WELCOME TO CANADA
Settle in with confidence with a bank account at $0/month1 for up to 3 years, free2 legal support, and more.
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It's fast, simple, and secure.
That’s not all:
To take advantage of your newcomer bank account at $0/month 1 (no fixed fees) for up to 3 years and other exclusive benefits, follow the steps below based on your situation.
You’re eligible to open a newcomer bank account if you:
Open your account online
If you've arrived in Canada in the past 5 years, fill out our online application form in less than 5 minutes.
Receive your debit card and enjoy your benefits
Once your account is open, you’ll receive an email with your account information. Your debit card will then be mailed to you.
Fill out our online form
It’s quick and secure. In just 5 minutes, complete the first step of opening your account. You can do this now and up to 90 days before your arrival in Canada.
Check your email
Within a few days, you’ll receive an email confirming your request. Keep it in a safe place.
Once your account is open, you can transfer money to it and start using it when you arrive.
Make an appointment when you arrive
Once in Canada, simply book an appointment at a branch to finalize the opening of your account and receive your debit card.
Need a credit card?
Good news — all our Mastercard® credit cards are available without credit history, subject to approval. Already have a bank account with us? Your application will be processed even faster.
Year 1
Get started with no monthly fees
As soon as you arrive, enjoy all the benefits we offer, without any fixed monthly fees.1
Years 2 and 3
Keep your account free by meeting certain conditions*
Maintain a minimum daily balance of $4,500 in your account
OR
Sign up for the following three products and services:
Year 4
Automatically switch to The Connected
After your newcomer offer ends, your account
automatically switches to The
Connected® package, which lets you reduce or
even eliminate your monthly fees.
Get a Mastercard® credit card, even if you don't have a credit history 9. Simplify your everyday payments and start building your credit score.
Get financing for your first home in Canada 9 with flexible repayment options, even with no credit history.
Invest with confidence through National Bank Direct Brokerage (NBDB). Take advantage of $0 commission on online stock and ETF trades 10 and no annual administrative fees.
Take advantage of a complete guide to life and finance in Canada to accompany you every step of the way.
To ease your transition, we’ve put together a series of articles to answer the most common questions newcomers have about housing, employment, finances and more.
A good start makes all the difference
Don’t miss out on the benefits of a newcomer account. Start saving today.
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If you are already in Canada
To complete the online application form, you will need:
If you are still in your home country and will be arriving in Canada in less than 90 days
No documents are required to complete your online form.
Three levels of savings possible on your newcomer bank account
1. Baseline savings of $334.92 over three years for the account
You’ll save if you meet the following conditions:
Savings are based on:
2. Maximum savings on the account: $574.20 over 3 years
OR
Sign up for the following three products and services before the end of the first year and maintain them until the end of the special offer:
3. Maximum total savings of the offer: $683.30 over 3 years
To reach these savings, you must meet all the conditions for maximum savings on the account (above) and take advantage of the following services:
Please note:
At the end of the third year, the Newcomer Package will automatically be migrated to The Connected® package, along with any applicable benefits. No action is required on your part. You can also browse all our packages to find the one that best suits your needs.
At National Bank of Canada, we are committed to guiding you as you settle in your new country.
Did you know? National Bank of Canada is one of the 6 largest banks in the country. It counts more than 360 branches all over Canada and more than 940 automated banking machines offering services in 6 different languages.
Our objective? To make banking easier when you arrive in Canada.
We support you before and after your arrival.
Before your arrival: first, open your account online in just a few clicks! Then, we’ll schedule an appointment to complete the process together at a branch when you arrive.
Need to transfer money? You can do it from your home country to your new bank account before you leave.
Already in Canada? Open your bank account in a few minutes entirely online! Or visit a branch and speak with an advisor.
Take advantage of a great offer for newcomers that includes up to 3 years of no fixed monthly fees. The offer is valid up to 5 years after your arrival.
In Canada, it’s important to build your credit history and we can help you achieve this by giving you access to a credit card.
Need to make an international transfer? Several options are available to you depending on the destination. Take advantage of our rates starting at $5.95 for certain countries.
Do you need to talk to a lawyer?
Get answers to your questions regarding immigration, housing, or employment with our legal assistance service, free of charge through our Assistance Network. This service is available 7 days a week for the first year.
Manage your finances with confidence in Canada.
In addition to our legal assistance service, a banking advisor will assist you as soon as you arrive to help you realize the projects you care about. Buying a car, buying a property, saving for retirement, saving for your children, and much more.
Our National Bank of Canada family wishes to give you real peace of mind by helping you manage your finances and build a life in Canada.
We are here to answer your questions.
® NATIONAL BANK and the NATIONAL BANK logo are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.
® World Elite and Mastercard are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Authorized user: National Bank
® Interac and Interac e-Transfer are registered trademarks of Interac Corp. Used under licence.
© National Bank of Canada, 2025. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of National Bank of Canada.
1. Our banking offer is available to newcomers from their home countries up to 90 days before arriving in Canada or at any point during your first 5 years in Canada. See the above terms and conditions of the offer for no fixed monthly fee for 3 years. The offer may be modified, extended or withdrawn, without prior notice, at any time. The offer may not be combined or used with any other National Bank offer, promotion or benefit. Fees may apply for transactions not included in the banking offer for newcomers. For more information on transaction fees, see our Guide to Personal Banking Solutions [PDF].
2. Telephone assistance service offered by FBA Solutions, valid for 12 months from your account opening date. The content of the packages and terms described are subject to change.
3. The Mastercard® and Interac ® international money transfer service may take 3 to 5 business days for funds to be deposited into the recipient’s account. The service costs $5.95 per transaction, regardless of the type of account you hold. It allows you to send money to the United States, India, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the following 19 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
4. Freight and taxes extra.
5. A fee of $2.50 per withdrawal, transfer, withdrawal for bill payments at the counter applies as of the 13th month.
6. The bank statement by mail is free of charge for the first 12 months following enrollment in the Offer for Newcomers. Starting on the 13th month, a fee of $3.50/month per account will be charged.
7. National Bank ABMs or ABMs in THE EXCHANGEᴹᴰ network. Use all our ABM features in six languages (French, English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi, and Arabic).
8. Locate CIRRUS, Maestro® and NYCE® ABMs and payment terminals with the logos on the back of your card. You can then use your debit card at these ABMs in the United States and around the world, including our network of partners Accel®, Cirrus® and Allpoint®. Administrative or exchange rate fees may apply.
9. Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
10. Applicable to online brokerage transactions for Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs. Other fees may apply.
