Compare credit cards designed for newcomers to Canada. Get approved without a Canadian credit history and start building your credit file from day one.
It comes with a welcome bonus of 120,000 pts. You earn 1.25x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,351.
Annual Fee
$799
Rewards rate
1.25x
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
120,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,351
It comes with a welcome bonus of 100,000 pts. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,283.
Annual Fee
$599
Rewards rate
1.25x
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
100,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,283
It comes with a welcome bonus of 90,000 pts. You earn 1.25x on groceries and 1.25x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,226.
Annual Fee
$599
Rewards rate
1.25x
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
90,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,226
It comes with a welcome bonus of 75,000 pts. You earn 1x on groceries and 1.5x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,215.
Annual Fee
$180
Rewards rate
1x
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
75,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,215
It comes with a welcome bonus of 100,000 pts. You earn 1x on groceries and 2x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,170.
Annual Fee
$799
Rewards rate
1x
American Express Membership Rewards
Welcome Bonus
100,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,170
It comes with a welcome bonus of 85,000 pts. You earn 1.5x on groceries and 1.5x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,161.
Annual Fee
$599
Rewards rate
1.25x
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
85,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,161
It comes with a welcome bonus of 85,000 pts. You earn 1.25x on groceries and 2x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $2,130.
Annual Fee
$599
Rewards rate
1.25x
Aeroplan
Welcome Bonus
85,000 pts
1st Year Value
$2,130
It comes with a welcome bonus of 70,000 pts. You earn 2x on groceries and 2x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,764.
Annual Fee
$199
Rewards rate
1x
Viporter
Welcome Bonus
70,000 pts
1st Year Value
$1,764
It comes with a welcome bonus of 200,000 pts. You earn 5x on groceries and 5x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,655.
Annual Fee
$599
Rewards rate
1x
Bmo Rewards
Welcome Bonus
200,000 pts
1st Year Value
$1,655
The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card offers the first year free (regular fee $139/yr). It comes with a welcome bonus of 165,000 pts. You earn 6x on groceries and 6x at restaurants. Estimated first-year value is $1,634.
Annual Fee
$139 $0
Rewards rate
2x
TD Rewards
Welcome Bonus
165,000 pts
1st Year Value
$1,634
Complete Guide
Compare credit cards designed for newcomers to Canada. Get approved without a Canadian credit history and start building your credit file from day one.
Arriving in Canada without a credit history? You're not stuck. Most major banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, National Bank) offer newcomer programs that approve you on the strength of your immigration status — Permanent Resident, work permit, study permit, or refugee — instead of a Canadian credit file.
Newcomer programs typically waive the credit-history requirement for the first 12 months. You may need to provide proof of arrival (PR card, work/study permit), proof of address, and ID. Once approved, you receive a regular credit card with a starter limit ($500–$5,000) that grows as you build credit.
Prioritize cards that: (1) report to both Equifax and TransUnion from day one, (2) waive the first-year annual fee, (3) include cell phone insurance and travel coverage useful for new arrivals, and (4) come from a bank where you can also open a chequing account to bundle services.
166
Cards analyzed
May 2026
Last updated
100%
Independent
Our team evaluates credit cards based on overall consumer value: rewards earning rates, annual fees, welcome bonuses, insurance coverage, and additional perks. Cards are ranked by estimated first-year value. We update our picks monthly.
FAQ
Yes. RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, and National Bank all offer newcomer programs that approve you based on your immigration status (PR, work permit, study permit) instead of credit history. You typically need to apply within 5 years of arrival.
Most banks require: proof of arrival (PR card, COPR, work or study permit), valid passport or driver's licence, proof of Canadian address, and proof of income or employment. Some let you apply online; others require an in-branch appointment.
If you qualify for a newcomer program (most PRs and work-permit holders do), choose that — it's a regular credit card with a real limit and no deposit. Secured cards are a fallback when newcomer programs reject you.
Compare the best credit cards in Canada or calculate which card's rewards actually fit your budget.
Cash Back
Travel
No Fee
Students
Groceries
Restaurants
No FX Fee
1st Yr Free
Balance Transfer
Lounges
Aeroplan
PC Optimum
Scene+
Amex Membership Rewards
CIBC Aventura
RBC Avion
BMO Rewards
TD Rewards
WestJet Rewards
Marriott Bonvoy
RBC
CIBC
Scotiabank
BMO
American Express
TD
MBNA
National Bank
Neo Financial
Capital One
Desjardins
Tangerine
Rogers Bank
Laurentian Bank
Visa
Mastercard
Amex (network)
Secured
