Open a bank account in Canada

Offer valid from your country up to 90 days before you arrive in Canada and within 5 years of your arrival. 1
Fill out the secure online form.

The benefits of our offer for newcomers

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

Send international transfers online to 19 countries in the European Union, and more. $5.95 per transfer 4

Get legal information by speaking directly with a lawyer by telephone on a variety of everyday topics. 5 At no cost for 12 months

Get the offer for newcomers in just a few easy steps

Enjoy your bank account with no fixed monthly fee for up to 3 years* and other benefits with our offer. Consult the eligibility criteria and follow the steps below, based on your situation.

I’m still in my home country

Open an account online

Fill out a secure form from your home country in just 5 minutes up to 90 days before your arrival in Canada.

Receive a confirmation email

Get an appointment at a branch

I’m already in Canada

Open an account online

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

  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.

  More than just a bank account

  • Unlimited electronic transactions and Interac e-transfers; access to mortgages, auto loans 3 , business accounts, investment solutions and more.
    
  • Come visit us at one of our over 350 branches, or access one of our 2,800 ABMs across Canada. 6
    
  • Sign up for an eligible National Bank of Canada Mastercard credit card and enjoy mobile phone protection, cashback, extended warranties and more. 2
    
  • Access your funds abroad by making withdrawals at an ABM using our network partners around the world. 7
    
  • Start your self-directed investing journey with National Bank Direct Brokerage. We’re the first Canadian bank to offer 100% Canadian and U.S. stocks, options and ETFs at $0 commission.
    
  • Rest assured: your deposits with National Bank of Canada are protected by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC)

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

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

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

  A distinguished client experience

  89% of our clients who are new to Canada say that they recommend National Bank of Canada, mostly due to our distinguished service.

  Internal study on newcomers - 2023

  “We’re extremely happy with our choice! We met with other banks, but National Bank was the one that best fit our needs.”

  - Karen, newcomer - 2023 We got 4.85 stars for our service on PVTistes.net.

  Are you planning on studying in Canada?

  Our GICs for international students can potentially speed up your Student Direct Stream program application with the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

  Who’s the newcomer offer for?

  Permanent residents Temporary workers International students

  Talk to us about your projects in Canada

  Contact us by email

  Write to us with all the details of your request. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

  Chat with us

  Get quick help when you contact us through Facebook Messenger.

  We’re hiring!

  Are you a qualified worker immigrating to Canada? Join the National Bank of Canada team!

  Little details that matter

  Eligibility criteria

  • Be a newcomer 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 user of the account
  • The offer for newcomers is open to permanent residents, temporary workers and international students

  Details and conditions of the offer of no fixed monthly fee for up to 3 years

  Baseline savings of $334.92 over three years for the account

  Save a minimum of $334.92 over three years if you meet the following conditions:

  • Open a bank account online before arriving with our secure form or visit a branch upon arrival.
  • Sign up for our offer for newcomers

  Savings of $334.92 based on:

  • First year: no flat monthly fee (savings of $15.95/month for 12 months)
  • Second year: flat monthly fee of $7.98 instead of $15.95 (savings of $7.97/month for 12 months)
  • Third year: flat monthly fee of $11.96 instead of $15.95 (savings of $3.99/month for 12 months)

  To be eligible for savings, you must commit to keeping the account and package for a minimum of 36 months. You will receive no further discounts if the products are cancelled. The full flat monthly fee of $15.95 will be applied to your banking package from the fourth year. You’ll be able to browse our packages and choose the one that best suits your needs.

  ** Maximum savings of $574.20 over three years for the account

  Your savings will be $574.20 over 3 years with your newcomer’s banking package on a fixed monthly fee ($15.95/month x 36 months) if you meet the following conditions.

  1. Visit a branch and open a bank account.
     
  2. Sign up for our offer for newcomers.
  3. During the first year after signing up for the offer for newcomers to Canada:
     
     • Apply for and activate an eligible National Bank Mastercard personal credit card 2
       
     • Sign up to receive eStatements
  4. During the second and third years after signing up for the offer for newcomers to Canada:
     • Set up salary deposits to your National Bank account and have your pay deposited at least once a month; OR
     • Make at least two electronic bill payments from your National Bank account every month.

  To be eligible for this, you agree to maintain this account for a minimum of 36 months. You agree that there are no additional savings available from the moment you longer keep these products. You’ll pay the full fixed monthly fee of $15.95/month for your banking package starting in the fourth year after you sign up for the offer for newcomers. You’ll be able to browse our packages and choose the one that best suits your needs.

  Overall savings of up to $671.30 over 3 years

  You could enjoy a maximum overall savings of $671.30 over 3 years without the following fees being charged:

  • The flat monthly fee for the Newcomers to Canada package for 3 years ($15.95/month for 36 months)
  • The fee for your first order of cheques ($67.10/order)
  • Statements sent by mail free of charge for the first year ($30)

  Note on savings
  

  To enjoy the full savings, you must keep the products and services and carry out all required transactions for a minimum of 36 months unless otherwise indicated. If you fail to meet the conditions of the offer, your savings will be lower. Your savings will be lower if you do not order cheques and/or choose to not receive paper statements by mail for free the first year.

  If during a given month, you keep your bank account and banking package but do not keep all of the other products and services indicated or do not carry out all the required transactions (e.g. only one electronic bill payment per month instead of two), you will be charged National Bank's service fee for that month. The service fee will be $7.98 monthly for the second year and $11.96 for the third. You will still enjoy monthly savings of $7.97 during the second year and $3.99 during the third.

  Finally, if you no longer hold a bank account or banking package for newcomers, you will no longer be eligible for savings.