Can International Students Get a Credit Card Without Local Credit History in Canada?

Can international students get a credit card without local credit history in Canada? Yes. Several major Canadian banks offer student or newcomer credit cards that do not require an established Canadian credit history.

Canadian credit reports are normally created when you first apply for or use credit in the country. Therefore, arriving without a local score is common and does not automatically mean you have bad credit. It simply means lenders have limited Canadian repayment information about you.

Approval is not guaranteed. Banks may still assess your immigration status, enrolment, income, savings, expenses and ability to repay the account.

No Canadian Credit History vs Bad Credit

These situations are different:

• No credit history: You have not yet used enough Canadian credit products to create a meaningful local record.
• Bad credit: Your report contains missed payments, high debt, collections, defaults or other negative information.

Student and newcomer banking programs are primarily designed to address the first situation. Students with damaged Canadian credit may need a secured card or another credit-rebuilding product.

Best Credit Cards Without Canadian Credit History

1. RBC Credit Cards for International Students

Best straightforward international-student program

RBC states that eligible international students can apply for a credit card with a limit of up to C$2,000 without Canadian credit history. Available choices can include cashback, rewards and no-annual-fee cards. The actual card and limit remain subject to RBC’s eligibility assessment.

Possible options include:

• RBC Cash Back Mastercard.
• RBC ION Visa.
• Other eligible student cards recommended by RBC.

Students may need:

• Proof of international-student status.
• A valid study permit.
• A Canadian residential address.
• Identification documents.
• An RBC student banking relationship.

Best for: Newly arrived students who want a basic card with a manageable limit.

Main limitation: The C$2,000 figure is a maximum under the student offer, not a guaranteed starting limit.

2. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students

Best potential credit limit

Scotiabank’s StartRight program says eligible international students may obtain a no-annual-fee Scene+ Visa card with a limit of up to C$5,000 without Canadian credit history. The card earns Scene+ points on eligible purchases, including enhanced points at participating grocery and retail partners.

Scotiabank also confirms that it accepts applications from newcomers without Canadian credit history. The approved credit amount may depend on immigration status, income and other financial information.

A Scotiabank advisor may ask for:

• Passport.
• Study permit.
• Proof of enrolment.
• Canadian address.
• Financial or income information.

Best for: Students who want rewards and the possibility of a higher starting limit.

Main limitation: A limit of up to C$5,000 does not mean every student will receive that amount.

3. CIBC Student Credit Cards

Best selection of no-annual-fee cards

CIBC states that students can obtain Canadian credit cards even when they have no previous credit history. Its student range includes no-annual-fee cashback and travel-rewards cards.

Popular options include:

• CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students.
• CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students.
• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students.

CIBC also markets newcomer credit cards that may not require a Canadian credit history or a security deposit, subject to its approval criteria.

Best for: Students who want to choose between cashback, Aventura points and Aeroplan rewards.

Main limitation: No previous credit history is required for eligible products, but CIBC can still assess your finances and approve a lower limit.

4. BMO Student CashBack Mastercard

Best for everyday cashback

BMO offers a no-annual-fee Student CashBack Mastercard designed to help students begin building Canadian credit while earning cashback on eligible everyday purchases.

BMO also states that newcomers may apply for an unsecured credit card with a limit of up to C$5,000 without established Canadian credit history. International students should apply through the appropriate BMO student or newcomer channel rather than assuming the standard online requirements apply.

Best for: Students who prefer cashback on groceries, bills and regular purchases.

Main limitation: The card remains subject to identity, status and financial checks.

5. TD Credit Cards for International Students

Best newcomer banking package

TD’s international-student package states that eligible students may get a credit card without Canadian credit history. Its broader New to Canada package currently advertises possible limits of up to C$15,000, subject to status, banking relationship and TD’s assessment.

TD student card choices can include:

• TD Cash Back Visa.
• TD Rewards Visa.
• Other eligible cards presented during the application.

A student should not expect the maximum newcomer limit. Someone with no income or only a short Canadian banking record may receive a much smaller limit.

Best for: Students who want to combine their chequing account and first credit card with one bank.

Main limitation: Eligibility and limits vary considerably according to the applicant’s circumstances.

What Documents Do International Students Need?

Banks may request:

1. Identity
   • Valid passport.
   • Date of birth.
   • Secondary identification where required.
2. Immigration status
   • Valid Canadian study permit.
   • Proof that the permit will remain valid for the bank’s required period.
3. Study documents
   • University or college enrolment confirmation.
   • Student identification.
   • Expected graduation date.
4. Canadian information
   • Residential address.
   • Canadian phone number.
   • Bank-account details.
   • Social Insurance Number when requested and available.
5. Financial information
   • Employment income.
   • Scholarship or sponsorship funding.
   • Regular family support.
   • Savings.
   • Monthly rent and living expenses.

You must also have reached the legal age of majority in your province or territory to become the primary cardholder.

Can Overseas Credit History Help?

Foreign credit history does not automatically become part of your Canadian credit report.

However, some banks may consider international information through special services. Scotiabank, for example, works with Nova Credit to let eligible newcomers transfer credit information from selected countries when requesting a higher limit.

You can also ask whether the bank will consider:

• Foreign bank statements.
• An existing relationship with the same international banking group.
• Proof of overseas income.
• An overseas credit report.
• Scholarship or sponsorship documents.

These documents may strengthen an application but do not replace the bank’s Canadian eligibility assessment.

What If an Unsecured Card Is Declined?

A secured credit card may be an alternative.

With a secured card:

• You provide a refundable security deposit.
• The deposit usually helps determine the available limit.
• You still receive monthly statements.
• You must repay purchases normally.
• The issuer may use the deposit if you do not repay the debt.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada specifically lists newcomers without Canadian credit history among the people who may consider secured credit cards.

Before paying a deposit, confirm that:

• The issuer is legitimate.
• The deposit is refundable.
• The card reports activity to Canadian credit bureaus.
• All annual, monthly and transaction fees are clearly disclosed.

How to Build Canadian Credit After Approval

Use your first card carefully:

• Make one or two planned purchases each month.
• Pay at least the minimum by every due date.
• Preferably pay the complete statement balance.
• Never exceed the credit limit.
• Avoid multiple card applications.
• Keep credit use below approximately 30% of the available limit when practical.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains that timely payments can improve your credit profile, while missed payments and excessive debt can lower it. It also recommends trying to use less than 30% of your available credit.

You can access your Canadian credit reports online for free through Equifax and TransUnion.

Final Answer

International students can get a credit card without local credit history in Canada. RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC, BMO and TD all provide student or newcomer pathways that may accept eligible applicants without an established Canadian credit file.

RBC offers a clear international-student pathway with limits of up to C$2,000, while Scotiabank advertises up to C$5,000 through StartRight. CIBC provides a broad selection of student cards, and BMO offers a useful cashback option.

Choose a no-annual-fee card with a modest limit, make only one application and pay the statement balance in full. The purpose of your first card should be to build a reliable Canadian repayment history—not to finance expenses you cannot afford.

Official Sources

• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada – Credit Report and Score Basics
• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada – Choosing a Credit Card
• RBC Banking for International Students
• Scotiabank StartRight for International Students
• CIBC Student Credit Cards
• BMO Banking for International Students
• TD Banking for International Students