Can International Students Get a Credit Card in Canada?

Yes, international students can get a credit card in Canada.

You do not necessarily need an established Canadian credit history to qualify.

Some financial institutions offer student or newcomer credit cards specifically for people who are new to the country, while secured credit cards can provide another option if approval is difficult.

KOHO Credit Builder

KOHO Credit Builder helps Canadians establish or improve their credit history through consistent monthly payments, without relying on a traditional credit card.

With KOHO Credit Builder, you can:

• See an average credit score increase of 74 points*
• Get approved without a hard credit check or minimum deposit
• Pay no interest on the line of credit
• Track your credit score and credit report directly in the KOHO app
• Build credit history through monthly payments reported to the credit bureaus

Do International Students Need Canadian Credit History?

Not always.

International students often arrive in Canada without a Canadian credit file, so some financial institutions have programs designed for newcomers and students.

Instead of relying entirely on an existing credit score, the issuer may consider factors such as:

• Your immigration status
• Enrolment at a Canadian school
• Identification
• Canadian address
• Income or available funds
• Your relationship with the financial institution

Requirements vary between issuers.

What Do International Students Need to Apply?

You may be asked to provide:

• Passport
• Valid study permit
• Proof of enrolment
• Canadian address
• Canadian phone number
• Banking information
• Proof of income, if required

A financial institution may also ask for your Social Insurance Number, although requirements depend on the application and issuer.

Check the application requirements before applying.

What Type of Credit Card Can an International Student Get?

Several options may be available.

Student credit card

Student credit cards are designed for people enrolled in college or university.

They may have:

• Lower credit limits
• No annual fee
• Basic cash back or rewards
• Less demanding credit-history requirements

Eligibility still depends on the issuer.

Newcomer credit card

Some financial institutions have programs specifically for people who recently moved to Canada.

These programs may allow you to qualify without an established Canadian credit score.

Secured credit card

A secured credit card requires a security deposit.

For example, you might provide a $500 deposit and receive a card with a similar credit limit.

You still use the card like a regular credit card, and payment activity may be reported to the credit bureaus.

A secured card can be useful if you cannot qualify for an unsecured card.

Can You Get a Credit Card Without a Job?

Possibly.

Being unemployed does not automatically prevent an international student from qualifying.

Some issuers offer student cards without requiring traditional full-time employment.

However, the issuer still needs to determine whether you meet its eligibility requirements.

Income from part-time work, scholarships or other sources may be relevant depending on the application.

Can You Get a Credit Card Without a SIN?

It may be possible.

A SIN can help a financial institution verify your credit information, but whether it is required depends on the issuer and application process.

You will still need to provide acceptable identification and meet the card's eligibility requirements.

Do not provide your SIN to an unfamiliar website or person claiming they can guarantee credit approval.

How Can International Students Build Credit in Canada?

Getting approved is only the first step.

To build a positive Canadian credit history:

1. Pay your bills on time.
2. Keep your credit card balance manageable.
3. Try to keep credit utilization below 30%.
4. Avoid applying for several cards at once.
5. Keep older accounts open when they continue to suit your needs.
6. Check your credit report periodically for errors.

You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest to build credit.

Paying your statement balance in full by the due date can help you avoid purchase interest while still establishing payment history.

How Much of Your Credit Limit Should You Use?

Keeping your balance below 30% of your available credit is a commonly used guideline.

For example, if your credit limit is $1,000, try to keep your reported balance below approximately $300.

You do not need to spend heavily to build credit.

A few regular purchases followed by on-time payments can be enough to establish account activity.

How Long Does It Take to Build Credit as an International Student?

Building a meaningful Canadian credit history takes time.

You may begin generating credit information after several months of reported activity, but establishing a stronger profile can take much longer.

Consistency matters more than trying to increase your score quickly.

Keep accounts in good standing and avoid missed payments.

What if You Cannot Get Approved for a Credit Card?

If your application is declined, avoid immediately applying for several more cards.

Instead, consider:

• A secured credit card
• A newcomer banking program
• A credit-building product
• Waiting until you have more income or financial history

You can also ask the issuer why your application was declined.

Understanding the reason can help you decide what to improve before applying again.

Is a Prepaid Card the Same as a Credit Card?

No.

A prepaid card generally lets you spend money that you have already loaded onto the account.

A credit card allows you to borrow against an approved credit limit and repay the balance later.

Regular prepaid card spending generally does not build your credit history because you are not borrowing money.

If your goal is to establish Canadian credit, make sure the product you choose actually reports activity to a credit bureau.

Should International Students Get a Credit Card?

A credit card can be useful for establishing Canadian credit history, making online purchases and handling everyday expenses.

However, it should be treated as borrowed money rather than additional income.

Start with a manageable limit, pay your bills on time and avoid carrying debt you cannot afford to repay.

*Based on users with a starting score of 450 or under and who used all of our credit building tools (i.e. Credit Building, Secured Credit Building) for 12+ months with on time payments. Credit building tools we offer are not a credit repair tool and does not guarantee an improvement in credit score. Credit scores are based on complex models involving a variety of factors. Consistent on-time payments help improve scores and missed or late payments may cause credit scores to decrease. Outcomes may vary among users.