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Best Newcomer Cards

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Compare The Best Cards for Newcomers

Comparing results based on your preferences.

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$
Annual Fee
$120 $0
1st yr Fee Waived
Purchase 20.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
ATB Financial ATB Financial
Best For [ Travel Rewards ] [ Premium ] [ Newcomer ]
ATB World Elite Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $569
1st Yr Free
ATB My Rewards
Welcome Bonus: 40,000 points ($200 value) + First-year fee waived
Highlights: Airport Lounge Access First-Year Fee Waived Mobile Device Insurance Purchase Security Insurance +1 more
View Offer
ELIGIBILITY
Personal Inc: $80,000
Household Inc: $150,000
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $120
Foreign Tx Fee 2.90%
Personal Income $80,000
Household Income $150,000
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $35.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
Simplii Financial Simplii Financial
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Newcomer ]
Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
Est. 1st Yr Value: $447
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus: Up to $100 Cash Back + $50 PRESTO Voucher
Highlights: No Annual Fee Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance
View Offer
ELIGIBILITY
Household Inc: $15,000
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income $15,000
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 21.74%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
MBNA Canada MBNA Canada
Best For [ No Annual Fee ] [ Newcomer ]
Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $411
Welcome Bonus: 5% back for 6 months (up to $3,000 spend)
Highlights: No Annual Fee Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance Higher Earning on Business Categories
Purchase APR 21.74%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Balance Transfer 22.99
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 20.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
ATB Financial ATB Financial
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Newcomer ]
ATB Gold Cash My Rewards Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $348
Cash Back
Welcome Bonus: 5% cash back for the first 3 months
Highlights: No Annual Fee Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance +1 more
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.90%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 19.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
ATB Financial ATB Financial
Best For [ No Annual Fee ] [ Newcomer ] [ Rewards ]
ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $246
ATB My Rewards
Welcome Bonus: 10,000 points ($50 value)
Highlights: No Annual Fee Mobile Device Insurance Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Extended Warranty Insurance +2 more
Purchase APR 19.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.90%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $0.00
Annual Fee $9
Purchase 0.00%
Cash Adv. 0.00%
BMO Bank of Montreal BMO Bank of Montreal
Best For [ Student ] [ Secured Cards ] [ Newcomer ]
BMO Prepaid Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $170
Welcome Bonus: Enjoy a reloadable and secure card for your day-to-day transactions.
Highlights: Bad Credit & Rebuilding Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Security Insurance
Purchase APR 0.00%
Cash Advance APR 0.00%
Annual Fee $9
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 0.00%
Cash Adv. 0.00%
KOHO Financial Inc KOHO Financial Inc
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Secured Cards ]
KOHO Essential Prepaid Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $99
Cash Back
Highlights: No Annual Fee
Purchase APR 0.00%
Cash Advance APR 0.00%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Annual Fee $177
Purchase 0.00%
Cash Adv. 0.00%
KOHO Financial Inc KOHO Financial Inc
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ Secured Cards ] [ Premium ]
KOHO Everything Prepaid Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $75
Metal
Cash Back
Highlights: No Foreign Transaction Fees Bad Credit & Rebuilding
Purchase APR 0.00%
Cash Advance APR 0.00%
Annual Fee $177
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Annual Fee $0
Purchase 19.99%
Cash Adv. 22.99%
Neo Financial Neo Financial
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ No Annual Fee ] [ Student ]
Neo Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $72
Cash Back
Highlights: No Annual Fee Bad Credit & Rebuilding Employee Cards
Purchase APR 19.99%
Cash Advance APR 22.99%
Annual Fee $0
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Add. Card Fee $10.00
Annual Fee $144
Purchase 0.00%
Cash Adv. 0.00%
KOHO Financial Inc KOHO Financial Inc
Best For [ Cash Back ] [ Secured Cards ] [ Newcomer ]
KOHO Extra Prepaid Mastercard
Est. 1st Yr Value: $5
Cash Back
Highlights: No Foreign Transaction Fees
Purchase APR 0.00%
Cash Advance APR 0.00%
Annual Fee $144
Foreign Tx Fee 2.5%
Personal Income N/A
Household Income N/A
Credit Score Good/Excellent
Showing 10 of 12 cards

Discover more Newcomer / New to Canada Cards

Explore other highly-rated options you might have missed.

Home Trust Secured Visa
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: 19.99%
1st Yr Value $0
View Offer
ATB Load & Go® Prepaid Mastercard®
Annual Fee: $0 Purchase Int: N/A
1st Yr Value $0
View Offer
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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.

Credit card networks (Visa/Mastercard) set their own daily exchange rates, which are generally very close to the market rate. However, unless you have a No-FX fee card, the issuer adds a surcharge (usually 2.5%) on top of this rate, which is why the total cost is higher than the spot market rate.

It can be, depending on your usage. Premium cards with annual fees often come with higher reward earn rates, comprehensive insurance, and perks like lounge access. If the value of the rewards and benefits you utilize exceeds the cost of the fee, the card may offer a positive net value.

Most Canadian credit cards charge a fee (typically 2.5%) on top of the exchange rate for any transaction made in a currency other than Canadian dollars. Cards marketed as 'No Foreign Transaction Fee' generally waive this 2.5% surcharge, though the exchange rate itself is still determined by the card network (Visa/Mastercard/Amex).

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.

A hard inquiry (from a credit application) typically remains on your credit report for up to 36 months, though its impact on your credit score generally diminishes significantly after the first 12 months.