Best Student Credit Cards Canada 2025

No fee everyday banking

Set up direct deposit and skip the monthly fee. Free to open, and the Easy plan has no monthly fee. Worth doing if you will actually move your pay or your CRA deposits over, not if the card sits unused. Code BREMO2026.

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Build Credit Now — Top Student Cards from TD, Scotiabank, RBC, BMO, CIBC & KOHO

#1 for Students: KOHO — No Credit Check + $100 Bonus

Build credit with KOHO Credit Building · 5% cashback · Code BREMO2026

Get $100 Free →

Best Student Credit Cards & Banking in Canada 2025

KOHO + Credit Building

No Credit Check Required

KOHO's prepaid Visa with the Credit Building add-on ($10/mo) reports to Equifax and TransUnion. No credit history needed — perfect for international students and newcomers. Plus get up to 2% cashback and dining.

+ No credit check · + $100 bonus (code BREMO2026) · + 5% cashback promo · + OSAP deposit compatible

- Credit Building is an add-on cost ($10/mo or $84/yr) · - Prepaid (not a revolving credit card)

Get KOHO Free + $100 →

TD Student Visa

Best Big Bank Student Card

TD's student credit card requires minimal credit history. $0 annual fee for students. Earn TD Rewards points on purchases. Works with TD Student Banking account for a complete package.

+ $0 annual fee · + TD Rewards points · + In-person support at TD branches

- Requires some Canadian credit history · - Limited rewards vs. premium cards

Apply at TD →

Scotiabank Scene+ Visa for Students

Best for Entertainment

Earn Scene+ points redeemable for movies at Cineplex and groceries at Sobeys. $0 annual fee. Scotiabank student accounts are popular at Canadian universities. Easy approval for enrolled students.

+ Scene+ points · + $0 annual fee · + Cineplex movie rewards

- Scene+ less valuable than cash back · - Requires Canadian credit history

Apply at Scotiabank →

RBC Visa Classic for Students

Trusted Big Bank Option

RBC's student Visa has low rates and $0 annual fee. RBC is Canada's largest bank with branches at most Canadian campuses. Good entry point for building credit with the backing of Canada's biggest financial institution.

+ $0 annual fee · + RBC branch support · + Competitive student rates

- Basic rewards · - Requires some credit history

Apply at RBC →

BMO SPC Mastercard for Students

Best for Campus Discounts

BMO's student card includes SPC membership with discounts at hundreds of student-favourite stores. $0 annual fee. Good for students who frequently shop at Foot Locker, Levi's, and other SPC partners.

+ SPC campus discounts · + $0 annual fee · + No annual fee

- Limited cashback · - SPC less useful if not near partner stores

Apply at BMO →

CIBC Dividend Visa for Students

Best Cash Back Student Card

CIBC's student card offers 1–2% cash back on everyday spending. $0 annual fee for students enrolled at Canadian universities or colleges. CIBC has partnerships with many Canadian campuses.

+ Cash back rewards · + $0 annual fee · + Campus partnerships

- Requires Canadian credit history · - Not ideal for newcomers

Apply at CIBC →

Student Card Comparison Table

CardAnnual FeeRewardsCredit CheckBest For
KOHO + Credit Building$0 (+$10/mo credit)5% cashback (promo)None requiredNewcomers, international students
TD Student Visa$0TD Rewards pointsYes (minimal)TD banking customers
Scotiabank Scene+ Student$0Scene+ (Cineplex/Sobeys)Yes (minimal)Movie lovers, Sobeys shoppers
RBC Visa Classic Student$0Basic rewardsYes (minimal)RBC banking customers
BMO SPC Mastercard$0SPC discountsYes (minimal)Campus discount shoppers
CIBC Dividend Student Visa$01–2% cash backYes (minimal)Cash back seekers

Frequently Asked Questions — Student Credit Cards Canada

Can international students get a credit card in Canada?
International students with a study permit can open KOHO (no credit check) and use the Credit Building add-on to start building Canadian credit. Most bank credit cards require some Canadian credit history. KOHO is the easiest first step. After 6–12 months of KOHO Credit Building, you may qualify for a secured or student credit card at TD, RBC, or Scotiabank.
What credit score do I need for a student credit card in Canada?
Most Canadian banks approve student credit cards with no credit score or a thin credit file for enrolled students. Some require a minimum score of 560–600. KOHO requires no credit check at all. If you're just starting out, KOHO + Credit Building is the best way to establish a score before applying for a bank credit card.
Should I get a student credit card or KOHO?
Both. Use KOHO for everyday spending (no fees, 5% cashback, $100 bonus with code BREMO2026) and add the Credit Building feature to build your Equifax/TransUnion score. Once you have a score of 650+, apply for a student credit card at your bank for a true revolving credit line. Having both builds credit faster through multiple account types.
How do I build credit as a student in Canada?
Start with KOHO + Credit Building ($10/mo) which reports to both major credit bureaus with no credit check needed. Pay your phone bill on time — wireless accounts report to credit bureaus. After 6 months, apply for a secured credit card or student credit card. Keep utilization under 30% and never miss a payment. Consistent on-time payments are the #1 credit score driver.
Do student credit cards affect credit score?
Yes — student credit cards report to Equifax and TransUnion just like any other card. Paying on time and keeping your balance below 30% of your limit builds your score. Missing payments severely damages it. A student card is an excellent tool if used responsibly — the goal is to demonstrate reliable credit behaviour over 6–12+ months before graduation.
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