Banking Guide for Haitian Immigrants to Canada 2025

Updated March 2025 — bremo.io Canadian Finance Guides for Newcomers

Haiti is an important source country for immigration to Canada, particularly to Quebec, where the Haitian community is among the largest immigrant communities. Many Haitian immigrants arrive through family sponsorship, refugee programs, and Express Entry. This guide covers practical banking steps for Haitian newcomers to Canada, with notes on French-language services available in Quebec.

Opening a Bank Account as a Newcomer from Haiti

Canada's Big 5 banks offer newcomer packages with no Canadian credit history required. In Quebec, Desjardins (the large Quebec-based credit union) is also an important banking option with strong French-language services.

• TD New to Canada Banking Package — Free chequing for 12 months. TD offers French-language service across Canada.
• RBC Newcomer Advantage — French-language service and pre-arrival account opening.
• Scotiabank StartRight Program — Free banking and guaranteed credit card. Scotiabank Caribbean connections may be familiar.
• BMO NewStart Program — Free chequing and savings for 12 months.
• Desjardins (Quebec) — Major Quebec credit union with extensive French-language service and newcomer support programs.
• CIBC Welcome to Canada Banking — Free chequing for 12 months.

Sending Money to Haiti

Remittances to Haiti are critically important, as they represent a major source of income for many Haitian families. Canada is one of the top sources of remittances to Haiti.

• Western Union — Widely available for cash pickup across Haiti. One of the most reliable options given Haiti's infrastructure challenges.
• MoneyGram — Available for Haiti with cash pickup options.
• Remitly — Competitive rates for Haiti with bank deposit and cash pickup options.
• Wise — Available for HTG transfers where banking infrastructure permits.
• UniTransfer — Canadian money service provider popular with Haitian-Canadian community in Montreal.

Building Credit as a Newcomer

• Apply for a secured credit card through your newcomer bank package. Your Haitian credit history has no standing in Canada.
• KOHO's credit building feature helps establish your Canadian Equifax file without a credit check.
• After 6–12 months of on-time payments, apply for an unsecured rewards card.

Tax Obligations for Haitian Immigrants

• Worldwide income to CRA — Report all global income including Haitian rental income or business income once a Canadian tax resident.
• No Canada-Haiti Tax Treaty — Canada and Haiti do not have a comprehensive tax treaty. Consult a cross-border tax advisor.
• T1135 — File annually if Haitian assets exceed CAD $100,000.

SIN, OHIP/RAMQ, and Settlement

Apply for your SIN at Service Canada upon arrival. In Ontario, a 3-month OHIP wait applies. In Quebec, the provincial health insurance is RAMQ — newcomers generally must also wait 3 months before RAMQ coverage begins. The Haitian-Canadian community in Montreal is large and active, with community organizations such as Maison d'Haiti offering settlement services, French-language support, and financial referrals. In Ontario, similar community organizations serve Haitian newcomers.

Practical Tips

• If settling in Quebec, Desjardins is an excellent banking option with deep French-language service and community ties.
• Open a TFSA for tax-sheltered savings growth in Canada.
• Western Union and MoneyGram remain the most reliable options for remittances to Haiti given infrastructure constraints.
• Settlement organizations in Quebec often offer services in Haitian Creole (Kreyòl) in addition to French.