Credit cards for newcomers to Canada
Your first Canadian credit card does not have to depend on a long Canadian credit file. Compare published newcomer routes and a secured option, then check the identity, residence and income requirements for your situation. Approval and credit limits are decided by the issuer.
Official sources · Checked 2026-10-08
Newcomer credit cards compared
Fees and deposits are in CAD. This selection compares access routes rather than ranking cards by rewards. Annual-fee-free does not mean interest-free.
Scroll across the table to compare all fields and official sources.
| Bank / product | Annual fee | Security deposit | Credit limit | Local history / bureau reporting | Official sources / checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard — newcomer route | $0 annual fee | Ask whether your application requires security; no fixed deposit is published in the newcomer summary. | Approved individually; program advertises up to $15,000 for qualifying applicants, not a promised limit. | Canadian history is not required for eligible newcomer banking clients. Confirm bureau reporting and timing with RBC. | RBC — Credit cards for newcomers ↗ |
| TD Cash Back Visa — newcomer route | $0 annual fee | Confirm security requirements for your application with TD. | Approved individually; newcomer program advertises up to $15,000, subject to its conditions. | Eligible newcomer route without Canadian history. Confirm which bureaus receive account activity. | TD — Credit cards for newcomers ↗TD — New to Canada banking package ↗ |
| Home Trust Secured Visa | $0 option; alternative $59 annual-fee option has a lower published interest rate. | $500–$10,000 security deposit | Linked to the security deposit; lender checks and restrictions still apply. | Monthly bureau reporting published. Requires permanent Canadian residence and no current bankruptcy; unavailable in Quebec. Confirm your documents with the issuer. | Home Trust — Secured Visa ↗ |
Where the official summary does not establish a deposit or the bureaus used, the table asks you to confirm instead of assuming. A published maximum limit is not a personalized offer.
Compare newcomer credit cards in Canada →Best credit card for newcomers to Canada: compare the access route first
Start with the newcomer program you can actually use, not the largest rewards headline. Review eligible residence status, the documents requested, any banking relationship and income requirements. Then compare annual fees, purchase interest, foreign-currency charges and the deposit, if any.
The cards above illustrate two approaches: applying through a bank’s newcomer program and using a secured card. A lower fee is useful only if the product is available to you and fits how you intend to pay.
How to get your first card without Canadian credit history
Check a bank’s published newcomer program before submitting a standard online card application. Ask whether your residence stage qualifies, what evidence is required and whether a branch appointment is needed.
RBC and TD advertise routes for eligible newcomers without Canadian credit history. This removes one possible barrier; it does not remove the issuer’s application assessment or guarantee a particular limit.
- Prepare accepted ID and residence evidence for the issuer.
- Ask about income evidence and the effect of the application on your credit file.
- Compare the actual offer and credit agreement before accepting.
Secured card vs unsecured card for newcomers
A secured card uses money held as security. Home Trust publishes a deposit range of $500 to $10,000 and monthly reporting to a credit bureau; its product is not available in Quebec.
The deposit is not a prepayment of your monthly bill. You still have to repay card spending. Ask how the security is held and returned, and whether switching to an unsecured card requires another application.
Credit reporting and the cost of borrowing
Ask which Canadian credit bureaus receive activity and how often it is reported. For RBC and TD, the newcomer summaries reviewed do not establish the complete reporting details, so confirm these with the issuer.
FCAC identifies payment history as an important part of credit scoring. Pay on time, compare the statement due date and minimum payment, and avoid using rewards as a reason to borrow more.
Credit cards for international students in Canada
Use student-specific terms. The maximum credit limit advertised for a general newcomer program may not apply to a study-permit holder. RBC publishes an international-student card route with a limit of up to $2,000, subject to conditions.
Check study-permit and enrolment evidence, any banking requirement, and what changes after graduation. The credit-building guide explains how secured and student routes differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a credit card without Canadian credit history?
RBC and TD publish programs for eligible newcomers without Canadian history. Eligibility checks, income or document requirements and issuer approval still apply.
Is a secured card the same as a prepaid card?
No. A secured card is credit backed by a deposit and still has a bill to repay. Confirm that activity is reported to a credit bureau; do not assume a prepaid card builds history.
Will I receive the maximum advertised newcomer limit?
Not necessarily. The issuer assesses the application and sets a limit; a program maximum is not an approval prediction.
Do I need to buy Newcomerly credits to apply?
No. You apply directly with the issuer. Newcomerly’s free and paid research credits are for comparing public product information and follow-up research.
Can international students use newcomer credit-card offers?
Some providers publish student routes, but the documents, limits and eligibility can differ from permanent-resident and worker offers. Check the specific program.
Official references
Edited by Pick Rabbit Studio. Comparison rows show their own source-review dates; terms can change. Compare the published conditions and confirm uncertainties with the provider. This guide does not predict approval.
RBC — Credit cards for newcomers ↗TD — Credit cards for newcomers ↗TD — New to Canada banking package ↗Home Trust — Secured Visa ↗RBC — International student banking and cards ↗FCAC — Improving your credit score ↗