13 Best Credit Cards for International Students in Canada in 2024

There are many credit cards for students in Canada, and international students can apply for several of these.

International students often need access to credit, and credit cards provide a simple and convenient way to access it even if they are not Canadian nationals.

In this guide, I’ll cover 13 of the best international student credit cards, the pros and cons, how to choose the right credit card, and more.

Best Credit Cards for International Students

Following is my list of 13 of the best credit cards for international students in Canada. Review the details and choose the right card for your situation.

1. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card for Students

The main benefit of this Scotiabank student credit card is the ability to earn Scene+ points. You can earn 2x points at selected grocery stores and Cineplex and one point for every $1 spent on everything else. It has a $0 annual fee, and you can also save on car rentals.

2. Neo Card

Earn unlimited cashback with this Mastercard from Neo. You will earn an average of 5% when you shop at partner stores. If you don’t qualify for a regular credit card, you can also apply for the Neo Secured Credit card.

3. Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card

Earn unlimited cashback with this card, which has no annual fee. You’ll earn up to 4% at eligible bars, restaurants, and coffee shops with a limit of $5,000, 1.5% at drugstores, groceries, and gas with a limit of $15,000, and 0.5% unlimited cashback on everything else.

4. RBC ION Visa Credit Card

There is no annual fee to use this RBC student credit card, and extra cards are free too. In addition, you can earn 1.5x Avion reward points for every $1 you spend on gas, transit, groceries, and streaming services, and one point for everything else.

5. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

You can earn cashback on your purchases with the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card. It offers 2% cash back in two categories of your choice, like gas, and earns 0.5% on everything else. Any cashback you earn is paid out monthly.

6. PC Financial Mastercard

This card has no annual fee, and you can earn PC Optimum points on every purchase you make. You earn 10 points for every $1 you spend and earn more at selected merchants like Shoppers Drug Mart. It is easy to redeem these points for free products and groceries.

7. BMO CashBack Mastercard for Students

This BMO student credit card is one of the best available. It’s an award-winning credit card with no annual fees, and you earn a minimum of 0.5% cashback and up to 3% on groceries and 1% on streaming services and other recurring bills. It also comes with other perks, including savings on car rentals.

8. CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students

There is no minimum income requirement and no annual fee to use this CIBC student credit card, and you can get up to three additional cards free. You can also earn unlimited cashback with 2% on groceries, 1% on other categories, including gas, transportation, dining, vehicle charging, and recurring payments, and 0.5% on everything else.

9. Neo Secured Card

Secured credit cards can be a good option for international students, and the Neo Secured Card is one of the best. It has guaranteed approval, no hard credit check, and it’s free to use. You can also earn unlimited cashback at up to 5%.

10. BMO Air Miles Mastercard for Students

This card is a great option if you plan to travel much. It’s an award-winning card with no annual fee, and you will earn 3x Miles for every $25 spent at partners and 2x Miles at eligible grocery stores. You can then redeem Miles for discounts as well as booking flights, hotels, and more.

11. KOHO Easy Prepaid Mastercard

Earn 1% cash back on groceries and transportation with the KOHO Mastercard. It’s free to use, and you also get a free savings account and mobile app. You can subscribe to their credit-building add-on for $10 monthly.

12. TD Rewards Visa Card

There’s no annual fee to use this TD student credit card, and you can earn TD Rewards Points with it too, which you can redeem for discounts at lots of places like Starbucks. You’ll also get mobile device insurance, and you can book travel at Expedia For TD to maximize points.

13. Scotiabank American Express Card

The Scotiabank American Express Card has no annual fee, and you can use it to earn Scene+ points. You’ll get 3x points for every $1 you spend on groceries, 2x points on dining, entertainment, gas, transit, and streaming, and one point for everything else. It’s then easy to redeem points for travel rewards and more.

Methodology

I’ve used several factors to determine which cards get onto this list of the best credit cards for international students in Canada. These include ease of application, the rewards provided, additional perks, interest rates, and costs, as well as my personal experience.

What is an International Student Credit Card?

International student credit cards are no different from student credit cards, but with these, you can apply for one even if you are an international student.

Student credit cards work in the same way as normal credit cards. You make purchases using your card and can spend up to the credit limit the issuer has given you.

At the end of the month, you pay off all or part of your balance. If any remains unpaid, you pay interest at the specified APR. They typically run on the Visa, Mastercard, or American Express networks, just like other credit cards.

The main difference is that international student credit cards are often more lenient when it comes to the application requirements.

When applying for a regular credit card, you will usually need a good credit score or to have a credit history, and there will often be a minimum income requirement, which can be quite high.

If you are applying as a student, you may not have any credit history or income – especially if you are moving to Canada from another country to study. As such, card issuers will not have strict income and credit score requirements.

Some international student cards are not specifically targeted at students. They are simply entry-level credit cards suitable for students and international students. So you don’t have to limit yourself to credit cards that are specifically called student cards.

There are also different types of international student credit cards, just as there are with regular credit cards. These include reward student credit cards, cashback student credit cards, low-interest student credit cards, and no-fee student credit cards.

How to Apply for a Credit Card as an International Student

If you are planning on studying in Canada and you want to apply for a credit card, the process is not too difficult.

But I should mention first that each credit card has its own specific requirements and application process.

Once you have chosen a suitable credit card and you know it is suitable for international students, you can often apply online. You will normally need to provide certain information during the application process.

This may include a valid Study Permit, a form of government-issued ID like your passport, a student ID or enrolment letter, and your Social Insurance Number (SIN). However, not all of these may be needed, depending on the bank.

You may also need to visit a bank branch to present this information and apply for a credit card.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive your credit card, and you can then activate it and start using it.

Pros and Cons of Credit Cards for International Students

Pros:

• Start building credit in Canada as a student, which can help if you plan to stay in the country after completing your studies.
• Earn rewards like cashback and discounts for spending on your card.
• Enjoy a safer and more convenient option than cash.
• Get immediate and convenient access to credit when you need it.

Cons:

• Perks and rewards are often not as good as those that come with premium credit cards.
• Not all credit cards are open to international students, and many have strict requirements, so there is less choice overall.
• The spending limits may be lower than with regular credit cards.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card as an International Student

As you can see from the list above, there are several options for credit cards for international students. So, how should you choose the right one?

Start by seeing if any stand out to you in particular. This may be because they have a lower interest rate, which could be useful if you think you will carry a balance.

You may be keen to use a cashback credit card so you can earn money as you spend. Or you may be interested in a travel rewards credit card if you plan on travelling back home or elsewhere frequently.

Once you have an idea in mind of what you want, look at the available cards and find out which you are eligible to apply for. For example, check whether there are any income requirements.

If you are eligible, check other details of the card, including the annual fee. International student cards are often more affordable than regular cards, but there may still be a fee to pay.

You may also be interested in the welcome bonuses. These change all the time, but if there is a card that meets your requirements and it has a good welcome bonus, this is certainly worth considering.

Look at the extra benefits as well. These could include perks like travel insurance, price protection, and more.

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