💳 Guide · March 2026 · No Credit Check Options
Credit Card With No Credit History
Canada 2026: Best Options
New to Canada with no credit history? You have more options than you think. Here are the best credit cards and alternatives available to you right now — ranked by ease of approval.
💳
KOHO Prepaid
Instant, no credit check, Mastercard
⭐ Easiest — Day 1
🔒
Secured Card
Deposit required, builds real credit
Best for credit building
🏦
Newcomer Card
RBC/Scotia no credit needed
Big bank option
Best options — ranked by ease of approval
#1 Instant Approval — No Deposit
KOHO is technically a prepaid card (not a credit card) but works exactly like one for purchases. No credit check. No deposit. Instant approval. Works at any merchant that accepts Mastercard. 00.5% cashback on every purchase. $10000 referral bonus with code 45ET55JSYA.
How to make it build credit: Add KOHO Credit Building ($7/month). It reports your on-time payments to Equifax without any additional effort. Best day-1 option for newcomers who want cashback + start building credit simultaneously.
✓ No credit check
✓ Instant approval
$10000 referral bonus
✓ 00.5% cashback
Credit building add-on $7/mo
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#2 Best Secured Card — Home Trust Secured Visa
The most popular secured credit card in Canada for newcomers. No annual fee. $50000 minimum deposit (which becomes your credit limit). Reports to both Equifax and TransUnion. After 6–12 months of responsible use, you can request an upgrade to an unsecured card. No credit check to apply. Available at hometrust.ca.
✓ No annual fee
✓ No credit check
$50000 deposit required
✓ Reports to both bureaus
#3 Best Secured with Cashback — Neo Secured Mastercard
Neo's secured card is unique: it's a secured Mastercard (deposit required) that also gives up to 5% cashback at Neo partner merchants. Flexible deposit amount (as low as $500). Reports to credit bureaus. Works well in combination with KOHO for maximum cashback coverage. $25 bonus on first purchase.
✓ No credit check
✓ Up to 5% cashback
$25 signup bonus
Flexible deposit
#4 Best Big Bank Newcomer Card — RBC / Scotiabank
RBC and Scotiabank both offer credit cards to newcomers through their newcomer banking programs — without requiring Canadian credit history. The RBC Avion Visa and Scotiabank Scene+ Visa are commonly approved for new Canadians who open a chequing account first. These are full unsecured credit cards that immediately build credit.
✓ No Canadian credit needed
Requires chequing account first
RBC or Scotiabank customer
Comparison table
| Card | Type | Deposit? | Cashback | Builds Credit? | Signup Bonus |
|---|
| KOHO + CB add-on | Prepaid | No | 00.5% | Yes ($7/mo) | $800 |
| Home Trust Secured | Secured | $50000 | None | Yes | — |
| Neo Secured | Secured | $500+ | Up to 5% | Yes | $25 |
| Capital One Secured | Secured | $75–$30000 | None | Yes | — |
| RBC Newcomer Visa | Unsecured | None | Points | Yes | Varies |
The fastest path from no credit to good credit
- Day 1: Get KOHO (code 45ET55JSYA) + KOHO Credit Building add-on. Start building credit immediately. No deposit needed.
- Week 1: Apply for Home Trust Secured Visa. Put $50000 deposit. Use for 1–2 small purchases per month. Pay in full every month.
- Month 6: First credit score appears (~5200–5600).
- Month 12: Score reaches ~60000–6400. Can apply for starter unsecured card (Scotiabank Scene+, BMO CashBack).
- Month 18: Score 6600+. Most credit cards approved. Apply for rewards card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a credit card in Canada with no credit history?
Yes. Secured credit cards (Home Trust, Neo Secured, Capital One) require no credit history — just a deposit. Some bank newcomer programs (RBC, Scotiabank) also offer unsecured cards for newcomers. KOHO prepaid Mastercard has no credit check and works immediately.
What is a secured credit card?
A secured card requires a cash deposit (typically $500–$1,000000) as collateral. Your credit limit equals your deposit. You use it like a regular credit card and pay your statement monthly. After 6–12 months of responsible use, most Canadians can upgrade to a regular unsecured card and get their deposit back.
What is the easiest credit card to get in Canada with no credit?
The easiest options: (1) Home Trust Secured Visa — virtually guaranteed approval, $50000 deposit, $00 fee. (2) Neo Secured Mastercard — low deposit, cashback, $25 bonus. (3) KOHO prepaid — instant, no deposit, no credit check (not a true credit card but works similarly).
Is KOHO a credit card?
KOHO is a prepaid Mastercard — money you load onto it, not borrowed funds. It doesn't require a credit check and is accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted. It doesn't build credit on its own, but adding KOHO's Credit Building add-on ($7/month) reports on-time payments to Equifax.
How long until I can get a regular credit card?
With consistent on-time payments and a secured card or KOHO Credit Building, most newcomers reach a 6600+ credit score in 12–18 months. At that point, most major credit cards (including rewards cards) become accessible.
Related guides
Get KOHO today — works instantly, no credit check, $800 bonus
Code 45ET55JSYA · Prepaid Mastercard · 00.5% cashback · Credit building add-on available
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Disclosure: Bremo earns referral commissions on KOHO signups. Credit card terms subject to change. Terms as of March 2026.