Arriving in Canada means starting your credit history from zero, and most rewards cards expect a credit file you do not have yet. The good news: several cards are built for exactly this situation. Some banks approve newcomers without any Canadian credit history, and secured cards let a deposit stand in for a track record while you build one. Below are the best options, what they earn, and how to qualify.
In this article, we share our top picks for credit cards for newcomers to Canada to help you make informed choices so you can build your life in Canada on a strong financial foundation.
What you need to apply as a newcomer
Before you apply, having these in hand makes approval faster and avoids a wasted hard credit check:
A Social Insurance Number (SIN), or proof you have applied for one
Proof of your status in Canada: study permit, work permit, or permanent resident card
Proof of a Canadian address (a lease, a utility bill, or a bank statement)
A Canadian chequing or savings account, which most issuers expect for newcomer and secured cards
You usually do not need a Canadian credit history for a newcomer-specific card or a secured card. That is the whole point of these products: they are the on-ramp to a regular unsecured card once you have a few months of on-time payments reported to the credit bureaus.
Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada
Our picks for the best credit cards for newcomers to Canada are:
Each of these cards are well suited to individuals who are new to Canada, whether you’re an international student or on your way to being a permanent resident. The cards each let you earn helpful rewards points or cash back, and they all come with variety of perks and benefits that can make settling in easier, more comfortable, and more affordable.
Let’s take a look at each card’s details to understand why we’ve added it to our list and how it can fit into your financial plan.
Important things to consider
As a newcomer to Canada, there are a few important things to consider when you’re choosing the best credit card for your needs and situation.
Regardless of whether you’re applying for a card as a permanent resident, international student, or temporary foreign worker, you want to be aware of the following application requirements/information:
annual fee
minimum income requirement
credit score and/or credit history requirements
type of rewards points that you earn (e.g., cash back, flexible points, travel points, airline points, hotel points)
Our 5 credit card recommendations in this article give you a range of options, focusing on cards that offer flexible earning and redemption and accessible approval opportunities for those who may not yet have a credit history in Canada.
Best credit cards for newcomers to Canada – National Bank mycredit Mastercard
This card is a great straightforward choice as it has no annual fee and no minimum income requirement. To apply, you just need to be the age of majority in your province and a legal resident of Canada.
The National Bank mycredit Mastercardearns 1% cash back on restaurant purchases and eligible recurring pre-authorized payments, like bill payments. You also earn 0.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Your accumulated cash back is automatically redeemed to your credit card statement each month, keeping everything nice and simple.
In terms of perks, the card comes with mobile device insurance which can protect against theft and damage for up to 2 years when you purchase an eligible mobile device with your card. Plus, you can enjoy extended warranty and purchase protection to help protect other purchases made on your card.
National Bank, the issuer of this card, also has a program set up to help newcomers get set up financially in Canada, with bank accounts, credit cards, and more. You can learn more about the program on their website, and find out how it can help you start your credit card journey even if you don’t have any Canadian credit history.
Earn $100 cashback if at least $2,500 in net purchases are charged to the Mastercard account over a 4-month period, following the account opening
Up to 1% cashback
Mobile protection: Get insured against theft or damage for up to 2 years following the purchase of your mobile device
Extended warranty
Purchase protection from loss, theft or damage for up to 90 days after the date of purchase
Legal
Cash back details
Card issued subject to National Bank credit approval. A 1% cash back is granted on restaurant purchases and recurring pre-authorized payments when settled by recurring automatic payments to your macrédit account. The 0.5% cash back applies to all other eligible purchases during a billing cycle. The account must be in good standing when the cash back is disbursed. Your account is in good standing when you meet the obligations of your credit card agreement (e.g., making the minimum payment by the due date). Eligible pre-authorized payments are defined as payments made regularly and automatically debited by a merchant from your credit card. Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees related to card usage are not included in the cash back calculation. To learn about the terms and restrictions applicable to cash back, consult the Cash Back Program [PDF].
Mobile device protection
Subject to purchase of device with card or telephony service subscription paid by recurring pre-authorized payments from your macro-credit account.
Credit terms
Grace period: No interest will be charged on purchases made during the month, provided the client pays the balance in full within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances or balance transfers.
Minimum payment: If your account balance is lower than $10, you must pay the entire balance.
If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is the greater of 5% of your account balance, plus any overdue amounts, or $10.
If you live outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of your credit card balance, plus any past-due amount or $10, whichever is greater.
Account statement: A statement is sent monthly.
Example of credit charges over a 30-day period
Annual interest rate
Average balance
$500
$3,000
22.49% (regular card)
$9.24
$55.45
20.99% (regular card)
$8.63
$51.76
13.2% (Syncro card)
$5.53
$33.16
9.2% (Syncro card)
$3.78
$22.68
*Variable interest rate in effect on September 1, 2021.
Balance transfer and cash advance are subject to credit approval by National Bank. Each balance transfer must be at least $250.
®MASTERCARD is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. National Bank is an authorized user.
®NATIONAL BANK and the NATIONAL BANK logo are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.
TM mycredit is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.
Legal notes
™ MYCREDIT is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.
® MASTERCARD AND TAP & GO are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Authorized user: National Bank.
™ ID Check and Identity Check are trademarks of Mastercard International Inc. Authorized user: National Bank.
These protections apply if the purchases or expenses are charged to the National Bank mycredit Mastercard credit card. Extended warranties apply to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, as long as the manufacturer’s warranty is in effect and valid in Canada. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. For more information and details concerning your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate attached to your card.
Subject to credit approval by National Bank. Each balance transfer must be at least $250.
Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. Refer to the credit card terms and conditions.
With NBC mycredit Mastercard, you get:
1% cash back on restaurant purchases and recurring pre-authorized debits
0.5% cash back on all other purchases
And since it’s a Mastercard credit card, you can use it at Costco.
Cash back is automatically applied to your credit card account balance when each monthly statement is issued.
This is a credit card we recommend for those new to credit cards and want a no-fee credit card. What’s more, this credit card comes with a number of insurances for your purchases, including mobile device insurance (which is rare for a credit card with no annual fee).
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
1xRestaurants
1xBills & recurring payments
1xTelecom
0.5xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$216
2nd Year Value$148
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Best credit cards for newcomers to Canada – RBC ION Visa Card
The second card on our list of best credit cards for newcomers to Canada is the RBC ION Visa Card.
Similarly to the National Bank option mentioned above, this card also has no annual fee and no minimum income requirement.
The RBC ION Visa Card earns flexible Avion Rewards points, and often comes with a welcome bonus to help get you started.
With this card, you earn 1.5 Avion points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, rideshare, streaming services, and more. You also earn 1 Avion point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Additionally, the RBC ION Visa Card comes with a handful of benefits, such as purchase protection and extended warranty, and perks, like savings at Petro-Canada, earning bonus Rexall Be Well points, and a 3-month complimentary DoorDash subscription.
$210ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$210Total$210Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$210Total$210Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
With the RBC ION Visa card, earn up to 14,000 Avion points^, a value of up to $100 in gift cards†.
This RBC credit card with no annual fee lets you earn 1.5X Avion points per dollar in the following categories1:
Groceries
Transit, gas, and electric vehicle charging
Streaming, digital games, and subscriptions
You also earn 1 Avion point per dollar on all other eligible purchases1.
Plus, save 3¢ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion points when you pay with an eligible linked RBC card4.
Legal
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions
^ This offer is only available for new RBC ION Visa credit card applications received between June 16 and November 4, 2026 (“Offer Period”) and approved by Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”), subject to the conditions below. Co-applicants (co-applicant and authorized user[s]) on an RBC ION Visa credit card account, as well as existing RBC Royal Bank personal credit cardholders who switch to an RBC ION Visa credit card during the Offer Period, are not eligible for this offer.
7,000 Avion points (“Welcome Points”) will appear on your monthly credit card statement within sixty (60) days after your application has been approved, provided that your RBC ION Visa credit card account (“Credit Card Account”) remains open and in good standing at the time the Welcome Points are credited to your account, “good standing” meaning that your Credit Card Account must not be past due for more than two (2) consecutive credit card account statement periods, closed, charged off or in credit revoked status.
An additional 7,000 Avion points (“Additional Points”) will be awarded to you if a total of at least $500 (the “eligible transaction amount”) in eligible net purchases or eligible pre-authorized bill payment transactions (“eligible transactions”) is charged to your RBC ION Visa credit card account within the first three months from your credit card account opening date (the “Period”), provided your account is open and in good standing at the time the Additional Points are credited to your credit card account. The Additional Points will be credited approximately 60 days after you have reached the eligible transaction amount. Eligible transactions exclude cash advances (including balance transfers, cash-like transactions, and bill payments that are not pre-authorized payments set up with a merchant), interest, and other fees. Credits for returns or adjustments that reduce the amount of eligible transactions below the $500 threshold will result in the cancellation of your Additional Points.
The Qualifying Transaction Amount is based on the transaction posting date of each Qualifying Transaction, not the transaction date. This means that transactions that take place prior to the last day of the Period will not be considered for the Qualifying Transaction Amount if they have not yet been posted or processed by the merchant, the payment network (Visa) or Royal Bank by the last day of the Period.
If you close your eligible credit card or switch to another type of RBC ION Visa credit card before the Welcome Points or Additional Points have been credited to your account, you may no longer be eligible for this offer. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer. Royal Bank reserves the right to cancel, modify, or withdraw this offer at any time without notice, even if your application has already been approved, including if we have reason to believe that you are manipulating or abusing the process, or engaging in suspicious or fraudulent activity, as determined by Royal Bank in its sole discretion. For full terms and conditions applicable to the Avion Rewards program, visit www.avionrewards.com or call 1-800-769-2512.
† To obtain gift cards or gift certificates with a value of $100, you need 14,000 Avion points. A minimum of 1,400 Avion points must be redeemed for most $10 gift cards or gift certificates. Some exceptions apply. Point redemption values may vary. For full terms and conditions and restrictions applicable to the redemption of Avion Rewards points, as well as current point redemption values, visit https://www.avionrewards.com/terms or call 1-800-769-2512.
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
1.5xGas & EV
1.5xStreaming
1.5xGroceries
1.5xTransit
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$773
2nd Year Value$200
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Best credit cards for newcomers to Canada – CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card
The CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card is a good credit card for newcomers to Canada thanks to its $0 annual fee and its low minimum income requirement of $15,000.
The card earns CIBC Aventura points at the following rates:
1 point for every $1 spent on eligible gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores, and drug stores.
1 point for every $1 spent on travel purchase through the CIBC Rewards Centre
1 point for every $2 spent on all other purchases
Once accumulated, Aventura points can be redeemed for travel items like flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and vacation packages. They can also be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, access to activities and more.
As a new cardholder, you also get the following perks:
12-month Skip+ membership, which can help you save money when you order with Skip the Dishes
up to 10 cents off when you link your card with your Journie Rewards account and fill up your tank at participating gas stations
the ability to send money to over 120 countries for $0 transfer fee
$150ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card is one of the best no-fee Visa credit cards with travel rewards in Canada.
With this offer, get up to $200 in value, with no annual fee:
Get up to 12,500 Aventura points (a value of up to $125 toward travel†):
2,500 Aventura Points when you complete all five activities within 60 days of your CIBC Aventura® Visa* account approval.†
10,000 Aventura points after making your first purchase during the period covered by your first 4 monthly statements†
A free Skip+ membership as an eligible CIBC cardholder (a $110 first-year value)†
With this no annual fee CIBC Aventura Credit Card, you get:
1 point for every dollar spent at gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, and eligible grocery and drug stores†
1 point for every $1 spent on travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre
1 point for every $2 spent on all other purchases
And this no-annual-fee CIBC Credit Card offers some insurance coverage:
$100,000 Common Carrier Accident Insurance
Purchase Security and Extended Protection Insurance
Legal
This is an exclusive digital offer†. To be eligible for this offer: 1) this offer must have been directly communicated to you from CIBC or from a partner or affiliate; 2) you must apply for the eligible card through the link provided in the CIBC or partner/affiliate communication to you†.
This offer is reserved for you. Please do not forward it to anyone else. CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Aventura card within the last 12 months.†
† Conditions apply. To learn more, select the Apply Now option.
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$15,000
Household$15,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
1xGroceries
1xGas & EV
1xPharmacy
0.5xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$406
2nd Year Value$194
Travel insurance
Travel AccidentUp to $100,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Best credit cards for newcomers to Canada – Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Our next pick for a top credit card for newcomers to Canada is the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card, which has no annual fee and $12,000 minimum income requirement.
As the card’s name would suggest, with each purchase, you earn up to 2% cash back, and this cash back is then deposited either onto your credit card or into your Tangerine Savings Account.
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has a unique earning structure in that you get to choose the two spending categories from which you’d like to earn 2% cash back. You can choose from options like groceries, restaurants, gas, entertainment, recurring bill payments, and more.
Once you’ve made your selection, any purchases you make in the other categories will earn the card’s base rate of 0.5% cash back. However, as an added bonus, you can actually choose a third 2% cash-back category if you decide to have your cash back deposited into your Tangerine Savings Account.
As a cardholder, you can also enjoy discounted rates on eligible accommodations with Booking.com, a discount with H&R Block, plus extended warranty and purchase protection.
Also, an important thing to note about banking with Tangerine is that there are no physical locations or ATMs. Since Tangerine is a digital-only bank and a subsidiary of Scotiabank, you can use Scotiabank’s ATMs, but you will be limited to only phone calls for customer service issues.
$100ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$100Total$100Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$100Total$100Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
2% cashback on your choice of up to 3 categories, 0.5% money back on all other purchases
Change your 2% Money-back categories to suit your spending from your choice of 10 categories
Personalized categories and unlimited money-back rewards monthly
Automatic earning: Money-Back Rewards are earned automatically on everyday purchases and paid monthly. These can be applied to your Credit Card balance or redeemed into your Savings Account.
1.95% on Balance Transfers for six months
Legal
*Conditions apply.
† Bank Offer: This offer is provided by Tangerine Bank and is subject to their terms and conditions.
† Bank Offer: This offer is provided by Tangerine Bank and is subject to their terms and conditions.
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has no annual fee and offers cash back.
With this limited-time welcome offer, you can earn an additional 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend up to $1,000 on everyday purchases during the first 2 months.
You can choose two to three purchase categories that interest you (groceries, gas, home furnishings, renovations, recurring bills, pharmacy, etc.) to earn 2% cash back ! And there’s no annual cash-back limit. It is one of the best credit cards for renovations.
In addition, the Tangerine Mastercard offers several insurance coverages for your purchases :
90 days purchase insurance
One year extended warranty
Finally, during the first 30 days you hold the card, transfer credit card balances and pay only 1.95% interest on these balances for the first 6 months.
Save on fuel with Shell
All Tangerine cardholders can get savings and rewards on fuel with Shell and Scene+ when you link your cards to your Shell Go+ account. Get up to 8¢/L in value with a linked Money-Back World Mastercard or Money-Back Credit Card:
Instant savings of 3¢ per litre on all grades of Shell fuel.
Earn up to 3¢ per litre in cash back with fuel selected as a 2% category.
Earn 1¢ per litre in Scene+ points value on all grades of Shell fuel, or 2¢ per litre in Scene+ points value on Shell V-Power® when you link your Scene+ Account to Shell Go+.
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$12,000
Household$12,000
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
2xGas & EV
2xGroceries
0.5xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$415
2nd Year Value$246
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Best credit cards for newcomers to Canada – BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card
Like the other cards on this list, the BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card has no annual fee, and the card has no minimum income requirement.
In terms of rewards, this card lets you earn flexible BMO Rewards points at a rate of 5 points per $2 spent on groceries, dining/take-out, and recurring bill payments. When spending in all other categories, you earn 1 point per $2 spent.
BMO Rewards points are quite flexible when it comes to their redemption opportunities. You can choose to redeem your points for travel, to cover purchases made on the credit card, or they can be used to make a contribution to your savings or investment account.
The BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card gives cardholders perks and benefits similar to those offered by the other cards on this list. With this credit card, you can enjoy the following:
mobile device insurance
extended warranty insurance
purchase security insurance
save up to 7 cents per litre at Shell gas stations
earn bonus bonus points for consistently paying off your full balance
It’s also worth noting that BMO also has a Newcomers to Canada program that will help you open a credit card without Canadian credit history, and which will generally help you get set up financially.
$168ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$168Total$168Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$168Total$168Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
The new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card with travel points, requiring no minimum income.
With this offer, you can earn up to 25,000 points as a welcome bonus:
20,000 points after $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months
2,500 points when you redeem 12,000 points with the Pay with Points option over a 12-month period
2,500 points when you pay the balance on time for 12 months
What’s more, you can benefit from an interest rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for nine months (a 2% balance transfer fee applies).
With the new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card, you earn :
5 points for every two dollars spent on recurring bill payments
5 points for every two dollars spent at the grocery store
5 points for every two dollars spent at restaurant and for takeaway
1 point per two dollars of purchases for all other purchase categories
You can use BMO Rewards points for all travel purchases made through the agency or website of your choice (plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, all-inclusive packages, Airbnb, etc.) or for rewards and gift cards on the BMO Rewards platform.
The new BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card also offers:
Mobile Device Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended warranty insurance
Finally, enjoy three months of Instacart+ membership and a $5 monthly Instacart credit when you sign up with your eligible BMO credit card.
Legal
*Conditions apply.
BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. For the latest information, please click on the Apply Now link.
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
2.5xBills & recurring payments
2.5xGroceries
2.5xRestaurants
0.5xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$475
2nd Year Value$218
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Which Credit Card Should You Choose as a Newcomer to Canada?
Deciding which credit card is best for you will depend on your personal financial situation and desires.
For example, if you don’t yet have a credit history in Canada, you’ll definitely want to focus on choosing a credit card from a bank like BMO, National Bank, or CIBC, which all have programs set up to help get you started financially even without Canadian credit history.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider what type of rewards program you find most valuable.
Also, in making your choice, don’t forget to consider the cost of the annual fee and weigh this against the value of the rewards you can earn and the perks and benefits offered by the card.
Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard®
If you arrive in Canada with no Canadian credit history, the Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard® can serve as an entry point. Approval is guaranteed as long as the basic conditions are met: being the age of majority in your province, not already holding a Capital One account, and having no account currently in collections. No minimum income is required.
The annual fee is $0. The annual interest rate is 21.9% in Quebec and 29.9% in the rest of Canada. Depending on your profile, Capital One may require a security funds deposit, namely a refundable deposit of $300 to $7,000. This card earns no rewards: its value lies in access to credit and in reporting your payments to the credit bureaus.
The Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard is designed for those looking to build or rebuild their credit score without paying annual fees. Approval is guaranteed if you meet the basic eligibility criteria, and you can check your pre-approval without affecting your credit score using the Quick Check tool.
By using your card responsibly and making your payments on time, you demonstrate your ability to manage credit to credit reporting agencies, which helps gradually improve your credit history. Capital One regularly reports your file to the credit bureaus.
You get a credit limit of $300 to $7,000 (security funds may be required) along with all Mastercard benefits: Zero Liability, Mastercard Global Services, and 24/7 customer service. The card also includes a range of everyday protections, such as purchase assurance, extended warranty, and price protection service, as well as some travel coverage.
You can add an authorized user for free. The annual interest rate is 29.9% (21.9% for Quebec residents) for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Legal
* You’re guaranteed to be approved for a Capital One Mastercard as long as you:
Are at least the age of majority in your province or territory of residence;
Don’t have a frozen credit profile and your eligibility for credit is not prohibited for legal or regulatory reasons;
Don’t have an existing Capital One account or a pending application for one; and
Haven’t applied for a Capital One account more than once in the last 30 days, haven’t had a Capital One account that was not in good standing in the last year, and aren’t in legal recoveries with Capital One.
Capital One is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply Now link for the most up to date information.
Annual fee
Primary card$0
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Value
2nd Year Value$0
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $300
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+2 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 31 days
Price protectionIncluded
Neo Secured World Mastercard® – Everywhere
Neo Financial recently rolled out a full secured lineup built specifically for newcomers and anyone building credit from scratch, and the Neo Secured World Mastercard® – Everywhere is the simplest entry point. There’s no annual fee and no minimum income requirement: your credit limit (up to $30,000) simply matches the security deposit you provide.
Unlike most secured cards, this one still earns rewards: 1% cash back on every purchase, with no categories to track, plus extra cash back (5% on average, up to 15%) at over 10,000 Neo partner merchants. Cash back is deposited directly into your Neo wallet. Neo also offers World Elite secured versions of the same concept if you want a richer rewards structure once your deposit and income allow it.
Secured credit card: this card requires a security deposit and is designed for people building or rebuilding their credit history, including newcomers to Canada. Your credit limit matches the deposit you provide.
The Neo Secured World Mastercard® – Everywhere is designed for those who want simple and consistent cash back, without tracking categories. One single rate, 1% on every purchase, with no cap.
It carries a $9.99 monthly fee (Build membership required for the secured credit limit) and is still a « set it and forget it » card: no optimization required, no categories to activate. You also earn up to 15% boosted cash back at thousands of Neo partners across Canada, deposited directly into your Neo wallet.
As a secured card, it’s a hassle-free option to earn rewards on every expense while you build your credit.
Legal
Conditions Apply. See the application for complete details.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$150
2nd Year Value$240
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Neo Secured World Elite Mastercard® – Everywhere
If you want a premium secured card, the Neo Secured World Elite Mastercard® – Everywhere keeps the same deposit-based approach but adds World Elite® travel benefits. The annual fee is $149, and your credit limit (up to $30,000) still matches your security deposit.
You earn 2% cash back on all purchases (up to $4,000 per month, then 1% after that), plus extra cash back at Neo’s 10,000+ partner merchants. You also keep the World Elite® perks: comprehensive travel insurance, collision/damage coverage for car rentals, and a DragonPass membership for airport lounges (per-visit fees apply). Neo also uses this same secured structure for co-branded cards, such as the United® MileagePlus® Neo Secured World Elite® Mastercard, which earns United miles instead of cash back.
Secured credit card: this card requires a security deposit and is designed for people building or rebuilding their credit history, including newcomers to Canada. Your credit limit matches the deposit you provide.
The Neo Secured World Elite Mastercard – Everywhere combines the simplicity of a single rate with the benefits of a premium card. Earn 2% cash back on all your purchases (up to $4,000 per month, then 1% thereafter), with no categories to track.
You keep all the World Elite® benefits: comprehensive travel insurance, collision coverage for car rentals, and a DragonPass membership for airport lounges. Add to that additional discounts at over 10,000 Neo partners.
In its secured version, it’s the premium option to build your credit while earning high cash back on every purchase.
Travel insurance is not available to Quebec residents. DragonPass membership is included; fees apply for each lounge visit.
Legal
Conditions Apply. See the application for complete details.
Annual fee
Primary card$149
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$391
2nd Year Value$331
Travel insurance
Travel MedicalUp to $1,000,000 / 14 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,000
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageIncluded
Flight DelayUp to $250
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days
Bottom Line
Choosing the best credit cards as a newcomer to Canada is one of about a million things on your to-do list when you’re new to the country.
Whether you’re looking for a card with no annual fee, one that earns valuable points, or one that lets you get started without having Canadian credit history, we’re sure you’ll find a card that suits your needs and that will help you on your specific financial journey.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful in terms of sorting through the ins and outs of Canadian credit cards, and we want to warmly say: Welcome to Canada!
FAQs
Can I get a credit card without a credit history in Canada?
Yes. Many banks have created programs specifically for newcomers to Canada and will help approve you for a credit card even if you don’t yet have a credit history in Canada.
In this case, it’s best to visit a bank branch in person so that you can speak with representative.
Is it possible to get a credit card with no income?
Yes. There are a number of credit cards in Canada that don’t have a minimum income requirement. We’ve written a guide on exactly this topic, so take a look there to start your research: Credit Cards With No or Low Minimum Income Requirement
Can I get a credit card if I’m in Canada as an international student or a temporary foreign worker?
Yes! Many Canadian banks offer credit card options for international students and temporary foreign workers.
The exact requirements to be approved will depend on which bank you choose, so we recommend that you reach out to your bank of choice to see what they can offer.
$990ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘ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”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.
New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.
This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.
Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.
To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.
The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.
You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.
Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.
Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.
You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.
The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.
Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our editorial integrity
Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.
