There's also a topic about this on a dutch forum I'm posting on, but knowing no one can read dutch I wil try to translate what I've read...
To open an account WITH PR try this link:http://www.rbc.com/canada/banking-packages/index.html
You can also open an account without PR, but you have to open it in person in Canada.
(That's what would like to do in my 2 week vacation over there)
I know you must have enough money to put into the account to get a CC.( I don't know the exact ammount)
You need that CC to build up your credit history to get a morgage or loan.
Not every bank will give you a CC, I know from other people that TD bank, CIBC, Capital One or Scotia Bank are willing to give non immigrants a CC.
It all depends on you credit history in your home country and if you can try to get a translated letter of recommendation from your bank you'll be fine...
This is what I read on a dutch forum, so please don't mind me if it will be different for other countries!
Kind regards,
Louise!