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Open a bank account before landing

permafrost_can

Hero Member
Nov 16, 2017
325
150
Category........
Yes! Some banks limit the service to specific countries and some offer the service for everyone. At the very least, four large Canadian banks offer this option: RBC, BMO and Scotiabank. TD offers it only for clients in India or China.

Message me or contact www.ic-pac.com if you would like to learn more about the financial system in Canada before landing. It is part of the free pre-arrival information that IRCC wants pre-arrival organizations to provide to future newcomers.
 

hassankm

Hero Member
Nov 11, 2015
222
99
42
Erbil - Iraq
Category........
PNP
NOC Code......
1311
Nomination.....
07-08-2020
AOR Received.
14-08-2020
Med's Done....
28-09-2020
Yes! Some banks limit the service to specific countries and some offer the service for everyone. At the very least, four large Canadian banks offer this option: RBC, BMO and Scotiabank. TD offers it only for clients in India or China.

Message me or contact www.ic-pac.com if you would like to learn more about the financial system in Canada before landing. It is part of the free pre-arrival information that IRCC wants pre-arrival organizations to provide to future newcomers.
Hello.. how can i manage to open a bank account before landing? i tried to contact scotia bank, the person said that i have to be canada..
 

steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,306
1,628
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Hello.. how can i manage to open a bank account before landing? i tried to contact scotia bank, the person said that i have to be canada..
Only one out of five posts of yours mentioned that you are in Iraq. I don't think HSBC is available to you there. Perhaps you should travel to other countries in which HSBC have presence.
 

NZ_ozzie

Hero Member
Sep 4, 2018
888
232
Category........
FSW
App. Filed.......
10-11-2018
Doc's Request.
11-12-2018
AOR Received.
10-11-2018
Med's Done....
11-12-2018
VISA ISSUED...
05-06-2019
Has anyone opened an account with RBC or HSBC before landing and transferred over $50,000 from home country?
 

steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,306
1,628
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
They're in the U.S., but I haven't had luck with them opening a Canadian bank account. You can open a U.S. bank account with them.
Maybe you talked to the wrong person... Btw, why do you want open account before landing? Couldn't you just use bank atm card for cash withdrawal? Some US bank charge no fee at foreign bank machine.
 

Alex54321

Hero Member
Jul 28, 2017
513
127
USA
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
20-10-2017
AOR Received.
01-12-2017
I
Maybe you talked to the wrong person... Btw, why do you want open account before landing? Couldn't you just use bank atm card for cash withdrawal? Some US bank charge no fee at foreign bank machine.
I am using Schwab Bank checking account outside US, ATM fee free.
 

mgnlky

Champion Member
Jan 22, 2016
1,558
275
Vancouver
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
1122
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
App. Filed.......
22-12-2016
AOR Received.
22-12-2016
Med's Done....
04-11-2016
Passport Req..
22-3-2017
LANDED..........
04-09-2017
Maybe you talked to the wrong person... Btw, why do you want open account before landing? Couldn't you just use bank atm card for cash withdrawal? Some US bank charge no fee at foreign bank machine.
I opened an account in 2016 with RBC prior to landing in 2017. When I landed I was given a credit card with them with a higher limit because of my 'long' (in terms of a new resident) relationship with them. It also comes in handy when you're trying to get an apartment when you first land. Some landlords are more willing to work with someone who has a Canadian bank account.