"What is the best student credit card in Canada?"

"The best student credit card in Canada is the BMO Student CashBack Mastercard — it earns 3% cash back on groceries (one of the highest grocery rates of any no-fee card), 1% on recurring bills, and has no annual fee with no stated income requirement. For students who shop primarily at Loblaws-banner stores (Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore), the PC Financial Mastercard earns 25 PC Optimum points per $1 (equivalent to 2.5% at Loblaws). For Scene+ rewards, the Scotiabank Student Visa or Scotiabank StartRight Visa earns Scene+ at Cineplex and Sobeys-banner grocery stores."

"Can students get a credit card in Canada with no income?"

"Yes — most major Canadian banks offer student credit cards with no stated income requirement. The card is approved based on your student status and identity verification rather than income. You will need a valid Canadian address, a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and in most cases a valid student ID or enrolment confirmation. Credit limits are typically low ($500–$1,000) to manage risk. If you are denied for a standard student card, a secured credit card (like the Home Trust Secured Visa or Neo Financial Secured Mastercard) requires only a security deposit and can be obtained without income."

"How do student credit cards help build credit in Canada?"

"Using a student credit card builds Canadian credit history reported to Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada — the two credit bureaus. Every on-time payment strengthens your payment history, which is the largest factor in your credit score (roughly 35%). Keeping your balance low relative to your limit (credit utilisation — ideally under 30%, ideally under 10%) also improves your score. After 12–24 months of responsible use (pay in full, keep utilisation low), most students have a credit score in the 660–720 range, qualifying them for premium rewards cards after graduation."

"Should a student get a Visa or Mastercard?"

"For students in Canada, the network (Visa vs Mastercard) matters less than the card rewards and income requirements. Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted across Canada. Some Amex cards offer strong rewards but are accepted less widely than Visa/Mastercard. The more important choice is which bank's ecosystem you want to be in — TD, Scotiabank, BMO, RBC, CIBC — since your student card often becomes your first step in a longer relationship with that bank. Choose based on the rewards category that matches your spending (groceries, transit, dining) rather than network."

"What credit score does a student need for a credit card in Canada?"

"Student credit cards are designed for applicants with little or no credit history — there is no minimum credit score requirement for most student cards. Your credit score will be 0 (no file) or minimal when you first apply, and that is expected. Banks approve student cards based on your student status, identity verification, and bank relationship rather than your credit score. If you already have some credit history (from a secured card or as an authorised user on a parent's account), a score above 600 will make approval straightforward for any student card listed here."

Best Student Credit Cards in Canada 2026

Student credit cards in Canada are designed for post-secondary students with little or no credit history and limited income. They offer no annual fee, relaxed eligibility requirements, and modest rewards — building the credit foundation you’ll need for premium cards after graduation.

Best Student Credit Cards at a Glance

Card	Annual Fee	Best Earn Rate	Programme	Best For
BMO Student CashBack Mastercard	$0	3% grocery / 1% bills	Cash back	Best cash back on groceries
Scotiabank Student Visa	$0	1x Scene+	Scene+	Scotiabank banking clients
Scotiabank StartRight Visa	$0	1x Scene+	Scene+	New students + newcomers
TD Student Visa	$0	1x TD Rewards	TD Rewards	TD banking clients
CIBC Student Visa	$0	1x CIBC Rewards	CIBC Rewards	CIBC banking clients
RBC Student Visa	$0	1x Avion	Avion	RBC banking clients
PC Financial Mastercard	$0	25 pts/$1 at Loblaws	PC Optimum	Loblaws-family shoppers
National Bank Mastercard Student	$0	ncRewards	ncRewards	Quebec students; National Bank clients
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card	$0	2% in 2–3 chosen categories	Cash back	Students with flexible spending

Top Cards Reviewed

BMO Student CashBack Mastercard — Best for Groceries

Earns 3% cash back on groceries and 1% on recurring bills (streaming, phone), 0.5% everywhere else — no annual fee, no income requirement.

A student spending $250/month on groceries and $100/month on recurring subscriptions earns approximately:

Grocery: $250 × 3% × 12 = $90/year
Bills: $100 × 1% × 12 = $12/year
Total: ~$102/year cash back on just two categories

Cash back is earned in 1¢ increments and redeemed as a statement credit once you reach $25 or more.

Best for: Students who cook at home and have regular subscription/phone bills.

Scotiabank Student Visa — Best Scene+ Starter

Earns Scene+ points at Cineplex, Scotiabank banking partners, and eligible grocery stores (Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, etc.).

No annual fee; earns at the standard 1x Scene+ rate. Works well for students who bank at Scotiabank and want to earn toward free movies or travel.

Best for: Scotiabank banking clients who want seamless integration with Scotiabank rewards.

PC Financial Mastercard — Best for Loblaws Shoppers

Earns 25 PC Optimum points per $1 at Loblaws-family stores (Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Esso). 10,000 PC Optimum points = $10 in grocery savings → effectively 2.5% back at Loblaws stores.

No annual fee, no income requirement. If your nearest grocery store is a Loblaws-family banner, this outperforms the BMO Student CashBack on Loblaws spending:

Loblaws grocery $300/month × 2.5% × 12 = $90/year savings

Best for: Students who shop primarily at Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, or Shoppers Drug Mart.

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card — Best Flexible Earner

Earns 2% cash back in two chosen categories (gas, groceries, dining, entertainment, transit, and more). Students can match the categories to their biggest spending areas.

No annual fee, income requirement approachable for students. Tangerine operates online-only — no branch for in-person service.

Best for: Students who want to customise their rewards around their specific spending habits and are comfortable with a digital-first bank.

What to Look for in a Student Card

1. No annual fee Never pay a fee to build your credit during school. There are plenty of strong no-fee student options.

2. Reports to both credit bureaus Confirm the card reports to Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. All major-bank student cards do — but verify.

3. Modest rewards Even 1–3% back is useful. Prioritise the category where you spend most (groceries, transit, subscriptions).

4. Low credit limit $500–$1,000 is standard. Keep utilisation below 30% (ideally below 10%) — this improves your credit score faster.

5. Low or no interest rate (or just always pay in full) Student cards typically charge 19.99–22.99% interest. If you always pay the full statement balance, the rate is irrelevant. If you ever carry a balance, pay it off as the highest financial priority.

How Student Cards Build Credit

Action	Credit Score Impact
Paying on time every month	Strongest positive factor (~35% of score)
Keeping utilisation under 30%	Second-strongest factor (~30% of score)
Keeping the account open long-term	Adds length of credit history (~15% of score)
Not applying for too many new cards at once	Avoids hard inquiry clustering (~10% of score)
Having a mix of credit types	Minor benefit; don’t force it

After 12 months of responsible use, most students move from no score to 660–700 — qualifying for standard rewards cards.
After 24 months, scores often reach 700–740 — qualifying for premium travel cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite.

Tips for Student Cardholders

Set up automatic full-balance payment from your chequing account — never miss a payment
Use the card for predictable monthly expenses (groceries, transit pass, streaming subscriptions)
Don’t carry a balance — 19.99% interest erases any cash back earned many times over
Keep utilisation low — if your limit is $1,000, try to keep the balance below $100–$300 at any given time
Don’t apply for multiple cards at once — each application triggers a hard inquiry; one card is enough for your first 2 years

Upgrading After Graduation

After 2+ years of clean credit history and full-time employment income, you qualify for significantly better cards:

Upgrade Card	Annual Fee	Why Upgrade
Scotiabank Gold American Express	$120	6x Scene+ on dining/grocery; no FX fee
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite	$139	Best Aeroplan earner; free Air Canada bag
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite	$150	6 lounge visits; no FX; Scene+
American Express Cobalt	$155	5x MR on dining/grocery; best travel value
CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite	$120	4% cash back on grocery + gas
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card	$0	2% in chosen categories; upgrade from starter

Student Credit Cards FAQ

Best student credit card Canada with no income? BMO Student CashBack Mastercard — 3% grocery cash back, no income requirement.

Can I get a student credit card as an international student? International students may apply with a study permit and SIN. Some issuers require a Canadian bank account (which you can open with a study permit). Scotiabank StartRight and RBC Student Visa are known to accept international students.

What credit limit will I get on a student card? Typically $500–$1,500 for a first student card. You can request an increase after 12 months of on-time payments.

Should I get one or two student cards? One is ideal for the first year. Adding a second after 12 months (if your credit score is improving) can increase your total available credit and lower your utilisation ratio — helping your score further.

What happens to my student credit card after graduation? Most student cards automatically convert to standard versions (same card, no longer “student” labelled) or you can upgrade. The account history stays on your credit report, which is valuable — don’t close it.

Not all cards available in Quebec. Verify income requirements and eligibility with the issuer before applying. See our Advertiser Disclosure.