+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Which credit cards for newcomers?

zinneken

Full Member
Aug 6, 2013
44
1
Does anyone have a list of which non secured credit cards are available to newcomers in order to build a credit history? I have Scotiabank Momentum free through their startright program and RBC through their newcomers program. Does anyone know of other non secured + no credit check credit cards available to newcomers?
 

zinneken

Full Member
Aug 6, 2013
44
1
Sears = Chase = denied because not enough credit history. Claim to need at least one year before they'd approve their amazon card, so it'll be the same for Sears.
Hudson Bay = Capital one = they say (so I have not tried) newcomers need to get one of their secured credit cards for a while before they'd get an unsecured one.
Wallmart I don't know, haven't tried. Has any fresh newcomer applied at wallmart? What were the results?
I'd like to avoid a trial and error filling up my credit file and making it look bad. I'd like to get through various credit cards 15K in order to use probably about 500, just to build the credit score.
 

stimitak

Star Member
Feb 4, 2014
67
10
My wife started with canadian tire..200$..built history for 6 months..now she can get any card.
 

Jalex23

VIP Member
Apr 12, 2013
4,463
369
Calgary
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
NOC Code......
2171
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
05-09-2013
Doc's Request.
09-04-2014
AOR Received.
06-11-2013
Med's Request
05-04-2014
Med's Done....
20-05-2014
Passport Req..
07-07-2014
VISA ISSUED...
14-07-2014
LANDED..........
06-09-2014
zinneken said:
Does anyone have a list of which non secured credit cards are available to newcomers in order to build a credit history? I have Scotiabank Momentum free through their startright program and RBC through their newcomers program. Does anyone know of other non secured + no credit check credit cards available to newcomers?
Being newcomer is not a problem, the problem is your status.

Are you a PR? If so then any credit card would be easy to get.
Are you a student? If so then many banks have low-credit cards for them, around 1k credit.

If you are not then the way to go is a secured credit card.

15k of credit? o_O

You must be able to show income or a good credit score. I don't have 15k and I am a PR with a good income.... maybe I can get if I ask for it, but the default for my specifics doesn't top up to 15k.
 

siroccoon

Hero Member
Feb 20, 2013
234
14
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
NOC Code......
2171
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11-04-2013
AOR Received.
24-05-2013
Med's Request
19-03-2014
Med's Done....
31-03-2014
Passport Req..
24-04-2014
VISA ISSUED...
30-04-2014
LANDED..........
01-03-2015
RBC provides unsecured card with the limit of CAD$1000 along with newcomers package.
 

lawgrrl

Star Member
Jul 8, 2012
120
15
Nanaimo, B.C.
Visa Office......
CPP-O
App. Filed.......
10-10-2012
AOR Received.
11-14-2012
VISA ISSUED...
02-03-2013
LANDED..........
05-22-2013
Two tears ago, CIBC gave me a $500 unsecured Visa with their newcomer's package. Upped to $1000 and then $3000 very quickly. Starting amount may be higher now. Also, if you have an Amex card in your home country, Amex Canada will extend a new credit card without a Canadian credit history.