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2025's Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada

Are you searching for credit cards as a newcomer to Canada? We've shortlisted the best options for you.

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Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada

Settling in a new country can be an exciting, but challenging experience. Canada has some of the most lucrative credit card offers for newcomers to the country, who may be on the lookout for deals to save the last dollar. What’s better than finding the right credit card that helps you save while meeting all your needs? Here's our pick for the best credit card for newcomers to Canada in 2025.

  Top Features Annual Fee First-Year Value*  
No annual fee. A generous 5% cash back in the first 3 months. $0 $388
20,000 PC Optimum™ points after your first purchase (worth $20). 25 PC Optimum™ points earned for every $1 spent at Shoppers Drugmart and 10 points spent everywhere else. $0 $320
5x the BMO Rewards points for every $2 spent on groceries, dining and takeout, and recurring bills. Annual bonus points for responsible credit use. $0 $431

Winner: BMO CashBack® Mastercard®

The BMO CashBack® Mastercard® is the best newcomer card because of a generous welcome offer — 5% cash back in your first 3 months. Newcomers can also get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred. Users also get 3% cash back on grocery purchases, 1% on recurring bill payments, and 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases! There is zero annual fee and newcomers can enjoy the most cash back on groceries in Canada without paying an annual fee. As per our Best of Finance methodology, newcomers get a $388 first-year value.

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$100
+ Annual rewards
$288
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$388
BMO CashBack Mastercard®*

card image
Welcome bonus
$100
BMO Cash Back Rewards
Annual rewards
$288
BMO Cash Back Rewards
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases • 23.99% on cash advances
2025 Winner– Best Credit Card For Newcomers To Canada
Cash back rewards include the freedom to redeem anytime
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$100
Annual rewards
$288
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$100
+ Annual rewards
$288
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$388
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases
23.99 on cash advances
2025 Winner– Best Credit Card For Newcomers To Canada
Cash back rewards include the freedom to redeem anytime
Details at a glance Collapse details

Annual fee:

$0

Limited time offer:

  • Get 5% cash back in your first 3 months.
  • Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on Balance Transfers for 9 months, 2% fee applies to balance amounts transferred.

Offer expiry date: N/A

Rewards:

  • Get 3% cash back on grocery purchases,
  • 1% cash back on recurring bill payments, and
  • 0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases
  • Get Collision Damage Waiver benefits on rental cars, 8 days of Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical coverage of up to $5 million, and more.

For instance, if you spend $1000 on the card in the first month, you are eligible to get:

  • First Year Welcome Bonus = $90 cash back,
  • Total Cash Back Earned = $216 1st year
  • And other cash back rewards on grocery purchases, bill payments and all other purchases.

Runners-up: Best Credit Cards for Newcomers to Canada

PC® Mastercard®

The PC® Mastercard® is a great choice for people who regularly shop at Loblaws-affiliated stores, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh, and Esso/Mobil gas stations. With this card, you’ll earn points that never expire, giving you flexibility to use them whenever you’re ready. You can redeem your points for groceries, items at Joe Fresh, fuel at eligible gas stations, or for products on Shoppers Drug Mart’s online Beauty Boutique, which often has a wider selection of products than in stores. Cardholders also receive special weekly offers, making it easy to maximize the points you earn and get even more value from your everyday spending.

Annual fee:

$0

Special offer:

Enjoy 20,000 PC Optimum™ points on your first purchase with the card (value of $20).

Offer valid until:

Ongoing offer

Rewards:

PC Optimum™ points:

  • 25 points earned for every $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart
  • 20 points earned for every $1 spent on PC Travel
  • 10 points earned for every $1 spent on all other purchases

BMO eclipse rise Visa Card*

The BMO eclipse rise Visa Card* is a credit card that rewards you not only for spending but also for being financially responsible. You can earn points on fun stuff like dining out and ordering food delivery, but which you then can then use to pay off your credit card bill. The card also offers bonus points if you pay your statement on time every month for a full year. Plus, when you use the card to fill up your tank at Shell gas stations, you’ll save seven cents per litre, another way the card introduces saving into your everyday spending.

Spend $1,500 within the first three months of getting the BMO eclipse rise Visa, and you’ll earn 20,000 BMO Rewards points as a welcome bonus. If you have a balance on another credit card, you can transfer it and pay only 0.99% interest for the first nine months, with a 2% transfer fee, helping you tackle your debt at a lower cost. This offer is only available to first-time holders of the BMO eclipse rise Visa.

The card is relatively easy to qualify for—you just need a fair credit score (660+), be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and not have declared bankruptcy in the last seven years.

On top of that, the card offers an installment plan every two years. You can break down a big purchase (up to $1,000) and pay it off over 12 months, making it easier to manage your finances. It’s a card designed to help you build a solid financial foundation in Canada.

Annual fee:

$0

Limited time offer:

  • Spend $1,500 within the first three months of card-ownership to earn 20,000 BMO Rewards points.
  • Transfer a balance from another card and pay 0.99% interest for the first nine months (2% transfer fee applies).

Offer valid until:

Ongoing offer

Rewards:

5x the BMO Rewards points for every $2 spent on:

  • Groceries
  • Dining and takeout
  • Recurring Bill Payments

1 BMO Reward for every $2 spent on:

  • Everything else

Earn a bonus of up to 5,000 points per year:

  • Get 2,500 bonus points for paying your full credit card balance on time for 12 consecutive months.
  • Get another 2,500 bonus points for redeeming at least 12,000 points annually towards your statement balance with Pay with Points.

Get help with surprise expenses:

  • Access a BMO PaySmart plan every two years for purchases between $100 - $1,000.
  • Pay off your balance over the course of several months (up to 12 months) for a small monthly fee (not interest on the balance).

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