Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada 2025

No Canadian credit history? No problem. Here are the best credit card options for newcomers and immigrants — from secured cards to bank newcomer programs.

Types of Cards Available to Newcomers

Newcomers to Canada have three main credit card pathways: secured credit cards (require a deposit), bank newcomer programs (unsecured cards available within the first few years), and prepaid cards with credit-building features. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right card for your situation.

Best Secured Credit Cards for Newcomers

Card	Annual Fee	Min. Deposit	Reports to Bureaus
Home Trust Secured Visa (no fee)	$0	$500	Yes — both
Home Trust Secured Visa (with rewards)	$59	$500	Yes — both
Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard	$59	$75	Yes — both
Refresh Financial Secured Visa	$48.95	$200	Yes — both
Peoples Trust Secured Mastercard	$0	$500	Yes — both

Bank Newcomer Credit Cards (No Deposit Required)

Canada's major banks offer special unsecured credit cards for newcomers who have arrived within the past 2–5 years. These are genuine credit cards with no deposit requirement — the bank uses your immigration status and new-to-Canada designation instead of a credit score:

• Scotiabank Scene+ Visa for newcomers: No annual fee, earn Scene+ points, apply within first 3 years in Canada
• RBC Visa Classic (newcomer): No annual fee, cash back option, requires opening an RBC chequing account
• TD Aeroplan Visa for newcomers: Earn Aeroplan miles, no credit check required within first 3 years of arrival
• CIBC Aventura Visa for newcomers: Travel rewards, no annual fee first year
• BMO CashBack Mastercard for newcomers: 3% cash back on groceries, no annual fee

To qualify for these newcomer cards, you typically need: to have arrived in Canada within 3–5 years, to have valid immigration documents (PR card, work permit, or study permit), and to have a bank account at that institution. You do not need a Canadian credit history.

KOHO: Prepaid Visa + Credit Building

KOHO is not a traditional credit card, but it provides two valuable functions for newcomers: a Visa prepaid card that works everywhere Visa is accepted, and a credit-building subscription that reports monthly payments to Equifax. At $7/month, the credit-building feature is one of the most affordable ways to generate a credit history if you cannot qualify for a secured card.

KOHO's advantages for newcomers: instant online approval, no credit check, no SIN required to apply, no minimum balance, and no monthly banking fees on the base plan. It is an excellent first financial product while you wait for your SIN and establish your banking relationship.

How to Use Your Credit Card to Build Credit Fast

• Make 2–4 small purchases per month — a grocery run, streaming subscription, or transit card top-up
• Set up automatic payment of the full balance before the due date every month — never carry a balance
• Keep your balance below 30% of your credit limit at all times — ideally below 10% for maximum score impact
• Do not close your first secured card even after you upgrade — the account age improves your credit history length
• After 12 months, ask your secured card issuer to upgrade you to an unsecured card or increase your limit

Upgrading Your Card as Your Credit Grows

The newcomer credit card journey typically follows this progression:

• Month 1: Secured card or KOHO credit builder
• Month 3–6: Newcomer bank unsecured card (no deposit)
• Month 12–18: Standard cash back or rewards card with moderate limits
• Year 2–3: Premium travel or cash back card with $500–$1,000 annual fee rewards
• Year 3+: Best-in-Canada cards (Amex Cobalt, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, etc.)