Banking Guide for Polish Immigrants to Canada 2025

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

Poland is a growing source of immigration to Canada, with Polish newcomers arriving through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship. Canada's Polish community is one of the oldest European immigrant communities in the country, with strong infrastructure particularly in Ontario and Alberta. This guide covers practical banking steps for Polish newcomers.

Opening a Bank Account as a Newcomer from Poland

All Big 5 Canadian banks offer newcomer packages with no Canadian credit history required. Bring your Polish passport and Canadian immigration document.

• TD New to Canada Banking Package — Free chequing for 12 months, Visa card without Canadian credit history.
• RBC Newcomer Advantage — Pre-arrival account opening online.
• Scotiabank StartRight Program — Free banking and guaranteed credit card for 12 months.
• BMO NewStart Program — Free chequing and savings for 12 months.
• CIBC Welcome to Canada Banking — Free chequing for 12 months.

Sending Money Between Poland and Canada

• Wise — Excellent PLN to CAD rates. One of the most cost-effective options for Poland-to-Canada transfers. Transfers typically complete within 1–2 business days.
• Revolut — Popular among Polish users. Competitive PLN-CAD conversions with strong app functionality.
• Bank wire (SWIFT) — Polish banks (PKO BP, Bank Pekao, mBank) can transfer via SWIFT to Canadian accounts. Fees typically PLN 30–60 plus exchange rate spread.
• Currencies Direct — Good for larger one-time transfers over PLN 20,000.

Building Credit as a Newcomer

Your Polish credit history (BIK — Biuro Informacji Kredytowej) has no standing in Canada. Build Canadian credit from scratch:

• Secured credit card from your newcomer bank package.
• KOHO's credit building feature for passive Equifax reporting.
• After 6–12 months, apply for a standard unsecured rewards card.

Tax Obligations for Polish Immigrants

• Worldwide income to CRA — Report all global income to the CRA once a Canadian tax resident, including Polish rental income or business income.
• Canada-Poland Tax Treaty — Canada and Poland have a comprehensive tax convention. Polish taxes paid may be credited on your Canadian return.
• Polish tax residency departure — Notify the Polish tax authority (Urząd Skarbowy) of your change in residence. Polish residents who maintain significant ties to Poland may still be considered Polish tax residents.
• T1135 — File annually with the CRA if your Polish assets exceed CAD $100,000.

SIN, OHIP, and Settlement

Apply for your SIN at Service Canada upon arrival. In Ontario, a 3-month OHIP wait applies. The Polish-Canadian community has deep roots across Canada — Polish community centres, Catholic churches, and cultural organizations in Toronto, Hamilton, and other cities provide settlement resources and community connections.

Practical Tips

• Open a TFSA for tax-sheltered savings growth in Canada.
• Use Wise or Revolut for transfers between Canada and Poland — much cheaper than bank wires.
• BLIK (Polish mobile payment system) does not work in Canada. Set up Interac e-Transfer and a Canadian credit card as your primary payment tools.
• Polish driving licences are exchangeable for provincial licences in most Canadian provinces without a driving test within a specified window.