Annual fee
$0 first year
Then $120 annually
Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada
A clear starting point for building credit in Canada
Moving to Canada comes with many financial decisions, and choosing a first credit card can feel confusing. RateBuddy helps compare newcomer-friendly cards by eligibility, fees, credit-building usefulness, rewards, and everyday practicality.
Smart Card Filter
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Compare The Best Cards for Newcomers
Use the filters to shape the card results below. Adjust your monthly spend, narrow by provider, or highlight no-fee and welcome-bonus options — RateBuddy will quietly refresh the list so the results stay connected to your choices.
Ready to refine
Annual fee
$120$0
First year waived
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
ATB Financial
Best for
Travel Rewards
Premium
Newcomer
Best for
Travel Rewards
Premium
Newcomer
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$320
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$369
First-year annual fee
$120 first-year fee waiver applied
$120
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$689
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 3% | $162 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 4% | $36 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 3% | $27 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
ATB My Rewards
First year free
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Purchase APR
20.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
2.90%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$35
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
$80,000
Minimum household income
$150,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
No credit score required. Instant approval and access to virtual card to start using immediately
Annual fee
$89
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for
Travel Rewards
Secured Cards
Newcomer
Best for
Travel Rewards
Secured Cards
Newcomer
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$375
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$162
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$89
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$448
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1% | $54 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 0.75% | $13.50 |
| Travel | $75 | 1.25% | $11.25 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 0.75% | $6.75 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0.75% | $40.50 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$89
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
19.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
Poor
Minimum personal income
$80,000
Minimum household income
$150,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.74%
Cash advance
22.99%
MBNA Canada
Best for
No Annual Fee
Newcomer
Best for
No Annual Fee
Newcomer
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$150
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$261
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$411
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 2.5% | $135 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1% | $18 |
| Travel | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
21.74%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
RateBuddy Choice for Newcomers and Young Adults
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Simplii Financial
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Student
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Student
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$100
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$297
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$397
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1.5% | $81 |
| Dining | $300 | 4% | $144 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1.5% | $27 |
| Travel | $75 | 0.5% | $4.50 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1.5% | $13.50 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0.5% | $27 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
21.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
—
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
$15,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
20.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
ATB Financial
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Newcomer
Best for
Cash Back
No Annual Fee
Newcomer
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$100
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$247.50
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$347.50
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 2% | $108 |
| Dining | $300 | 2% | $72 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1% | $18 |
| Travel | $75 | 0.5% | $4.50 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0.5% | $27 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
20.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
2.90%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
featured
No credit score requirement. Instant approval and access to virtual card to start using immediately
Annual fee
$149
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Secured Cards
Best for
Cash Back
Travel Rewards
Secured Cards
Welcome-offer value
No current monetary welcome-offer estimate was included
$0
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$459
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$149
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$310
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 5% | $270 |
| Dining | $300 | 1% | $36 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 3% | $54 |
| Travel | $75 | 1% | $9 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 4% | $36 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 1% | $54 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$149
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
19.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$49
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
Poor
Minimum personal income
$80,000
Minimum household income
$150,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
ATB Financial
Best for
No Annual Fee
Newcomer
Rewards
Best for
No Annual Fee
Newcomer
Rewards
Welcome-offer value
Advertised value estimate, subject to eligibility and provider requirements
$50
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$195.75
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$245.75
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1.5% | $81 |
| Dining | $300 | 0.75% | $27 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1.5% | $27 |
| Travel | $75 | 0.75% | $6.75 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 1.5% | $13.50 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0.75% | $40.50 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
ATB My Rewards
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
19.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
2.90%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$0
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
—
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
featured
Our Choice: Best Prepaid Card
Annual fee
$177
Purchase APR
0%
KOHO
Best for
Cash Back
Low Interest
Secured Cards
Best for
Cash Back
Low Interest
Secured Cards
Welcome-offer value
No current monetary welcome-offer estimate was included
$0
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$360
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$177
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$183
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 2% | $108 |
| Dining | $300 | 2% | $72 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 2% | $36 |
| Travel | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 2% | $108 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$177
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
0%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
—
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
Poor
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
featured
No credit score needed to apply. Guaranteed, instant approval*
Annual fee
$96
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for
Cash Back
Student
Secured Cards
Best for
Cash Back
Student
Secured Cards
Welcome-offer value
No current monetary welcome-offer estimate was included
$0
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$211.50
First-year annual fee
Fee charged during the first year
$96
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$115.50
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 2% | $108 |
| Dining | $300 | 0.5% | $18 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 2% | $36 |
| Travel | $75 | 0.5% | $4.50 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 2% | $18 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0.5% | $27 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Rewards program
Cash Back
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$96
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
19.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
—
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
Poor
Minimum personal income
$50,000
Minimum household income
$80,000
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
featured
Guaranteed, instant approvals*. Access to virtual credit card immediately
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
19.99%
Cash advance
22.99%
Neo Financial
Best for
Cash Back
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Best for
Cash Back
Low Interest
No Annual Fee
Welcome-offer value
No current monetary welcome-offer estimate was included
$0
Estimated rewards from spending
Based on $1,500 in monthly spending
$72
First-year annual fee
No annual fee
$0
Estimated first-year card value
Welcome value + spending rewards − first-year fee
$72
View spending and reward-rate details
| Spending category | Monthly spend | Rate | Annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $450 | 1% | $54 |
| Dining | $300 | 0% | $0 |
| Gas and transit | $150 | 1% | $18 |
| Travel | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Recurring bills | $75 | 0% | $0 |
| Other purchases | $450 | 0% | $0 |
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed cash return. Actual value depends on spending, eligibility, redemption choices and meeting the provider’s offer terms. Reward rates are treated as estimated cash-equivalent percentages.
Card essentials
Rates, fees and requirements
The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.
Annual fee
$0
Primary cardholder
Purchase APR
19.99%
Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR
22.99%
Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR
—
When available
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee
$10
Supplementary cardholder
Before you apply
Eligibility snapshot
Recommended credit score
Fair
Minimum personal income
—
Minimum household income
—
Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.
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Home Trust
BMO Bank of Montreal
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We highlight the "gotchas" and fees just as clearly as the perks.
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Credit Cards is great, but sometimes a different card fits your lifestyle better. Use our Smart Finder to see what else you qualify for.
Cash Back
Earn money on daily spend.
Travel Rewards
Best for frequent flyers.
SPEC SHEET
Find best cards by features:
Filter our database by the specific perks and coverages that matter to you.
ISSUERS
Browse by Bank & Issuer:
Filter our database to see offers from specific Canadian financial institutions.
PAYMENT NETWORKS
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Filter by Visa, Mastercard, or Amex acceptance.
CARD LEVELS
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From entry-level options to exclusive black cards. Find the eligibility level that fits you.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Compare The Best Cards for Newcomers Cards and financial strategy.
Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Terms subject to change by issuers.
Yes, many major banks offer specific programs for newcomers that do not require a Canadian credit history. You may need to visit a branch in person and provide immigration documents (such as a Permanent Resident card or Work Permit) to be approved.
It might. Cancelling an older card reduces your 'Average Age of Accounts,' which is a factor in your credit score. It also reduces your total available credit, which could increase your utilization ratio. If the card has no annual fee, it is often better to keep it open and use it occasionally to keep the history active.
An authorized user is someone you add to your account (like a spouse or child) who gets their own card. The primary cardholder is fully responsible for all debt incurred by the authorized user. It can be a way to help someone build credit habits, but legal liability remains with the primary account holder.
Contactless payments use encryption technology similar to Chip & PIN transactions. Limits are typically placed on the amount allowed per tap (e.g., $100-$250) to minimize risk. If a thief exceeds this limit, a PIN is required. You are also protected by the issuer's Zero Liability policy for fraudulent tap transactions.
Providing your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is usually optional for credit card applications, though it can help the issuer verify your identity and locate your credit file more accurately. You can generally apply without it, provided you supply other identification details.
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Visit our Financial Education Hub
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