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Top Credit-Building Credit Cards for Newcomers in Canada 2026
Published Jan 9, 2026 3:24 PM • 10 min read
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Credit Card ExpertLet’s say you’re brand new to Canada, ready to settle in, start spending, and build credit. To do so effectively, you’ll want to find the right credit card. To help you out, we’ve created this list of the top credit-building credit cards for newcombers in Canada, with a particular focus on no-fee contenders.
Data-driven rankings of 120+ credit cards using a proprietary algorithm
Comprehensive analysis using 25+ data points including terms and conditions, points programs, and more
Objective editorial approach - we strive for unbiased reviews following our editorial guidelines
FinlyWealth's credit cards content, including rankings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of engineers and writers who specialize in credit cards, banking, and personal finance. Our work has been featured in The Globe and Mail, GoBankingRates, and AOL. Our proprietary analysis systems evaluate product features, terms, and conditions to deliver comprehensive reviews and comparisons while maintaining strict editorial standards for accuracy and integrity.
RBC Cash Back Mastercard: Best RBC Newcomer Advantage
TD Rewards Visa* Card: Best TD New to Canada
Scotiabank® Scene+ Visa Card: Best Scotiabank StartRight
BMO eclipse rise Visa* Card: Best BMO NewStart
CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card: Best CIBC for Newcomers
Best Newcomer Credit Cards in Canada
Our choice for: Best RBC Newcomer Advantage
APPLY NOW
on RBC's website
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 7% cash back for the first 3 months on up to $1,000 in total purchases^. Apply by March 25, 2026.
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%□
2.5/5
The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is a solid no-fee option for those looking to earn 2% cash back on groceries and save on gas at Petro-Canada. However, the lower cash back rate on other purchases and limited insurance coverage make it a basic rewards card for everyday use. It’s great for those who prefer a no-annual-fee card with flexible cash back redemption options.
Pros
- Decent grocery optimization
- No annual fee
- Petro Canada perks
- Flexible redemptions
Cons
- Lower reward rates
- Limited insurance
Rewards
- 2% cash back on groceries (maximum $120 cash back yearly then 1%)
- 0.5% cash back on all other purchases for the first $6k spent
- 1% cash back on all other purchases after spending over $6k
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits
Details
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Gas Discount
save 3¢/L on fuel and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada
Extra points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at RexallExtra points
Link your eligible RBC Card and earn 50 Be Well™ points on every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall
Discount
Add your credit card to your DoorDash account and get a 6-month complimentary DashPass subscription(5)
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
*Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions. The Website may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into The Website. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions. Check here for full details and current product information.
Our choice for: Best TD New to Canada
APPLY NOW
on TD's website
Welcome Bonus
Earn 15,152 TD Rewards Points† (a value of $50 on Amazon.ca†)
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
21.99% / 22.99%□
2.8/5
The TD Rewards Visa Card* is a great choice for individuals looking for a no-fee card with moderate rewards. It offers solid perks like mobile device insurance and flexible rewards redeemable for travel, gift cards, and more. However, the lower point value and limited earning potential on everyday purchases may not appeal to frequent spenders looking for maximum rewards.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Strong rewards
- Mobile device insurance
- Car rental discounts
Cons
- Low point value
- Limited insurance
Rewards
- Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
- Earn 3 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on Groceries and Restaurants†.
- Earn 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on regularly recurring bill payments set up on your Account†
- Earn 1 TD Rewards Points For every $1 you spend on other Purchases made using your Card†
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection†
90 daysExtended Warranty†
Up to 1 year
Mobile Device Insurance†
$1,000
Benefits
Details
Extra points†
Earn 50% more Stars and 50% more Aeroplan points at participating Starbucks stores
Car Rental Discount†
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
*†Terms and conditions apply.
Sponsored advertising. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on this TD credit card, please click the Apply Now button. Check here for full details and current product information.
Our choice for: Best Scotiabank StartRight
APPLY NOW
on Scotiabank's website
Welcome Bonus
Up to 10,000 Scene+ points
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.99%* / 22.99%*
3.7/5
We like this card because it offers solid rewards with no annual fee, including the opportunity to earn bonus Scene+ points within the first few months. With 2x Scene+ points on purchases at popular grocery stores, home improvement retailers, and Cineplex, plus 1x points on all other purchases, it's a great option for maximizing everyday spending.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Universal rewards
- Flexible redemptions
Cons
- Limited bonus categories
- Limited partner grocer rewards
- Lacks travel insurance
Rewards
- Earn 2x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, participating Co-ops, Freshco and more
- Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on Home Hardware, Home Building Center, Home Furniture locations in Canada and online at homehardware.ca
- Earn 2x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend at Cineplex theatres or online at cineplex.com
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
Benefits
Details
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information. Check here for full details and current product information.
Our choice for: Best BMO NewStart
APPLY NOW
on BMO's website
Welcome Bonus
Get up to 25,000 bonus points in your first anniversary!*
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
21.99%* / 23.99%*□
3.5/5
The BMO Eclipse Rise Visa is an excellent choice for those who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It offers solid bonus categories like dining, groceries, and bills, and includes rare perks such as mobile device insurance. The card is ideal for newcomers or those looking to build their credit while enjoying the benefits of a no-fee rewards card with simple, everyday earnings. If you frequently spend in the bonus categories, this card provides good value without any added costs.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Impressive bonus categories
- Mobile device insurance
- Generous welcome bonus
- Annual bonus points
- Fuel savings
Cons
- Low base earn rate
- Low point value
Rewards
- 5x points per $2 spent on eligible dining, groceries and recurring bill payments (up to $5,000 spent per category)
- 1x point per $2 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 yearMobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Benefits
Details
Extra points
2,500 bonus points per year for paying full credit card bill on time for 12 consecutive monthsExtra points
Another 2,500 bonus points for redeeming at least 12,000 points annually towards your statement balance with Pay with PointsDiscount
Enjoy three months of Instacart+ and a $5 monthly Instacart credit when you enroll your eligible BMO Credit Card.*
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
*BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information. Check here for full details and current product information.
2.6/5
The CIBC Dividend® Visa Card* is a solid option for those looking for a no-fee credit card with decent rewards, particularly for groceries. However, the lower base earn rate and limited insurance benefits make it less competitive for general spending or travel protection compared to other options.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Decent grocery earnings
- Fuel savings
- Car rental discounts
- On-demand redemptions
Cons
- Low base earn rate
- Limited insurance coverage
Rewards
- 2% cashback on groceries if they are in the first $80k transactions of the year and $20k of categorical spends
- 1% cash back on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining and recurring payments if they are in the first $80k transactions of the year and $20k of categorical spends
- 1% cashback on all other eligible card purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$500,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits
Details
Gas Discount
save up to 10¢/L on fuel at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stationsCar Rental Discount
Get up to 25% off auto rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations worldwide.
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$15,000 household
How Newcomer Programs Help Kickstart Your Credit Journey
These programs were designed to provide an accessible, hassle-free, and rewarding financial welcome, helping new Canadians build credit immediately and seamlessly.
RBC Newcomer Advantage
The RBC Newcomer Advantage program assists new Canadians in their transition into Canada's financial landscape prior to, during, and after they've landed on Canadian soil.
The program features:
- Credit card approval with no prior credit history required
- A remarkable credit limit to get you started, plus cashback opportunities
- $0 international money transfers
- $0 banking fees for a year through Advantage Banking, plus the chance to earn Avion Rewards
- Multilingual support
- Unlimited debit transactions (in Canada)
TD New to Canada
The TD New to Canada program supports newcomers by offering a TD Unlimited Chequing account, savings accounts (TD Every Day or TD ePremium), and eligible credit cards.
The TD New to Canada Banking Package also provides:
- Credit card approval without a credit history
- An impressive credit limit
- No monthly account fees when you open a TD Unlimited account
- International money transfers with TD Global Transfer, plus rebated transfer fees for up to 1 year
- Multilingual support
- Complimentary workshops and digital resources for newcomer entrepreneurs
Scotiabank StartRight
The Scotiabank StartRight program also features a comprehensive newcomer package.
Expect the following:
- A first-year rebated Preferred Package chequing account
- Rebates when you bundle eligible banking packages, savings accounts, and registered accounts
- Unlimited no-fee international money transfers
- Complimentary equity trades
- A strong credit limit
- credit card approval without a credit history required
- A handful of eligible credit card options
- Multilingual support
BMO NewStart
The BMO NewStart program's goal is to ensure that new Canadians have the ability to build a solid financial foundation, effortlessly.
The program provides:
- A few credit card options
- Credit card approval without a credit history
- Access to savings accounts, safety deposit boxes, mortgages, and investments
- No-fee global money transfers
- Multilingual support
CIBC for Newcomers
Like the previous programs, the CIBC for Newcomers program offers newcomer banking bundles that include:
- No-fee chequing accounts
- Unlimited transactions, including free unlimited Interac e-Transfers
- A family and friend incentivized referral program
- Cash rewards for making eligible deposits, payments, and purchases
- Deposit-free and credit-history-free credit card approval
- Cashback and travel reward opportunities (depending on the card)
- An admirable credit limit
From our Editors: The Best Credit-Building Newcomer Credit Cards in Canada
Best RBC Newcomer Advantage: RBC Cashback Mastercard
Not only is the RBC Cash Back Mastercard eligible for the RBC Newcomer Advantage program, it also collects excellent bonus and standard cashback rates on groceries and other qualifying transactions. For coverage, this card includes purchase protection and extended warranty insurance. In terms of benefits, expect gas discounts and extra points at Petro-Canada, bonus Be Well points on eligible Rexall purchases, and a couple of DoorDash deals. Read more in our RBC Cashback Mastercard Review.
Best TD New to Canada: TD Rewards Visa Card
In addition to being part of the TD New to Canada program, the TD Rewards Visa Card earns cardholders solid TD Rewards points on travel booked through Expedia for TD, groceries, restaurants, and recurring bill payments. In fact, this contender is one of the best TD credit cards in Canada. Coverage includes purchase protection, extended warranty, and valuable mobile device insurance. For benefits, new Canadians receive extra Stars and TD Rewards points at participating Starbucks stores, plus car rental discounts at Avis and Budget locations. Learn more in our TD Rewards Visa Card Review.
Best Scotiabank Startright: Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
Featured in Scotiabank's Startright program, the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card collects plenty of Scene+ points at partnered grocers, plus points on Home Hardware, Home Building Center, Home furniture locations, Cineplex, and travel booked through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia. Cardholders also receive car rental discounts at participating Avis and Budget locations. Discover more in our Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card Review.
Best BMO NewStart: BMO eclipse rise Visa Card
Included in the BMO NewStart program, the BMO eclipse rise Visa Card is notable for its point potential on dining, groceries, and recurring bill payments. This rewards program accompanies decent coverage and extra points when you pay your balance in full and/or redeem enough points annually towards your statement balance, plus a couple of Instacart discounts. All of these features combined rank this competitor as one of the best BMO credit cards in Canada. Get all the details in our BMO eclipse rise Visa Card Review.
Best CIBC for Newcomers: CIBC Dividend Visa Card
The CIBC Dividend Visa Card is a strong contender of the CIBC for Newcomers program. This card offers commendable cashback on groceries, gas, electric vehicle charging, transportation, dining, and recurring payments. On top of admirable insurance, cardholders receive gas discounts at participating stations, plus car rental discounts at Avis and Budget locations. Find out more in our CIBC Dividend Visa Card Review.
Newcomer Credit Cards vs Secured Credit Cards
Newcomer credit cards function the same way as regular (unsecured) credit cards, they simply provide easier approval for those who are new to Canadian. Newcomer credit cards are specifically issued to recent immigrants, international students, and foreign workers. They offer an easier way to build credit without a Canadian credit history.
Secured credit cards, while similar in the sense that they help build credit and are designed for those with no or poor credit history, function a bit differently than traditional credit cards. These cards require a refundable security deposit (which typically acts as your credit limit) prior to activation.
In short, secured credit cards are available to anyone with little, no, or damaged credit history, while newcomer credit cards are specifically designed for new Canadians. Although both help build credit, their approval requirements and functionality differ slightly.
Read More: Secured vs Unsecured Credit Cards, Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada
How to Apply for a Newcomer Credit Card in Canada
To apply for any of the newcomer credit cards featured above, simply tap the "Apply Now" button below your card of choice. Afterwards, you'll be redirected to the issuer's official website to begin the application process. Credit card applications typically ask for personal information (such as your birthdate, address, and email) and financial information (like your income, when applicable).
Frequently Asked Questions
When you use a credit card, your spending habits and repayment patterns are reported to major Canadian credit bureaus (more details here). These credit bureaus use your credit report to calculate a reflective credit score.
Factors like paying off your balance by its due date and keeping your credit utilization ratio low (generally under 30%) influence the calculation of your credit score.
To better understand your billing cycle and how to follow it responsibly, review our credit card billing cycle blog post.
No. The key benefit of a newcomer credit card is that you don't need a Canadian credit history to qualify.
Most newcomers can build a ‘fair’ to ‘good’ credit score (660+) within about 6 to 12 months of responsible use. With consistent payments, a few active accounts, and low utilization, your score will grow over time.
There are a couple of newcomer credit cards that cost an annual fee. In this guide, however, we focused on on no-fee options. You can always switch to a paid credit card once you've gained financial momentum.
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Sara Skodak
Lead Writer
Since graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Sara has built a diverse writing portfolio, covering topics in the travel, business, and wellness sectors. As a self-started freelance content ...
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Kevin Shahnazari
Credit Card Expert
Kevin started FinlyWealth and juggles a bit of everything—digging into data, running our marketing, and keeping the finances on track. Before this, he spent years as a data scientist at tech companies...
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Abid Salahi
Credit Card Expert
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