Best Prepaid Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees in Canada


Prepaid cards with no foreign transaction fees have become essential tools for travelling for less in Canada. They let you pay and withdraw cash abroad without the usual 2.5% conversion fee.
You can use them for purchases, for ATM withdrawals, and as a backup card. In this article, you'll find the best options in Canada, including Wise, Wealthsimple, EQ Bank and KOHO.
A prepaid card is a card you load before you use it. Unlike a credit card, you can't spend more than the balance on it.
In practice, you transfer money to the card, then use it to pay or withdraw cash. That helps you control your budget and stay out of debt.
Some prepaid cards also go further than a regular debit card. For example, they can include better exchange rates, multi-currency balances or budgeting tools.
That makes them a strong option for travel, especially if you want to avoid conversion fees and get a favourable exchange rate.
First, prepaid cards with no foreign transaction fees save you the 2.5% conversion fee most banks add to every purchase in another currency. That can add up to real savings.
They also limit your risk. If the card is lost or used fraudulently, only the balance loaded on it is exposed.
In addition, they make cash withdrawals abroad cheaper, and some even reimburse ATM fees.
Finally, they make an excellent backup card. You can use them alongside your travel credit card.
The Wise Card has no annual fee, and you can hold and exchange more than 40 currencies directly in your Wise account.
Abroad, you withdraw cash with no Wise fee up to $100 a month. Beyond that, Wise charges $2.69 plus 2.69% of the amount over $100.
You also convert currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, with low, transparent fees. That costs far less than the 2.5% your credit card typically adds to a foreign transaction.
You manage your account easily in the Wise app, and you can freeze or unfreeze your card instantly. Automatic currency conversion makes sure you always pay the lowest possible fee when you spend in a currency you don't hold.
You can track your currency balances in the app and get instant notifications for added security. As a debit card, the Wise Card helps you stick to a budget without debt or credit charges.
In our opinion, the Wise Visa Card is the best card for travelling and paying in foreign currencies.
We travel to Japan often, and we appreciate being able to hold yen directly on the card: we convert in advance when the rate is favourable. To fund your account for free, set up Interac Autodeposit with your Wise account email. Wise charges nothing to receive an Interac e-Transfer, up to $25,000 a day.
For more details, read our guide to saving on withdrawals abroad with the Wise Card.
With the Wealthsimple Visa Platinum Prepaid Card, you spend the money available in your Wealthsimple chequing account.
Wealthsimple also reimburses your ATM fees, which makes it a good card for withdrawing cash on a trip.
You can invest your money in an investment account or a cryptocurrency of your choice. Your balance also earns interest in your Wealthsimple chequing account: Wealthsimple Generation clients get up to 2.25%.
On top of that, you pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases in a currency other than the Canadian dollar, and no annual fee.
In our opinion, the Wealthsimple Visa Platinum Prepaid Card is an excellent card for everyday use and occasional spending abroad.
To learn more, read our complete guide to the Wealthsimple chequing account.
With the EQ Bank Card, you pay no foreign exchange fees on purchases made abroad or in a foreign currency. It's a reloadable prepaid Mastercard, and EQ Bank reimburses ATM fees in Canada, up to $5 per withdrawal, 5 times a month.
Your balance also earns the same rate as your EQ Bank account, and you get 0.5% cash back on every purchase made with the EQ Bank Card.
Since it's a Mastercard, you can use it almost anywhere in the world, including Costco warehouses in Canada.
We also like the EQ Bank account for a simple reason: it's where we keep our short-term travel savings, and one transfer is all it takes to fund the card before a withdrawal abroad. Your eligible deposits are protected by CDIC up to $100,000.
In our opinion, the EQ Bank Card is ideal if you want to combine savings with occasional use while travelling.
For more details, see our review of the EQ Bank Card.
Special offer:
The KOHO Extra Prepaid Mastercard (formerly the KOHO Premium Prepaid Mastercard) earns you more cash back:
Your money earns 2.5% interest (calculated daily, paid monthly) and is eligible for CDIC protection. The card is also accepted at Costco.
When you travel, you pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad.
You can pay for the Extra plan in two ways:
In our opinion, the KOHO Extra Prepaid Mastercard is perfect for keeping your everyday spending in check.
For more details, see our review of the KOHO Extra Prepaid Mastercard.
| Card | Foreign exchange fees | ATM | Multi-currency | Interest | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Visa Card | None | Yes | Yes | No | Travel |
| Wealthsimple Visa Platinum Prepaid Card | None | Yes | No | Yes | Simplicity |
| EQ Bank Card | None | Yes | No | Yes | Savings + travel |
| KOHO Extra Prepaid Mastercard | None | Yes | No | Yes | Budgeting |
The right prepaid card with no foreign transaction fees depends mainly on how you travel and how you use your money. Each option answers a specific need.
First, if you travel often or to several countries, Wise remains the benchmark. You can hold several currencies and get a good exchange rate.
Next, if you want a simple way to manage your everyday finances, Wealthsimple is a solid option. The app is intuitive and transfers are fast. It suits you well if you rarely juggle currencies.
If you want your money to keep working while you still have a card to spend with, the EQ Bank Card stands out. You earn cash back on purchases on top of interest on your balance.
Finally, if your priority is keeping your spending in check, KOHO is a strong fit. It gives you budgeting tools and is easy to get, even without a credit history.
Prepaid cards and credit cards with no foreign transaction fees answer different needs, so it helps to know what each one does best.
On one hand, a prepaid card keeps your spending in check. You can't go over your balance, which limits the risk of debt. You also get one without a credit check, which makes it a good fit for many profiles.
In exchange, you generally get few perks. You don't earn points or meaningful rewards, and insurance protection is limited.
On the other hand, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees earns rewards on your purchases abroad. Depending on the card, you get points, cash back or comprehensive travel insurance.
Also see our guide to credit cards with no foreign transaction fees:
These cards do require you to manage credit well. Pay your balance in full every month to avoid interest.
Often, the best strategy is to combine both. Use a credit card for purchases and rewards, then a prepaid card for withdrawals and as a backup.
That's exactly what we do: we use all three cards. We pay first with a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees to earn points, and the Wise Card stays our first choice for withdrawing cash abroad. The other two prepaid cards take over when we hit Wise's limits.
Even with a prepaid card that has no foreign transaction fees, a few mistakes can cost you unnecessary fees. A few good habits help you avoid them easily.
First, always pay in the local currency. When a terminal offers to charge you in Canadian dollars, decline: this option, called dynamic currency conversion, usually applies a poor rate.

Next, use ATMs from recognized banks. Private ATMs, often found in tourist areas, charge high fees.
Also check your card's withdrawal limits. Some cards include a set number or amount of free withdrawals, then charge per transaction.
In addition, look up your card's specific fees before you leave. Even with no conversion fees, fixed fees can apply.
Finally, always have a backup. A card can be blocked for security reasons, so travel with at least two different cards.
With these habits, you get the most from your prepaid card and avoid bad surprises abroad.
Prepaid cards with no foreign transaction fees are simple, effective tools for travelling from Canada. They save you unnecessary fees and help you manage your budget.
In most cases, Wise remains the best option for travel. Wealthsimple, EQ Bank and KOHO each answer other specific needs.
Ideally, pair a prepaid card with a travel credit card to get the most out of both.
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