Are you a newcomer starting your life in Canada? Welcome to the country! There’s a lot to do, and no doubt you’ve already got many questions on your mind. Over the past few years, inflation has significantly impacted our purchasing power, and there are many ways of dealing with it.
That’s where Milesopedia comes in. As Quebec’s leading reference site, milesopedia.com is your ally in navigating this complex universe. We can help you understand and use Canada’s loyalty program and credit card system to save money on everyday expenses and travel planning!
Whether you’re a permanent resident, a Canadian citizen, a refugee, an international student or a temporary worker, navigating the Canadian financial system may seem complex at first, but it’s crucial to your integration and success in this country.
However, by following a clear set of steps, you can establish a solid foundation for your financial health in your new country. Here’s where to start:
All newcomers will need a bank account in Canada to avoid transaction fees with a foreign payment card.
Choose a bank or credit union in Canada that offers services tailored to your needs as a newcomer. The major banks in Canada are :
There are two main products to get you started:
As a Canadian immigrant, it may be worthwhile to sign up for a service such as a no-fee chequing account for the first year, or to look into financial advisory services. Some offers also include a welcome bonus. It’s important to compare the fees, services and benefits of different institutions to find the financial products that best suit your needs.
Several Canadian financial institutions offer special chequing accounts for newcomers, for example:
You’ll get a debit card to pay for purchases or withdraw money from your chequing account directly at the bank or one of the many automated teller machines (ATMs). However, you’ll be limited in what you can spend online, in stores or travelling.
Please note: you’ll need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before taking any financial steps, as it’s essential for working or accessing government programs and services. It’s free to obtain. You’ll need to keep your NAS safe
In many cases, a financial institution will offer you a credit card in addition to a debit card.
A credit card allows you to borrow money from the bank, which is usually repaid at the end of the month. Interest charges are billed and are calculated according to the card’s annual interest rate (APR), the outstanding balance and how the balance is carried from month to month.
Here are a few guides if you’re just starting out with debit and credit cards:
A credit card is crucial to start building your credit history in Canada. Look for cards designed for newcomers that don’t require a Canadian credit history.
As a newcomer, we recommend you adopt these two habits:
Why? Your behaviour is recorded in a detailed report on your credit history or credit file by credit bureaus: Equifax or TransUnion in Canada assigns you a number, called a “credit score.” Financial institutions then use this score to identify your creditworthiness, assessing the risk of lending you money or granting you credit.
Want to take out a loan to buy a car, apartment or house? Your credit score will be essential to your future financial endeavours, such as obtaining a mortgage or car loan.
To find out more about credit scores, see our complete reports:
A wide range of options to suit different financial needs and lifestyles are available to Canadians. The credit card market is very dynamic. New products are introduced regularly, while less popular offers are withdrawn. There are over 200 credit cards on the market, and with everyone having different needs, it can be hard to find your way around: it’s our mission to guide you through these options.
Milesopedia analyzes the credit card offers of Canada’s leading financial institutions on a daily basis to produce monthly rankings and annual rankings based on over 18,000 data points, such as annual fees, welcome offers and insurance. This exercise establishes 32 categories, making it easier for consumers to identify with a specific profile and objective. We have set up a points valuation system to help you calculate the return on your points.
Finally, Milesopedia offers an easy-to-use credit card comparator, listing the vast majority of financial products available on the Canadian market. Answer the five questions and use the search filters to find your next credit card!
Still, have questions about choosing your next credit card? See our guides:
This year, the KOHO Mastercard Prepaid Card won the award for the best card for newcomers.
Still not sure about signing up for your first card? Here is a selection of the best credit cards chosen by us and voted by the community based on :
You may wonder how loyalty or reward programs can help you integrate into Canada.
Loyalty programs in Canada play a crucial role in the customer retention strategy of many companies, offering consumers a variety of benefits and rewards to encourage brand loyalty and repeat purchases. These programs cover a wide range of sectors, including travel, retail, financial services and more.
It’s essential to have the right strategy in place before signing up for a credit card. Consider the rewards you could earn: would you prefer travel points to save on hotel stays, airline tickets or cash back?
If you have any doubts about the benefits of reward points, look at the many testimonials we’ve gathered from our community!
Here’s an overview of Canada’s current state of loyalty programs, including trends, challenges and opportunities.
When we think of loyalty programs, we think of collecting personal information on consumers’ purchasing habits, personal preferences, contact information and sometimes even online behaviour.
Companies use these programs to personalize their offers and improve the customer experience. While this can offer significant benefits for both businesses and consumers, it also raises a number of issues relating to privacy and the security of personal data.
Consumers may not be fully aware of the extent to which their data will be used, particularly if it is shared with partners, advertisers, or other entities outside the original loyalty program. This may result in data being used for targeted marketing or other practices that may be perceived as intrusive.
With the vast amount of personal information stored, loyalty programs can become attractive targets for cyber attacks. Data breaches can expose consumers’ personal information, leading to risks of fraud and identity theft.
Questions of consent and transparency are crucial. Are consumers fully informed and do they understand what they are agreeing to when they sign up for a loyalty program? Privacy policies and consent practices must be clear and easily accessible, but this is not always the case.
Finally, with the new Bill 25 on the management of personal information in Quebec recently implemented (September 2023) and inspired by European law (RGPD), citizens have more protections and companies have obligations to fulfill. Companies must adopt responsible data management practices, such as :
Find out which loyalty programs exist and which ones you should sign up for with Milesopedia, as well as all our related articles every week!
Gérer son budget en tant qu’expatrié présente des défis uniques, notamment en raison de la fluctuation des taux de change, des coûts de la vie variables et de la nécessité de planifier à la fois dans son pays d’origine et dans le pays d’accueil.
Voici quelques recommandations pour une gestion budgétaire efficace en tant qu’expatrié :
Vos impôts servent à financer des programmes et services du gouvernement notamment pour les nouveaux arrivants au Canada. Vous devrez soumettre une déclaration de revenus chaque année à l’Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC).
When you arrive, be sure to ask about the many types of insurance (health, car, home, life, etc.) you may need to take out to protect yourself against unforeseen expenses or life’s hazards. Our advice:
If you’re a pvtist (participant in the Working Holiday Program (WHP)), you may have specific insurance and financial planning needs. Opt for :
Saving and investing is the next step! Familiarize yourself with Canadian savings and investment options, such as :
to save money and benefit from tax advantages.
Despite these laws and protections in place for Canadian consumers, no one is immune to fraud or identity theft. As a newcomer, it’s not always easy to know who to trust.
Always be cautious when you receive a call from an agent asking for financial information. The institution may ask for your surname, first name, date of birth and address to identify you, but never your Social Insurance Number (SIN), for example. A fraudster may try to gain your trust by giving you collected information or by calling you with a number impersonating the institution’s (spoofing).
If in doubt, hang up and call the financial department yourself. Fraudsters use a variety of methods:
Fraudsters pose as agents of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or another tax authority, claiming that you owe money for unpaid taxes. They often threaten serious consequences, such as arrest or prosecution, if you don’t pay immediately, usually by bank transfer, gift cards, or other untraceable means.
In this scam, fraudsters pretend to be associated with a major technology company (such as Microsoft, Apple, or an antivirus provider) and claim that your computer is infected with a virus or compromised in some other way. They offer to fix it for a fee, or try to get you to give them remote access to your computer, which can lead to the theft of personal information or the installation of malware.
Scammers call pretending to be your bank or credit card company, reporting a problem with your account, such as a suspicious transaction. They try to scare you into confirming personal information or account details, which they then use to commit fraud.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, health-related scams have emerged, where crooks pose as public health officials, offering screening tests, vaccines, or treatments in return for payment or personal information.
Victims receive calls informing them that they have won a lottery or prize (which they never entered) but must pay fees or taxes to claim their winnings.
These SMS messages may appear to come from legitimate organizations, such as banks, government agencies or well-known companies, and attempt to trick you into divulging personal or financial information or clicking on malicious links.
Consult our articles on fraud to stay alert and pass on these security measures to your friends and family:
It’s possible to start your own business in Quebec as a newcomer. Banks can offer you services and products tailored to your needs, whether you’re a small business or an SME. Here are our dossiers on the subject:
There are many resources in Canada for newcomers to understand the Canadian financial system, taxes, benefits and more.
Participate in workshops, webinars and financial advice often provided free of charge by banks, community organizations and government institutions. Follow the “L’argent ne dort jamais” Facebook group or visit their website Educfinance.
And don’t miss our Milesopedia events! We organize one or two 5 to 7 events each year so that the community can exchange ideas on the different ways of collecting and using points.
Finally, check out National Bank’s newly published Practical Guide to Canadian Immigration.
We hope you now feel better equipped to manage your money effectively and make informed decisions! Follow us on our various social networks to find out how you can save money with Reward Points!
It all depends on your personal preferences, climate, job opportunities and cost of living. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary are popular with expats.
Expatriates must first determine the type of visa they need (e.g. work visa, student visa, etc.) and follow the application procedure on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
The SIN is an identification number used in Canada to access government and private services, including opening bank accounts and applying for credit. Obtaining it is crucial for anyone working or living in Canada.
Newcomers can apply for credit cards specially designed for them by Canadian banks. These cards often do not require a Canadian credit history. You’ll need to provide documents such as your passport, work or residence permit, and possibly proof of income.
Yes, for most loans, a Canadian credit history is required. However, some financial institutions offer special loans and credit for newcomers with no Canadian credit history.
Some services, such as Nova Credit, allow you to transfer your international credit history to Canada. This can make it easier to obtain credit without having to rebuild your credit history from scratch.
Canada is bilingual (English and French), with varying language requirements depending on the region. Basic competence in one of these languages is often a prerequisite for employment.
Canadian banks offer various types of accounts, including chequing and savings accounts. Special accounts for newcomers are often available with reduced or no fees.
Vous pouvez ouvrir un compte bancaire une fois au Canada en fournissant des documents d’identification et d’autres justificatifs nécessaires. Certaines banques offrent des services spéciaux pour les expatriés.
Oui, plusieurs institutions financières permettent d’ouvrir un compte bancaire avant votre arrivée afin de faciliter votre immigration au Canada.
Obtaining a mortgage as a newcomer can be more complex due to a lack of credit history. However, some banks offer special mortgage programs for newcomers.
As a resident of Canada, you’ll have to declare your worldwide income and pay taxes accordingly. We recommend that you consult a tax advisor to understand your tax obligations.
Il est conseillé de créer un budget, de comprendre le système fiscal canadien, d’établir un historique de crédit solide, et de se familiariser avec les produits et services financiers disponibles.
Le coût de la vie varie selon la ville et le mode de vie. Les grandes villes comme Toronto et Vancouver ont tendance à être plus chères.
Savings are here:
