The short answer: two credit-card paths exist for newcomers in Canada in 2026 — newcomer programs from the Big 6 banks (unsecured, no Canadian credit needed, but conditional on opening a chequing account) and secured cards from Capital One, Home Trust, and Neo (deposit-backed, available even with no SIN at some issuers). Get one of each in your first 90 days. Pay in full monthly. By month 12 you'll have a usable Canadian credit score.

The single biggest mistake newcomers make is waiting "until they have credit" to apply for a credit card. You build credit by using credit. Here are the actual products that approve newcomers in 2026, the order to apply for them, and what to avoid.

Path 1: Big 6 Newcomer Cards (Unsecured)

Every Big 6 bank has a newcomer settlement program that includes an unsecured credit card. Approval doesn't require Canadian credit history but does require opening a chequing account at the same bank. You typically need a SIN by the time the card is issued, but the application can start before.

Limits are determined case-by-case. Higher initial limits are typical for skilled-worker permits with proof of employment income.

Path 2: Secured Credit Cards (Anyone Approved)

If a bank declines your newcomer application — or you don't want to commit to one bank's chequing account — secured cards are the universal backup. Approval is essentially guaranteed because your deposit is the limit.

The 90-Day Plan

Day 1–7

• Open a Big 6 chequing account through a newcomer program.
• Apply for the bundled credit card at the same time.
• Apply for SIN at any Service Canada office.

Day 8–30

• If newcomer card is approved, activate it. Use it for 1 small purchase.
• If declined or pending: apply for Home Trust Secured Visa or Neo Secured.
• Add SIN to your bank profile so the card reports to the bureau correctly.

Day 31–90

• Use the card for everyday spending (groceries, transit, phone bill).
• Pay the full statement balance on or before the due date — every month, no exceptions.
• Keep utilization below 30% of the limit at statement close (under 10% is even better).
• After 90 days, check your credit score for free at Borrowell or Credit Karma.

What To Avoid

• Prepaid "credit-builder" cards. Most don't report to the bureaus, so they don't actually build credit.
• Carrying a balance. A myth: you do not need to carry interest charges to build credit. Pay in full every month.
• Applying for 3+ cards in the first 6 months. Each application creates a hard inquiry. Two cards is the right number.
• High-fee newcomer cards from sketchy issuers. Annual fees over $99 with no rewards are a trap. Stick to the table above.
• Closing your first card after 12 months. Keep your oldest card open — average account age matters for your score.

Tools That Help

See the full Credit Card Comparison to filter by annual fee and rewards once you have a usable score. Newcomers should also read building credit in Canada for the utilization, reporting, and timeline rules. To pair this with a chequing account, see Best Bank for Newcomers and student banking.

For the official banking-rights overview at Canadian banks, see the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Credit Cards.