Best Low Income Credit Cards in Canada for 2024

What credit cards are best for low-income earners in Canada?

No one likes to start the application process for a credit card only to be denied shortly after because they do not meet the minimum income requirements.

While your credit score may look good, credit card issuers often set a personal or household income threshold you must meet to qualify.

You can avoid this hassle by applying for a credit card with low or no minimum income requirements.

This list of the easiest credit cards to get approved for includes entry-level and premium cards.

What is a Low Income Credit Card?

Some credit card networks and brands have a minimum income requirement by default, regardless of the bank issuing the card.

For example, a World Elite Mastercard requires a minimum personal income of $80,000 or $150,000 for a household.

If you opt for a Visa Infinite branded card, the minimum personal income requirement is $60,000 or $100,000 for household income.

Low-income credit cards have a much lower income threshold such that the average income earner or student can apply for them.

Generally, you are good to go with a $12,000 to $15,000 annual income. Some even have no income requirements.

What qualifies as income?

In addition to your paycheque, eligible income includes investments, retirement income (e.g. CPP and OAS), government benefits like the CCB, child support, rental income, and employment insurance.

Prepaid Cards With No Income Requirements

The best prepaid credit cards in Canada have no income requirements, and they are handy if you want to spend cash and earn rewards simultaneously.

The KOHO Prepaid Card earns up to 5% cash back on purchases and does not include a credit check.

You can reload your card anytime, and your balances earn a 5% interest rate. This makes KOHO both a great prepaid card as well as a high interest savings account.

New KOHO users who apply via our links get a $20 welcome bonus after completing at least one purchase using the card (use our referral code CASHBACK during signup).

You can also upgrade to a KOHO Premium account and pay $84 per year in fees while earning higher cash back rates (plus other premium perks).

Secured Credit Card With No Income Requirements

Best Low-Income Credit Cards in 2024

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is one of the best credit cards in Canada in several categories (travel rewards, no FX fees, and more).

While it is definitely a premium card, you can apply with a personal income as low as $12,000 per year.

It offers 5 points per $1 on eligible food and entertainment purchases, 3 points per $1 on gas and transit purchases, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

This card is one of a few credit cards to waive the 2.50% foreign currency transaction fees, and users enjoy comprehensive travel insurance benefits (8 types).

New cardholders also get 20,000 points ($200 value) after spending at least $1,000 in the first 3 months, and an extra 20,000 points when they spend $7,500 or more in the first year.

Apply for the Scotiabank Gold AMEX Card or read our review.

The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card has a minimum income requirement of $12,000/year.

Cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back on 2-3 categories of spending, including groceries, gas, restaurants, entertainment, and recurring bill payments.

On all other purchases outside of your chosen 2% categories, you earn 0.5%.

For a limited time, new users of the Tangerine Credit Card earn an extra 10% cash back when they spend up to $1,000 in the first 2 months. This promo offer is valued at $100 in real cash back.

This card has no annual fees so you don’t need to worry about paying a hefty fee, and you can take advantage of a low balance transfer rate in the first 6 months.

Apply for the Tangerine Credit Card or read our review.

The Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa is an entry-level credit card that is easy to qualify for. It offers 1% cash back on gas, grocery, drugstore purchases, and recurring bill payments.

All other purchases earn at a 0.50% rate.

New cardholders earn 5% cashback on all purchases in the first three months of account opening, and you can earn up to $100 from this alone.

This card has no annual fee, and a base income of $12,000 is all you need to qualify income-wise.

Apply for the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa or read our review.

The American Express Cobalt Card is one of the most prestigious credit cards in Canada, which makes it surprising that it has no income requirement.

It has a reward rate of 5 points per $1 on food and drink purchases, 3 points/$1 for streaming services, 2 points/$1 on transit and gas purchases, and 1 point/$1 on everything else. You can easily redeem your points to cover eligible purchases with your card.

Cardholders enjoy premium perks, including comprehensive travel insurance coverage, car rental insurance coverage, and more.

You earn a bonus of 15,000 points in the first year when you spend at least $750 each month for 12 months.

This card has a $12.99 monthly fee and will cost you a total of $155.88 per year which places it in the premium category.

Apply for the American Express Cobalt Card or read our review.

The SimplyCash Card from American Express is one of the best no-fee cash back credit cards in Canada.

Like the Amex Cobalt Card, it has no minimum income requirements.

Cardholders earn 2% cash back on gas and groceries ($300 annual cap) and 1.25% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

This card offers travel accident insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.

You can also opt for its premium version, the SimplyCash Preferred Card from AMEX, and earn up to a 4% cash back rate ($119.88 annual fee).

Read our review.

This MBNA credit card has no minimum income requirement.

You earn 2 points per dollar spent on grocery, restaurant, digital media, household utility, and membership purchases; and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.

Instead of 2 points per $1, new cardholders earn 4 points per dollar on eligible purchases in the first 90 days. You also get 5,000 bonus points after spending at least $500 in the first 90 days ($25 value).

This no-fee card offers a rare mobile device insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.

You can easily redeem your MBNA Rewards points for travel (100 points = $1) or cash (200 points = $1).

The PC Financial Mastercard is one of three credit cards offered by the President’s Choice Bank.

The other two are:

• PC Financial World Mastercard, and
• PC Financial World Elite Mastercard

The entry-level PC Financial Mastercard is a great card option if you regularly shop at Loblaws stores, including No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, and PC Express.

You earn PC Optimum points everywhere you use your card, including at Esso/Mobil gas stations and can redeem your points for free groceries.

Cardholders can also take advantage of a low balance transfer rate of 0.97% in the first 6 months.

This card has no annual fees or minimum income requirement and is a great student credit card.

Apply for the PC Financial Mastercard or read our review.

The BMO Cashback Mastercard qualifies as an excellent low-income or student credit card.

You earn 3% cash back on grocery purchases, 1% cash back on recurring bill payments, and 0.50% on everything else.

To qualify, a minimum income of $15,000 per year is required.

This card has no annual fees, and you can learn about its features in our detailed BMO Cashback Mastercard review.

What To Look For in a Low Income Credit Card

While low or no income requirement credit cards are easy to be approved for, you should watch out for the following:

• Interest Rates: Pay attention to how much interest you will be paying if you carry a balance from month to month or withdraw cash from an ATM. A low-interest credit card will save you money over time.
• Reward Rate: Whether it is real cash back or points you can redeem for travel, merchandise or a statement credit, make sure you are getting the best rewards available.
• Welcome Offer: Credit card promotions can be very rewarding and may even cover annual fees for a year or longer. Compare the welcome bonuses available and the eligibility requirements to qualify.
• Annual Fees: If you are not a heavy credit card user and don’t need travel insurance, paying a hefty annual fee may not be worth it. Take a look at the no-fee cards on this list.
• Income Requirements: Read the fine print to see whether you need a minimum income to qualify.

Benefits of a Low Income Requirement Credit Card

The main benefit of low income credit cards is that you don’t need to be a high earner to qualify. This makes it easy for students, newcomers to Canada, and those transitioning between jobs to qualify.

All the low income cards on our list offer rewards when you pay using the card.

Also, many of them offer insurance coverage and benefits that can be worth a lot when you actually need them. For example, comprehensive travel insurance coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, and more.

Downsides of a Low Income Credit Card

The perks you enjoy are limited if you carry a no-fee credit card. With premium or VIP benefits, you are probably going to pay annual fees.

This also applies to the level of rewards you earn, although it should be noted that the cash back rates offered by some of the cards above rival some premium cards.

A low income credit card may have higher interest rates and could cost you if you don’t pay off your balance every month.

Lastly, while a card may have no minimum income requirement, you may still need a good credit score to qualify unless it is a secured credit card.

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