No-Fee, Student and Newcomer Credit Cards in Canada
Cards with no annual fee, and cards you can get as a student or newcomer.
Not everyone wants, or can get, a premium card. This hub is for Canadians who want no annual fee, students with little or no income, and newcomers without a Canadian credit history.
The guides compare what each card earns, what the issuer asks for to approve you, and how the card helps build a credit file. Income requirements, fees and earn rates come from the issuer's own page with the date checked. Where a no-fee card beats a fee card for a given budget, the guide shows the math.
If you're rebuilding after missed payments, the credit scores hub covers secured cards and the steps that move a score.
What this hub helps you decide:
- Which no-fee card earns the most for me?
- What can I get with no income or credit history?
- Which card avoids foreign transaction fees?
- How does a first card build my credit file?
Updated November 2026 · 2 guides by Andrew
Start here
- Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards in Canada for 2026
- Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada (2026)
New to credit cards? Read the overview first: Best Credit Cards in Canada for 2026: Picks by Spending Profile.
All No-Fee, Student & Newcomer Cards guides
Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada (2026)
As of September 2026, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite ($150) and Scotiabank Gold American Express ($120) charge no foreign-transaction markup. Scotiabank describes the typical markup as 2.5 percent.
Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards in Canada for 2026
As of September 2026, Tangerine, Simplii, PC Financials no-fee lineup, BMO CashBack, and Amex SimplyCash charge $0. The best one is the category you actually spend in.