The best bank for newcomers to Canada

Are you new to Canada? Take advantage of an account with no fixed monthly fees for 3 years.1

Open an account online

Named by MoneySense in 2023.


Your offer for newcomers

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Bank account

Open an account with no fixed monthly fee for up to 3 years.

Save up to $574.20**

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Mastercard® credit card

Get settled in Canada with help from a National Bank of Canada Mastercard credit card with no credit history.2,3

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International transfers

Send international transfers online to 19 countries in the European Union, and more. 

$5.95 per transfer4

Intermediary bank or beneficiary fees may apply.

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Legal support service

Get legal information by speaking directly with a lawyer by telephone on a variety of topics such as immigration, housing, and marriage.5

At no cost for 12 months

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Paper statements by mail

Receive your bank statements by mail with no fees for the first year.

You’ll save $30

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Ordering cheques

Get your first order of cheques free.

You’ll save $67.10

2023

National Bank of Canada has been named the Best Bank for Newcomers to Canada for 2023 by MoneySense.

2023

National Bank® of Canada mycreditTM Mastercard® credit card was named the best credit card for newcomers by Milesopedia in 2023.

Get the offer in just a few easy steps

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Open an account online

You’ll need:

  • A Canadian phone number 
  • One of the following documents: 
    • A valid and eligible passport from a country other than Canada 
    • A Canadian permanent resident card 
    • A Canadian driver's licence 
    • A provincial or federal identification card (excluding Quebec) 
    • A Quebec Health Insurance Card - new version
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Receive a confirmation email

Within a couple of days of your request, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your account information. You’ll then receive your debit card in the mail.

Make it happen in Canada with these practical tips

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Canadian immigration guide

Take advantage of a complete guide to life and finance in Canada to accompany you every step of the way.

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Even more resources

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.

More than just a bank account

Discover our offer for newcomers

2 min 16    Transcript

Talk to us about your projects in Canada

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Contact us on Messenger

Send us your questions on Facebook Messenger. We’ll answer them from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) on weekends and holidays.

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Take advantage of the offer

Complete the application form with a Canadian phone number, and a valid and eligible foreign passport, or a Canadian permanent resident card.

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Need more information?

Check out our Help centre to find the information you’re looking for.

Little details that matter

  • Be a newcomer and at least 18 years of age or older
  • Apply to open an account from your home country up to 90 days before you arrive in Canada, or within 5 years of your arrival
  • Be the only account user
  • The offer for newcomers is open to permanent residents, temporary workers and international students

Download and read the details of our offer for newcomers in one of the following languages.

English
French
Spanish
Arabic
Punjabi
Chinese

TM National Bank Assistance Network is a trademark of National Bank of Canada, used under licence by authorized third parties.

® Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Authorized user: National Bank.

®THE EXCHANGE and Accel are registered trademarks of Fiserv Inc.

®CIRRUS is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Authorized user: National Bank. 

®Allpoint is a registered trademark of ATM National LLC.

National Bank of Canada is not a licensed bank in France or other countries outside of Canada.

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.