Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada
If you’ve just arrived in Canada, building credit is probably near the top of your to-do list.
The catch: you typically need an established credit history to get a credit card.
That’s where newcomer-friendly cards — both secured and unsecured cards — come in.
NerdWallet Canada’s editorial team reviewed hundreds of credit cards to find the best newcomer-friendly options and select our top picks for 2025.
Quick Compare: Great newcomer-friendly options
| Card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro offer | Rewards rate | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card | APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on Scotiabank's website | 5.0/5 | $150 | Up to 60,000 Points | 1x-3x Points | |
| CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card | |||||
 | 4.7/5 | $139 Waived first year | Up to 45,000 Points | 1x-2x Points | |
| BMO CashBack® Mastercard®* | APPLY NOW on BMO's website | ||||
 APPLY NOW on BMO's website | 4.5/5 | $0 | Up to 5% cash back | 0.5%-3% | |
NerdWallet Canada's Top Picks for 2025
Best newcomer credit cards for 2025
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining purchases, entertainment purchases, and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeA competitive travel card that earns up to 3x Scene+ points on everyday purchases, and comes with six complimentary airport lounge visits and no foreign transaction fees. While you can earn accelerated points (3x) on travel purchases, they must be made through the Scene+ Travel platform, which may feel limiting for some users. Best for: Frequent travellers who shop regularly at Scene+ partner grocery stores, spend big abroad and are looking for airport lounge access.
Pros
- Free airport lounge membership and six free visits per year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Free Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- An above-average $150 annual fee for a travel card.
- Top earn rate (3x on groceries) only applies to Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
- Must book through Scene+ Travel platform to earn 3x points on travel.
Card details
Card details- Earn up to $1,500 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 60,000 bonus Scene+ points¹
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
- 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee.
- 6 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access.
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services.
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection.
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program.
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Jan 2, 2026. Subject to change.
- *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.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownNerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeWith no annual fee and an intuitive rewards program, the CIBC Adapta Mastercard is a practical choice for cardholders with fluctuating spending habits. Adapta points can be redeemed for cashback, but when compared to other no-fee cash-back options, this card’s 1% cash-back rate isn’t hugely competitive. Best for: Those who want a no-fee, set-and-forget earn structure with straightforward, cash-style redemptions.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Flexible earn rates that are automatically applied to your top spending categories monthly.
Cons
- Less competitive earn rates than other no-fee cashback cards.
Card details
Card details- Welcome Offer: Join and get up to $100 in value† with no annual fee.† Here’s how it adds up–
- Receive a Welcome Bonus of 3,000 Adapta points after your first purchase (up to $25 value)†
- Get 3,000 Adapta points when you spend $1,000 in the first 4 monthly statement periods (up to $25 value)†
- Includes membership to Roadside Assistance† after you make your first purchase. Services include battery boosting, gas delivery, towing and more, offered by Dominion Automobile Association ($50 value)†
- How do Adapta points work? Each month, you’ll automatically earn–
- 1.5 Adapta points for every dollar you spend in your top 3 spend categories.†
- 1 Adapta point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.†
- What are Adapta points worth? 1,500 Adapta points are worth $10 when applied to your credit card balance or a recent purchase.† 1,200 Adapta points are worth $10 when used toward an eligible CIBC financial product.†
- Save over $600 with CIBC and Skip – Get a 12-month Skip+ free trial and other exclusive benefits when you link your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Skip.†
- Save on gas with CIBC and Journie Rewards – Link and use your CIBC Adapta Mastercard with Journie Rewards to save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
- CIBC may approve your application, but you are not eligible to receive this Offer if you have opened, transferred or cancelled another Adapta card within the last 12 months.†
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. Select Apply Now to learn more.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCash back on every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
Cash back on every $1 you spend on gas purchases, daily transit purchases, and food delivery.
Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeYou can earn a lot of cash back with this card if you max out the spending categories — for example, get up to $1,000 back each year when you spend $25,000 on groceries and recurring payments. The catch: Cash back is only deposited into your account once a year, in November, and the $120 annual fee is higher-than-average for a cash-back card. Best for: Big spenders on groceries and gas who don’t mind reaping their rewards annually.
Pros
- High 4% cash-back rate on groceries.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage included.
Cons
- Can only redeem cash back once a year.
Card details
Card details- Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).¹
- No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards.¹
- 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
- 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
- New! 2% Cash Back on Food delivery
- New! Cash Back Anytime feature: Redeem your Cash Back anytime ($25.00 minimum required) instead of having to wait for an annual payout in November.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance & New Mobile Device Insurance coverage
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of October 31, 2025. Subject to change.
- *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.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownCash back for your first 3 months on up to $500 spend on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments.
Cash back on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
Cash back on eligible gas purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible grocery purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible drugstore purchases (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on eligible pre-authorized payments (up to $15,000 per year†).
Cash back on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeWith no annual fee, no fees on global money transfers and up to 4% back on purchases, this card offers solid rewards for people on a budget. But the top cash-back rate of 4% on restaurants, bars and coffee shops is capped at $5,000 a year, which may be too restrictive for people who spend big on dining out. Best for: Foodies who send money overseas and don’t want to pay an annual fee.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 4% back on restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
- Get cash back on fee-free global money transfers.
Cons
- Low 0.5% cash-back base rate.
- No complimentary travel insurance.
Card details
Card details- Earn 20% cashback† for your first 3 months on up to $500 spend on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments.
- Earn 4% on eligible restaurant, bar and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spend per year†.
- Earn 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments, up to $15,000 per year†.
- Earn 0.5% on all other credit card purchases with no limit on how much you can earn†.
- Redeem cash back as a statement credit in December.†
- No annual fee.
- Cash back when you send money abroad with a Simplii Financial Global Money Transfer. No transaction fees and no interest charges.†
- Purchase security and extended protection insurance provided.†
- Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases‡, 22.99% for cash advances‡.
- To be eligible, a $15,000 (individual/household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident (excluding Quebec) that is the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. Banking services are not available in Quebec.
- ‡ “Purchase” means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. “Cash” means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.
Methodology
BACK TO TOPNewcomer’s guide to Canadian credit cards
What to know about newcomer credit cards
Credit history generally doesn’t transfer across borders. In Canada, a good credit score can help you rent a home, secure a loan (e.g., a mortgage), or qualify for premium credit cards with top-tier perks.
If you’re a newcomer, getting a credit card can help you build up a credit file from scratch — something that lenders, landlords and some employers may review.
Types of newcomer credit cards
Credit cards for newcomers typically come in a two forms:
Secured cards require a refundable cash deposit; your credit limit typically matches your deposit (subject to issuer minimums/maximums).
Unsecured newcomer cards are traditional credit cards tied to a newcomer program or marketed to newcomers. Eligibility may weigh factors like income, banking relationship and immigration status rather than deep Canadian credit history.
Prepaid cards can also be useful for everyday spending and budgeting, but they usually don’t help build credit.
Credit limits and deposits
Secured: Your deposit sets the limit, within the issuer’s range. The issuer may set a maximum deposit, such as $10,000.
Unsecured: Starting limits are often modest (such as $5,000) and can increase with on-time payments and income verification, depending on the issue,
Application timing and requirements
You typically need to be in Canada with a valid residential address before applying. When you’re ready, expect to provide ID and immigration documents (e.g., PR confirmation, work or study permit) and sometimes a Social Insurance Number to verify identity and report to credit bureaus.
Some banks may require you to open a newcomer chequing account before applying — especially for unsecured options tied to a newcomer banking package.
Other eligibility factors
You may need to prove newcomer status — for example, permanent resident status within the last five years. Foreign workers may need a work permit that’s valid for at least 12 months.
Issuers may also consider income, employment or offer letter, housing costs, age, and other factors.
How to build credit with a newcomers credit card
Here are a few quick tips for building your credit with a credit card:
Pay on time (ideally in full). Avoiding interest and missed payments drives the strongest signals.
Keep balances low. Aim to use ~30% or less of your limit (lower is better).
Apply thoughtfully. Too many applications in a short span can hurt approval odds; start with one card you can manage.
Automate what you can. Set up autopay to skip missed due dates.
Consider other reported bills. Some phone/internet providers report payment activity; on-time payments help, missed ones hurt.
Build your banking relationship. If a bank requires a chequing account for newcomers, use it responsibly — consistent history can support future credit-line increases or upgrades.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell
Beth Buczynski