Immigrating to Canada with no credit card

[Kamal_3D]

Hi all,

I will be moving to Canada soon. My concern is that my credit card in my country of residence will be cancelled once I move out, thus, I will not hold any credit cards while entering Canada. Are there hotels and car rental agencies that can accept cash only for a period of 2-3 weeks till I open a local bank account and get a credit card. I will be moving to Mississauga.

 

[scylla]

You can certainly pay for a hotel room with cash. The hotel may require you to provide a security deposit of several hundred extra dollars that will be returned to you once you check out. I'm not sure it's possible to rent a car without a credit card.

 

[Ponga]

When you say that you will be `moving' to Canada, you do mean legally, correct?
(you have been approved for Permanent Residence, or a work or study permit).

Your current credit profile (and score) will be meaningless in Canada, so you will be starting all over again.

Scotia Bank (Bank of Nova Scotia) has a pretty good program for new comers to Canada; The Start Right Program. It offers a basic checking account (with a $100 bonus that will be credited to the account within 120 days), along with an unsecured credit card with a $2000 (or higher) line of credit.

 

[Kamal_3D]

When you say that you will be `moving' to Canada, you do mean legally, correct?
(you have been approved for Permanent Residence, or a work or study permit).

Your current credit profile (and score) will be meaningless in Canada, so you will be starting all over again.

Scotia Bank (Bank of Nova Scotia) has a pretty good program for new comers to Canada; The Start Right Program. It offers a basic checking account (with a $100 bonus that will be credited to the account within 120 days), along with an unsecured credit card with a $2000 (or higher) line of credit.

Yes, I have a valid RP.
How long does it take to issue the credit card

 

[foodie69]

Yes, I have a valid RP.
How long does it take to issue the credit card

Probably 10 days or so..

 

[mf4361]

Maybe you can buy one of those Visa debit card at the airport and use it until you get a credit card? Those card are accepted in all locations where Visa is accepted

Most banks have new comer package with bank account, credit cards, mortgage, etc specifically designed for new comers