Credit cards for newcomers to Canada
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Explore ATB’s exclusive banking offers for newcomers.
Find the right credit card for you
A credit limit up to $5,000
Get access to credit and start making everyday purchases with an ATB Mastercard®. Apply for a credit card and get approved for a credit limit of up to $5,000.1
No Canadian credit history required
If you have not held a Canadian credit product before, you can still qualify for a credit card.1 Get an ATB Mastercard and start to build your Canadian credit history and credit score.
Unlimited rewards or cash back—your choice
Browse our card options below and choose to earn unlimited rewards or cash back for what you already buy.
Compare ATB Mastercards for newcomers:
| Credit card | ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard® | ATB Gold Cash Rewards Mastercard® | ATB World Elite Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $120 a year (waived for ATB Advantage Account holders)2 |
| Interest rate (see current rates) | 19.99% (purchases) | 19.99% (purchases) | 20.99% (purchases) |
| Minimum credit limit | $500 | $500 | $5,000 |
| Credit limit for newcomers | Up to $5,0001 | Up to $5,0001 | $5,0001 |
| Balance protection | Available | Available | Available |
| Additional benefits | Enjoy benefits like mobile phone protection, travel perks and insurance, discounted car rates and purchase protection. See full benefit details. | Receive perks such as discounted car rentals, purchase protection, extended warranty and travel protection and assistance. See full benefit details. | Top-tier benefits such as airport lounge passes, 15 premium insurances including mobile device and event ticket purchase protection. See full benefit details. |
| Additional cards | Free | Free | $35 annual fee |
| Welcome bonus | 10,000 welcome bonus points ($50 value)3 | None | 40,000 welcome bonus points ($200 value)4 |
| Rewards | Earn accelerated points with 3 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases with select merchants. 1.5 points per $1 spent on any other purchases. Points can be used for travel, merchandise or gift cards using ATB My Rewards®. | Earn unlimited cash back rewards at a rate of 1% on all your purchases. Cash back rewards are applied automatically to your statement every January. | Earn accelerated points with 8 points per $1 spent on airlines, hotels, motels and car rental companies. 6 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, digital streaming services, and entertainment. 2 points per $1 spent on any other purchases. Points can be used for travel, merchandise or gift cards using ATB My Rewards®. |
| Terms and conditions | *For full terms and conditions visit this page. | *For full terms and conditions visit this page. | *For full terms and conditions visit this page. |
View our list of participating merchants and rewards calculator.
Ready to apply for a credit card?
The first step is to find a location convenient to you and book an appointment to speak with an everyday banking advisor. Click the button below to find the location nearest you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. ATB has newcomer credit card options with limits up to $5,000 that you can apply for with no credit history in Canada.1 To apply for a credit card, you will need to visit us for an in-person appointment. Find your nearest ATB location using our branch locator tool. When booking your appointment online, select "Financial advice and guidance" from the dropdown options.
If you are new to Canada, you may have not held any credit products here yet. This means that you don’t have a Canadian credit history and most likely do not have a credit score. Learn more about credit and why it’s important in this article.
Consider what card delivers the most value for you, whether that’s cash in your pocket or rewards to use for things like travel, merchandise and gift cards. Review ATB’s Mastercard options with the Mastercard product selector tool or speak with an everyday banking advisor.
If you have not held a Canadian credit product, such as a credit card or line of credit, you will not have a Canadian credit history. Credit history is a record of your borrowing and repayment behavior, used to calculate your credit score.
In Canada, credit scores are based on your credit history over the last six years. Your credit score can range from poor to exceptional based on your credit behaviors. For example, repaying your credit card statement by the payment due date each month will improve your credit score. On the other hand, not making a minimum payment by the payment due date and high utilization will have a negative impact on your credit score. Once you have a credit product, such as a credit card, it takes about six months to build a credit score for a newcomer. To learn more, read "How to build your credit score as a newcomer to Canada".
When you apply for a credit card, your financial institution will approve you for a certain credit limit. A credit limit is the maximum amount you can borrow on your credit card. The amount you spend on your credit card each month should be based on your monthly budget. It is recommended that you pay your credit card balance in full on a monthly basis by the payment due date. If you are not able to do so, having a repayment plan that considers interest rate and timeline will help you avoid further debt.
If you consistently only pay the required minimum payment, think about speaking with an ATB everyday banking advisor to make a plan to pay off your debt and create a budget.
Understand Canadian credit
What to know about credit if you’re new to Canada
Understand the basics of credit in Canada, including how to get a credit score and what it does.
Banking terms newcomers need to know
Use this guide to common banking terms so you feel confident banking in Canada.
How to build your credit score as a newcomer to Canada
Take the confusion out of building a strong credit score with this helpful article.
Credit and credit card terms you should know:
- Credit card: A card that lets you borrow money for purchases, but you need to repay the borrowed amount plus interest. Enjoy an interest-free grace period (usually 21 days) on new purchases if you pay the full balance by the due date. This doesn’t apply to cash advances or balance transfers. Unpaid interest gets added to your balance monthly, leading to compound interest. It’s best to pay your balance in full whenever possible.
- Credit limit: The maximum amount you can borrow on your credit card, loan or line of credit.
- Available credit: The amount of credit you can use on your credit card or line of credit. This is calculated by subtracting your current balance (including any pending purchases or payments) from your total credit limit.
- Payment due date: The date your credit card payment is due (usually the same day of each month).
- Minimum payment: The minimum amount you must pay each month before your payment due date to avoid late fees and penalties.
- Credit score: A number representing how likely a person is to pay back money they borrow, calculated based on their credit history and financial behaviour.
- Credit history: A record of your borrowing and repayment behavior, used to calculate your credit score.
Subject to credit approval. To qualify, you must be a resident of Alberta (proof of residency required) and 18+. To qualify for ATB New to Canada Banking Solutions you must be a permanent resident, international student, temporary foreign worker or refugee and have landed in Canada five years ago or less (with proof of status). Your approval and the credit limit will be determined on ATB’s credit criteria, including income and credit history (if available). Additional ATB World Elite Mastercard criteria apply. Secured options for higher credit limits available.
The annual fee ($120) waived for the ATB World Elite Mastercard for each year you hold an Advantage Account. Our standard interest rates are 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances. Click here to view complete rate and fee schedule. Client is eligible to apply for an ATB World Elite Mastercard Mastercard if the client is a resident of Alberta, 18 years or older, has not declared personal bankruptcy in the past five years, the intent of the card is for personal use only, and confirm one of the following: 1) have an annual personal income of $80,000 or more, 2) live in a household with a family income of $150,000 or more, 3) have $400,000 or more in assets under wealth management. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice. On approved credit, conditions apply. Review terms and conditions here.
If you already have an ATB World Elite MasterCard please contact us to initiate the assessment and application of the fee waiver.The 10,000 welcome bonus points ($50 value) will be applied to the client’s ATB My Rewards account within 60 days after the first eligible purchase on the ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard. Welcome bonus offer available on new ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard accounts where the cardholder has not had a previous ATB Gold My Rewards Travel Mastercard. Client is eligible to apply for an ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard if the client is a resident of Alberta, 18 years or older, has not declared personal bankruptcy in the past five years and the intent of the card is for personal use only. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice. On approved credit, conditions apply. Review terms and conditions here.
The 40,000 welcome bonus points ($200 value) will be applied to the client’s ATB My Rewards account within 60 days after the first eligible purchase on the ATB World Elite Mastercard. Offer available on new ATB World Elite Mastercard accounts where the cardholder had no previous ATB World Elite Mastercard. Fee waiver applies to the 1st year only and is a $120 value. Client is eligible to apply for an ATB World Elite Mastercard Mastercard if the client is a resident of Alberta, 18 years or older, has not declared personal bankruptcy in the past five years, the intent of the card is for personal use only, and confirm one of the following: 1) have an annual personal income of $80,000 or more, 2) live in a household with a family income of $150,000 or more, 3) have $400,000 or more in assets under wealth management. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice. On approved credit, conditions apply. Review terms and conditions here.
* For full terms and conditions on each ATB Mastercard visit: ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard, ATB Gold Cash Rewards Mastercard, or ATB World Elite Mastercard.
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Related documents: Summary of Rates, Fees and Disclosures - ATB Personal Mastercards, ATB My Rewards Terms & Conditions.