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Looking for an easy-to-get credit card in Canada? There are several options for people who want to get a first card, build their credit history, or access rewards without meeting high requirements.
However, an easy-to-get card doesn’t mean automatic approval. Financial institutions generally assess your credit file, your income, your financial situation, and your ability to repay your purchases.
Fortunately, some cards are more accessible than others. This is especially true of no annual fee cards, student cards, cards with no published minimum income, and secured cards.
In this guide, you’ll find out which credit cards are the easiest to get in Canada. You’ll also understand the eligibility criteria, what to check before applying, and strategies to increase your chances of approval.
An easy-to-get credit card is a card whose approval criteria are generally more accessible than those of premium cards. It’s often suitable for people who are starting their credit journey or who want to rebuild their file.
These cards may have fewer income-related requirements. Some don’t even list any specific minimum income in their public criteria.
However, the issuer still checks several factors before approving your application. These include, in particular:
So even a credit card with no minimum income requirement may still require an analysis of your profile.
An accessible card can also be a first step toward more rewarding products. By using your card responsibly, you can gradually improve your file and access higher credit limits.
Several types of cards may be accessible depending on your situation. The best choice depends in particular on your credit history, your income, and your goals.
Some people are looking for a no annual fee card. Others want to earn rewards, get cash back, or build their credit file.
Here are the main categories of cards to consider.
American Express cards are an interesting option for many Canadian consumers. Unlike some premium cards offered by banks, several cards issued directly by American Express Canada don’t indicate a required minimum income.
For example, the American Express® Gold Rewards Card and the American Express Platinum Card® don’t require a minimum income.
Here’s a more complete selection:
However, that doesn’t mean all applications are automatically approved. As with any credit card, American Express reviews your financial profile before making a decision.
Accessible American Express cards can offer different types of rewards, depending on the card you choose.
Some cards may also offer a welcome bonus after you reach an eligible spending amount in the days following account opening.
On the Scotiabank side, some American Express cards may have different requirements. For example, the Scotiabank Gold American ExpressMD CardMD* requires a minimum income of $12,000.
Before applying, always check the criteria specific to the issuer.
Mastercard and Visa cards are offered by many Canadian financial institutions. These include BMO, the National Bank of Canada, Capital One, Desjardins, MBNA, RBC, Scotia, and Tangerine.
To find an easy-to-get credit card, it’s often best to start with no annual fee cards or cards designed for students.
For example, the BMO CashBackMD* Mastercard for Students can be a good option for someone who wants to start building their credit history.
National Bank also offers several accessible cards with no specific minimum income and no annual fee, such as the National Bank mycredit Mastercard (cash back), the National Bank Allure Mastercard, and the National Bank MC1 Mastercard.
Here is a selection of Mastercard and Visa cards requiring no minimum income:
These cards generally offer a more moderate credit limit. However, they allow you to learn how to manage a credit card account while building good financial habits.
Depending on the card you choose, you may also get cash back and benefits tied to eligible purchases.
If you have little or no credit history, a secured card can be an interesting solution. This type of card is often easier to get than a traditional card.
How it works is simple: you generally provide a security deposit that serves as collateral with the issuer. This amount can then determine your available credit limit.
Unlike a prepaid card, a secured card works like a real credit card. Your payments and usage are generally reported to credit bureaus, which can help you build your history.
Secured cards may be a good fit for:
For example, the Capital One Guaranteed Approval MastercardMD is among the accessible options for many profiles.
This card doesn’t require a specific minimum income. Approval is based instead on certain basic criteria, such as the age of majority in your province, not having an existing Capital One account, and certain conditions related to your file.
This card doesn’t offer rewards. However, it can be a first step toward developing good habits and eventually accessing other credit products.
Even if some cards don’t list any minimum income, others become accessible with a relatively modest annual income.
A personal income of $15,000 or more can open the door to more cards offering boosted rewards, better insurance, or a higher credit limit.
These cards are often an intermediate step between basic cards and premium cards.
Among the options accessible with a lower income, you’ll find in particular:
Some cash back cards may also be accessible with lower income requirements.
For example:
These cards often offer more interesting rewards than a basic card. However, it remains important to compare the interest rate, annual fees, and benefits based on your profile.
Some credit cards offer more valuable benefits, a higher credit limit, or more comprehensive insurance. Financial institutions therefore use minimum income as a risk-assessment factor.
However, income isn’t the only factor analyzed. Your credit history, your ability to pay, and your financial habits also play an important role.
Income requirements can also come from the card networks themselves, such as Mastercard and Visa.
High-end cards, such as Mastercard World Elite cards or Visa Infinite, generally target consumers with a more established financial profile.
These cards often require:
These criteria allow institutions to offer premium benefits, such as:
As a result, these cards generally aren’t among the easiest options to get.
However, not being eligible for a premium card doesn’t mean you don’t have access to good options. Many accessible cards already let you earn rewards and build a strong credit history.
Even with an easy-to-get credit card, some best practices can improve your chances of approval.
Financial institutions always assess your profile before accepting an application. Here are the main factors to consider.
Before applying for a new card, it can be helpful to know your credit score and history.
A file with late payments, high balances, or errors can influence the issuer’s decision.
In addition, checking your file helps you quickly identify any incorrect information that could affect your ability to get credit.
Each full credit card application can trigger a credit check.
Even if the effect is usually temporary, multiple applications close together can make it look like you’re trying to get a lot of credit quickly.
It’s therefore better to compare cards before submitting an application.
Choose one card that fits your situation rather than several cards at the same time.
Your credit utilization is the proportion of your credit limit that you use.
For example, if your card has a $1,000 limit and your balance is $500, your utilization is 50%.
Generally, keeping your utilization rate below 30% can help demonstrate good credit management.
So even a card with a small limit can help you build a positive file when you use it properly.
Finally, the best way to get approved is to choose a card that truly matches your situation.
Someone with no credit history will often have more success with:
Conversely, someone who already has a strong file can aim for cards offering more rewards, such as travel points or cash back.
Before applying, compare the available options based on your goals.
The best easy-to-get credit card depends above all on your financial profile and your goals.
Someone who is just starting to use credit won’t necessarily have the same needs as a consumer who wants to maximize rewards or rebuild their file.
Here are a few common situations and the options to consider.
In all cases, the goal should be to choose a card you can manage easily.
A high credit limit or an attractive welcome bonus doesn’t make up for late payments or poor credit utilization.
For many consumers, a simple card used regularly is often the best starting point.
An easy-to-get credit card can be an excellent first step to access credit, build a financial history, or rebuild your file.
However, accessibility shouldn’t be the only criterion to consider. Before applying, take the time to compare annual fees, interest rate, rewards, and the benefits offered.
Some cards with no minimum income may be suitable for students, self-employed workers, or people with variable income. Other options, such as secured cards, may be better suited to people with no credit history.
Finally, good management remains essential. Paying your balance on time, keeping your credit utilization low, and avoiding multiple applications can help you build a strong file.
Before choosing a card, also use our credit card comparison tool to identify the offers that best match your profile.
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