income
CIBC Aventura Gold Visa	$139 (rebated for 2 years for newcomers)	21.99% purchases	Annual fee rebate for 2 years	Not stated

Welcome offers change often and many end in October or November 2026. Check the end date in our offers tracker.

How can you get a credit card with no credit history?

Banks have special newcomer programs. Instead of a credit report, they look at:

Your status document: PR card or COPR, work permit or study permit
Your passport and a Canadian address
Your income. Foreign workers may need a letter from their Canadian employer confirming their annual income (Scotiabank asks for this)
Often, a chequing account at the same bank

The newcomer limit of “up to $15,000” is a maximum. Most people get a limit that matches their income. Students without a job usually start lower.

If you already have an American Express card from another country, you may not need any of this. Amex Canada’s Global Card Transfer lets the basic cardholder of a foreign consumer Amex card, held for at least 3 months, apply in Canada without a Canadian credit report. You can get one card this way.

Which card should you pick first?

Lowest cost: a $0 annual fee card such as RBC Cash Back, TD Cash Back, Scotia Momentum No-Fee, BMO CashBack or CIBC Dividend. Pick the one from the bank where you have your chequing account.
You travel or shop in other currencies: the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite has no foreign transaction fees, which saves the usual 2.5% charge on foreign purchases. The $150 fee only makes sense if you use it often.
You fly Air Canada: TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum, with the first-year fee waived in TD’s newcomer package.
Refused by the banks: apply for a secured card. See secured credit cards.

Your first card is your oldest account for years to come, which helps your score. A no-fee card is easy to keep open forever.

How to use your first card to build credit

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) says payment history is the most important part of your credit score. It also recommends using less than 30% of your limit.

Pay the full statement balance by the due date every month. Set up automatic payment from your chequing account.
Keep your balance under 30% of your limit. On a $2,000 limit, that is $600.
Use the card for a few small regular bills, such as your phone plan.
Do not apply for several cards at once. Each application can show on your report.
Never take a cash advance. Interest starts the same day, at about 22% to 23%.

Plan your spending with the credit score builder or the credit utilization calculator. For the full picture, read building credit from zero.

Credit cards for international students

International students can get a first card too, usually with a lower limit because student income is lower. TD and Scotiabank include international students in their newcomer programs, and RBC accepts students who arrived in the last 12 months. Scotiabank also has a student version of the Momentum No-Fee Visa. Bring your study permit, passport and proof of enrolment.

Choose a card with no annual fee. A limit of $500 to $1,000 is enough to build credit if you use a small part of it and pay in full. If you are refused, a secured card works the same way for your credit file.

Fees to watch on any card

Annual fee: some cards waive it only in year one. Put the renewal date in your calendar.
Foreign transaction fee: most cards add a fee when you pay in another currency, including online shops that charge in US dollars.
Cash advance: interest starts right away and there is often a fee too.
Balance transfer: a low intro rate usually comes with a fee of a few percent.
Late payment: missing a payment can cost you a promotional rate and hurts your credit history.

What does it cost if you carry a balance?

At 20.99%, a $1,000 balance costs about $17 to $18 in interest each month. If you pay only the minimum, it can take years to clear. Credit card interest is much higher than most other loans, so pay in full whenever you can. If you already have a balance, see how long it takes to pay off with the credit card payoff calculator.

How we handle offers. Offers on this page come from each bank’s own website and were last checked on October 5, 2026. Banks change offers often, so confirm the details on the bank’s site before you apply. No bank pays to be included or ranked here. If a link on this page ever earns us a commission, we will label it next to the link.

Common questions

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

Yes. RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO and CIBC all offer cards to newcomers with no Canadian credit history. They use your status document and income instead of a credit report.

What credit limit will I get as a newcomer?

Several banks advertise up to $15,000, but that is a maximum. Your limit depends on your income and documents. Many newcomers start with $1,000 to a few thousand dollars.

Does my credit history from my home country count?

Usually not. Canadian lenders use Equifax and TransUnion reports. One exception: if you have an American Express card abroad, Amex Canada can approve you without a Canadian report through its Global Card Transfer program.

Can international students get a credit card?

Yes, usually with a lower limit. Scotiabank and TD include students in their newcomer programs, and Scotiabank has a student version of the Momentum No-Fee Visa.

What if the bank refuses my application?

Wait before applying again, and get a secured card instead. You put down a deposit (from $50 at Neo) and that becomes your limit. It builds credit the same way.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Best credit cards for newcomers with no credit history