Credit cards for newcomers to Canada: what you can get with no Canadian credit history
Quick summary
You can get a credit card in Canada without a Canadian credit history. RBC and Scotiabank both say so on their own pages, and both list limits up to $15,000. Each has rules on how long you have been in Canada. If you do not qualify yet, a secured card is the other route. See the secured card comparison.
Checked November 3, 2026. Main source: RBC: Credit cards for newcomers (no date shown). See all 3 sources.
Newcomer credit cards at RBC and Scotiabank
Fees and rates are copied from each bank's own page. Both banks say approval depends on their credit review, and rates can change.
| Bank and card | Annual fee | Purchase rate | Cash advance rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | 21.99% | 22.99% (21.99% in Quebec) | RBC page |
| RBC ION+ Visa | $48, and $0 for the first year with the offer | 20.99% | 22.99% (21.99% in Quebec) | RBC page |
| RBC Avion Visa Platinum | $120 | 20.99% | 22.99% (21.99% in Quebec) | RBC page |
| Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa | $0 | 20.99% | 22.99% | Scotiabank page |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa | $0 | 21.99% | 22.99% | Scotiabank page |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa for students | $0 | 21.99% | 22.99% | Scotiabank page |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite+ | $150 | 20.99% | 22.99% | Scotiabank page |
Sources: RBC: Credit cards for newcomers (no date shown); Scotiabank StartRight: Credit cards (no date shown). Read November 3, 2026. RBC lists offer deadlines of November 25, 2026 for the Avion Visa Platinum, May 3, 2027 for the ION+ Visa and October 31, 2027 for the Cash Back Mastercard. Scotiabank lists no end dates.
Who qualifies
- RBC: permanent residents and international students who arrived in the last 12 months, and temporary workers who arrived in the last 48 months, can apply with no Canadian credit history.
- Scotiabank: its StartRight program is for permanent residents with 0 to 5 years in Canada, international students and foreign workers. The page says a Canadian credit history is not required.
- Both banks say you must be a Canadian resident and old enough in your province or territory to sign a contract.
- Approval and your limit depend on the bank's credit review. Scotiabank says income and credit history, if available, are part of it.
Sources: RBC: Credit cards for newcomers (no date shown); Scotiabank StartRight: Credit cards (no date shown).
How big a limit can you get?
Both banks list limits up to $15,000. RBC ties the Cash Back Mastercard limit to your income and other factors. Scotiabank says the amount can change without notice. RBC also lists a limit of up to $2,000 for international students with no credit history.
Most people start with a lower limit. Your limit is not a promise, and it is set after the bank reviews your application.
Sources: RBC: Credit cards for newcomers (no date shown); Scotiabank StartRight: Credit cards (no date shown).
Can your credit history from another country help?
Scotiabank's page says a partnership with Nova Credit can offer a higher limit to applicants who have a credit history from select countries, subject to approval. The page does not list the countries on the part we read. Ask the bank which countries count.
Source: Scotiabank StartRight: Credit cards (no date shown).
If you do not qualify yet
- A secured card uses a deposit you hand over to set your limit. Home Trust says that with a security deposit almost everyone who applies is approved. See the fees and deposits side by side.
- A credit-building tool, like KOHO Credit Building, reports your payments for a monthly fee. It is not a credit card.
- Open a bank account first. Both banks above link their newcomer cards to their newcomer banking programs.
Use the card to build credit
- Pay the full balance on time every month. A payment that is late can hurt your score.
- Keep your balance low compared with your limit.
- Do not apply for many cards at once. Each application can be recorded on your credit report.
- Check your free credit report after a few months to see the card appear.
When this page is updated
We check card fees and rates on the 1st of every month. The last check was November 3, 2026.
Questions people ask
Can I get a credit card in Canada with no credit history?
Yes. RBC says newcomers can get a card with no Canadian credit history. Scotiabank says a Canadian credit history is not required under its StartRight program. Both have rules about how long you have been in Canada.
How long do I have to be in Canada to use these programs?
RBC lists 12 months for permanent residents and international students and 48 months for temporary workers. Scotiabank lists permanent residents with 0 to 5 years in Canada, international students and foreign workers.
Which newcomer card has no annual fee?
On the pages we read, the RBC Cash Back Mastercard, the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa and the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa all list a $0 annual fee. The RBC ION+ Visa is $0 for the first year with the offer.
What is the limit on a newcomer credit card?
Both banks list up to $15,000, depending on income and the bank's review. RBC lists up to $2,000 for international students with no credit history.
Do I need a job or income?
The RBC page does not state an income requirement for these cards. Scotiabank says approval depends on verifiable income and credit history, if available.
What if I am turned down?
A secured card is the usual next step. You give a deposit, and that sets your limit. See the secured card comparison for fees and deposits.
Does a newcomer card build Canadian credit?
Paying a credit card on time is how most people build a Canadian history, but only if the card reports to the credit bureaus. Ask the bank whether the card reports to both Equifax and TransUnion.