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Adding your teenager as an additional cardholder can be very practical. He or she can use it to make certain expenses in an emergency, simply to buy a missing pint of milk at the grocery store, or when away from home and parents on a school trip.
In short: in Canada, you must reach the age of majority (18 or 19, depending on the province) to get a credit card in your own name. A teenager can still get an additional card on a parent’s account: from age 12 at Desjardins, 13 at American Express and BMO, 16 at National Bank and Tangerine, and with no minimum age at TD, CIBC, Scotiabank and MBNA. Once of age, see the best student credit cards.
However, the rules vary from bank to bank as to the minimum age required. I recommend that you read the article on How adding an additional credit card works. You’ll see that:
- Parents need to keep an eye on their children’s spending, since they’re the ones who pay the balance;
- An additional card is unnecessary if you want to build your child’s credit history or improve their credit score.
A student or young adult can only take out a credit card in their own name when they reach the age of majority in their province of residence. See our article on the best first card for young adults and students.
Would you rather give your teen a card with no credit, one they can only use with the money you put on it? The Wealthsimple kids and teens account comes with a prepaid Visa card, with spending limits and blocked categories you set from your own app. According to Wealthsimple, it is not available in Quebec yet as of October 2026.
Annual Fee
There may be an annual fee for an additional credit card application. For example, the annual fee is:
- $50 for the National Bank World Elite Mastercard;
- $0 for a Tangerine® Money-Back World Mastercard®*;
- $0 for a first additional card, then $50 from the second and subsequent cards for the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
- $75 for a TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card or $0 when fees are fully refunded in the first year as part of certain welcome offers.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $150 |
How to Apply for an Additional Credit Card
This varies from one financial institution to another.
For example, an application for an additional credit card can be made directly online in your Tangerine and American Express accounts. Desjardins, on the other hand, requires you to bring your child to the branch with you, so bring your child’s ID with you. National Bank, on the other hand, allows you to do this over the phone.
Additional Card Request
When applying for a card, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Additional cardholder’s date of birth
Minimum Age for Obtaining an Additional Credit Card
Banks allow you to add an additional minor holder, and here is a list of requirements:
American Express
13 years old and over
Scotiabank
No minimum age
National Bank
16 years old and over
BMO Bank of Montreal
13 years old and over
CIBC
No minimum age
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 |
Desjardins
12 years old and over
MBNA
No minimum age
PC Financial
14 years old and over
RBC Royal Bank
14 years old and over
Rogers
16 years old and over
Tangerine
16 years old and over
TD
No minimum age
Practical Advice on Your Child’s Credit Card
Free Baggage Tip
If you give them an additional Aeroplan card that offers a free baggage allowance (like the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card or the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card), your child will be able to take advantage of this privilege. You’ll need to ensure that their personal Aeroplan number is linked to their Aeroplan credit card account.
Access to an Airport Lounge
Please note that if your main credit card gives access to an airport lounge , the additional card may also grant lounge access. Please consult the information on this card, as this may vary from one financial institution to another.
Additionally, if your child is a minor and has an additional card that grants access to airport lounges, they will not be able to enter alone because alcohol is served in those lounges.
Credit Limit for Your Dear Student
CIBC allows you to set a credit limit on your child’s additional credit card.
You could have your own credit limit of $10,000 as the primary cardholder, but you could set another limit specifically for your child, such as $250. This can be a good idea to avoid over-spending when using the additional card.
I advise you to check this with your financial institution because, usually, the primary cardholder’s limit is the only valid one.
Reward Programs
Every purchase your child makes earns points in your account. It can be a great way to earn points faster in your rewards programs or to unlock a bonus!
Also, check with your financial institution for promotions. Sometimes it’s possible to get discounts, cash back or extra points when you add someone to your account.
For example, American Express sometimes offers additional points when an additional cardholder is added.
For Practicality
When used properly, the extra card gives the youngster a sense of responsibility and offers peace of mind for mom and dad.
An additional card can also be used for small errands or to pay for certain purchases when the young person is alone, for example, at a grandparent’s house, rather than the grandparent advancing the money. It’s a practical way to give them a little autonomy while keeping an eye on their spending.
Then, when he has his first credit card all to himself, he’ll know how it works.
Adding your child as an additional cardholder is an option with many advantages. All you need to do is take the time to explain the rules to your child! For more tips, see our guide to introducing your children to personal finance.
Minimum Age for a Credit Card - Frequently Asked Questions
How to get a credit card at 12 years old? Or at 14 years old?
To own a credit card, you must be of legal age in your province of residence. However, a child can be an additional cardholder on a parent’s credit card. The minimum age depends on the financial institution, and you can see the conditions in the article above.
How old do you have to be to get a credit card in Quebec or in Canada?
You must be of legal age in your province of residence.
For example, the age of majority is 18 in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba, and 19 in New Brunswick and British Columbia.
Can I get a credit card before I’m 18?
Not as a primary cardholder. But a person aged 17 and under can be associated with a parent’s credit card account, thanks to an additional card.
At what age can a child get a Desjardins credit card?
Desjardins accepts an additional cardholder from age 12, on a parent’s credit card account. The request must be made in person at a caisse: the parent goes with the child and the child’s ID. For a card in their own name, the child has to wait until the age of majority, which is 18 in Quebec.
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
To Go Further with American Express Membership Rewards Points
To maximize your Membership Rewards points accumulation, consult our complete guide to the American Express Membership Rewards program as well as our ranking of the best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards, updated monthly by the Milesopedia team.
