Review Scotiabank StartRight: signup bonus, free period, and credit-card access without Canadian credit history.
Scotiabank Canada Newcomers — Scotiabank StartRight Program (2026)
Free guide
Updated April 2026
Newcomer banking
Credit card · no Canadian credit needed
Scotiabank StartRight is widely considered the easiest newcomer credit-card approval in the Big Six. You get 12 months free Preferred Package chequing, free international money transfers, and an unsecured Scotia credit card with no Canadian credit history required.
Scotiabank StartRight Program — at a glance
Signup bonus
Up to $350 cash + 20,000 Scene+ points
Free period
12 months free Scotiabank Preferred Package
After free period
$16.95/mo (or downgrade to Basic Plan $3.95)
Branch network
~950 branches and 3,500+ ABMs (also free at Tangerine, owned by Scotiabank)
Open from abroad?
Yes — apply before arriving
Eligibility
Permanent residents, foreign workers, and international students within their first 3 years in Canada.
Scotiabank credit card for newcomers — no Canadian credit history?
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa or Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa — both available without Canadian credit history. Scotia is widely considered the easiest Big Six approval for newcomer credit cards.
You technically don't need a SIN to open the account either — federal regulations only require two pieces of valid ID (passport plus work or study permit is enough). You'll add your SIN later for tax-slip reporting (T5 / T3), but it's not a barrier to getting the account or the credit card on day one. For the full breakdown of newcomer cards across all Big Six banks, see our guide to credit cards for newcomers without a SIN.
What Scotiabank StartRight Program actually gives you
Easiest unsecured credit-card approval in the Big Six for newcomers
Free international money transfers — typically 6 free per year via Scotia International Money Transfer
Multi-currency USD/CAD account available
Free unlimited Interac e-Transfers during the 12-month promotional period
Free ABM access at 3,500+ Scotiabank machines plus all Tangerine ATMs (same parent)
Honest tradeoffs
Account flips to $16.95/month on day 366 unless you downgrade or close
$475 tier (highest advertised) requires combining with a Scotia mortgage
How to open Scotiabank StartRight Program
Start the application online from your home country at the official Scotiabank newcomer page. You'll need your passport, immigration document number, and a Canadian destination address (a friend's place, a hotel, or your Airbnb works).
Within 90 days of arriving in Canada, visit a Scotiabank branch with two pieces of valid ID to verify in person and pick up your debit card.
Apply for the Scotiabank newcomer credit card during the same branch appointment — most newcomers don't realize this is a separate application, so ask the account opener to start it the same day.
Set up direct deposit and at least two pre-authorized bill payments within the first 90 days to trigger the full welcome bonus.
Set a calendar reminder for month 11 — the account typically flips to $16.95 once the promotional period ends. Either downgrade in branch or move your direct deposit to a no-fee bank like EQ Bank or Tangerine.
Compare Scotiabank to other Canadian newcomer programs
For a full side-by-side of all 11 newcomer accounts (Big Six plus EQ Bank, Tangerine, Simplii, Wealthsimple, and Neo), see our pillar guide to the best banks for newcomers to Canada in 2026. If you're earlier in the journey, the newcomer financial checklist walks through bank, SIN, credit, and tax setup in order.
FAQ
Verified 2026-04-19 against Scotiabank's official newcomer landing page · No affiliate relationship · Confirm current promotional terms directly with the bank before applying.