Earn up to $2,200 in value in the first year*

Join the StartRight™ Program designed for newcomers.

StartRight ™ Program offer for newcomers

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Earn up to $700 when you bundle an eligible banking package, savings account, and registered account.1

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No monthly account fees on a Preferred Package chequing account for the first year2a value of $203.40.*

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Apply for a Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite** credit card and earn up to $1,350 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points.6  

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Unlimited no-fee8 international money transfers – an average savings of $280 compared to in-branch Swift wire transfers.*

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Get 10 free equity trades when you invest a minimum of $1,000 in a new Scotia iTRADE® account9 – a value of $99.90.* Use code SRPE15.

Get up to a $15,000 credit limit on an unsecured credit card

As a newcomer, choose from a variety of credit cards and start building your credit history in Canada with the Scotiabank StartRight® Program – even without a credit history10.

Explore our cards

What documents do you need to open an account?

If you’re a permanent resident, you need:

  • Your permanent resident card or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document
  • One additional piece of Canadian government-issued photo ID, like your driver’s licence

You can also apply for a credit card with these documents as well. 

If you're a foreign worker, you need:

  • Your work permit
  • One additional piece of Canadian government-issued photo ID, like your driver’s license

To apply for a credit card, you’ll need these documents, and a letter from your employer in Canada that states your annual income.

Featured credit cards

TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

Earn up to $1,350+Δ in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+TM points.

Earn 3 Scene+ points1 on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops and more.

 

Annual fee: $150

Interest rates: 20.99% purchases / 22.99% cash advances

NO ANNUAL FEE

Scotia Momentum® No-Fee Visa* Card

Earn 5% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).2 

Plus, get a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months (2% fee per cash advance, 22.99% after that; annual fee $0).2

 

Annual fee: $0

Interest rates: 19.99% purchases / 22.99% cash advances

SCENE+

Scotiabank® Scene+TM Visa* Card

Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months.2

Earn 2 Scene+ points4 on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo and more.

Earn 2 Scene+ points4 on every $1 you spend at Home Hardware.

Annual fee: $0

Interest rates: 20.99% purchases / 22.99% cash advances

STUDENT

Scotiabank® Scene+TM Visa* Card (for students)

Earn up to 5,000 bonus Scene+ points within your first 3 months.2

Earn 2 Scene+ points4 on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo and more.

Earn 2 Scene+ points4 on every $1 you spend at Home Hardware.

Annual fee: $0

Interest rates: 20.99% purchases / 22.99% cash advances

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Mortgages

A specially designed program to meet your mortgage needs and help you in obtaining your first home in Canada. Learn more about this program. Click here for Temporary residents

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Money Master Savings Account

Saving was never this easy. Effortlessly build your balance with our smart savings tools, Pay Yourself First and Savings Finder. Set a target for how much you want to save and we’ll automatically move small amounts when it appears you can afford it from your eligible chequing account to your  Money Master Savings Account.11,12

Best Banking Offer for Newcomers awarded by Ratehub.ca±

Reasons to love Scotiabank

Through ScotiaRISE™, we provide support to partners whose programs help people have the chance to reach their full potential, including helping newcomers feel at home faster

Personalized support at the branch and in the language that’s most comfortable to you

Looking for valuable advice?

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We’re here to help, ask us anything

The StartRight™ team is here to support you. Call, email or book an appointment today.

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More advice on all things Canadian

Find more personal stories, articles, and resources to help you settle in sooner.