Scotia Bank StartRight Program

[Al_Safaniyah123]

Hi, can anyone give any information regarding the StartRight Program offered by Scotia Bank where one can open a bank account prior first landing in Canada.
I am from India and would like to know if anyone has experience with this Program and if transferring funds into this account from one's local account in their home country would satisfy the CBSA officer at a Canadian Airport as Proof of Funds?

Thanks

 

[Ponga]

Start here:
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,7193,00.html


But, they also offer this for Syrian refugees:
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,9712,00.html

To qualify for the Scotiabank StartRight Syrian Immigration Program you must have received Canadian Syrian RefugeePermanent Resident status within the period of November 1st, 2015 – April 30, 2016. You must request the Scotiabank StartRight Syrian Immigration Program when applying for a product.


Why is this ONLY for Syrian refugees?

The other `normal' StartRight programs are nowhere near as generous ($2000 unsecured credit card with no credit or income requirements?)

 

[Al_Safaniyah123]

Start here:
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,7193,00.html


But, they also offer this for Syrian refugees:
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,9712,00.html

To qualify for the Scotiabank StartRight Syrian Immigration Program you must have received Canadian Syrian RefugeePermanent Resident status within the period of November 1st, 2015 – April 30, 2016. You must request the Scotiabank StartRight Syrian Immigration Program when applying for a product.


Why is this ONLY for Syrian refugees?

The other `normal' StartRight programs are nowhere near as generous ($2000 unsecured credit card with no credit or income requirements?)

Hi Ponga, thank you for your reply. If i was to open this bank account, the 'normal' StartRight Program, would the confirmation from Scotia Bank that funds have been transferred to it from my local bank account suffice as Proof of Funds?

Does anyone know how long it takes to open a StartRight account online, and how much time does it take to receive the Account Number.

 

[Gavin Johan]

In india scotia bank has a tie up with kotak bank. They will help u in opening an account at scotia bank even before you land.

 

[vmraja]

In india scotia bank has a tie up with kotak bank. They will help u in opening an account at scotia bank even before you land.

Kotak guys will insist to open an NRE account with them as a prerequisite to process startright application.

Instead, directly apply on scotia website. very simple process.

 

[Gavin Johan]

Kotak guys will insist to open an NRE account with them as a prerequisite to process startright application.

Instead, directly apply on scotia website. very simple process.

Hey vmraja,
Are there any advantages of opening an nre account with kotak in terms of money transfer charges if v open Scotia bank account through kotak bank..??

 

[vmraja]

Hey vmraja,
Are there any advantages of opening an nre account with kotak in terms of money transfer charges if v open Scotia bank account through kotak bank..??

I did not ask much details as i am not inclined to open the account. Generally, there wont be any concession in charges.

 

[SamyAmy]

I will be landing shortly and after thorough analysis I have decided is to carry POF in forex travel card. It is working very cheap. Can be used at any merchant and any atm machine. Can be loaded anytime from India if u need more money. Valid for 5 years. Can also carry multiple currency.
Lowest convention rate, safe and secure.
After opening a local account will take the money out and will put into my account.
First three ATM transaction per month is free.
For this please do carry the receipt of load up from your bank. For POF.
Better than bank draft, cash and traveller chequer.
For emergency do carry some $1000/- in cash.
This is what I have decided.

 

[vmraja]

I will be landing shortly and after thorough analysis I have decided is to carry POF in forex travel card. It is working very cheap. Can be used at any merchant and any atm machine. Can be loaded anytime from India if u need more money. Valid for 5 years. Can also carry multiple currency.
Lowest convention rate, safe and secure.
After opening a local account will take the money out and will put into my account.
First three ATM transaction per month is free.
For this please do carry the receipt of load up from your bank. For POF.
Better than bank draft, cash and traveller chequer.
For emergency do carry some $1000/- in cash.
This is what I have decided.

Good option to consider. seems very convenient. Which bank to be contacted?

 

[SamyAmy]

Good option to consider. seems very convenient. Which bank to be contacted?

Most leading bank provide forex card. HDFC, AXIS, ICICI.
Today I checked with them HDFC they were giving me CAD at 51.76.
When I checked online with various forex exchange I got it at 50.50.
They have links with various banks and are issuing me AXIS bank forex card.

 

[vmraja]

Most leading bank provide forex card. HDFC, AXIS, ICICI.
Today I checked with them HDFC they were giving me CAD at 51.76.
When I checked online with various forex exchange I got it at 50.50.
They have links with various banks and are issuing me AXIS bank forex card.

They charge for every transaction. like 2$ for every withdrawal..
Thomas Cooks also seems like a good option

 

[alok4best]

Most of the Forex cards have ATM usage fees.
Opening a Scotia account from India is a wise decision if you still have a month to fly.

When I was planning my move, I approached them(Scotia Bank) Online and was in turn contacted by a representative from Kotak Mahindra.
They said they needed approx 3 working weeks to open account and arrange a welcome kit.
I did not proceed as I just had a week to fly.
However, I did open an NRE account with Kotak, which they were able to do within 4-5 days.

 

[SamyAmy]

They charge for every transaction. like 2$ for every withdrawal..
Thomas Cooks also seems like a good option

First 3 ATM transaction are free every month, and I got further email from them that...all the $2 charged will be reinembursed to me for the rest of the transaction carried out, but it will take them 30 working days to deposit the amount back into my card. So working out better I think so.
With only one condition that, I have to use only free ATM machines not the private ones.

 

[angelistamaria]

Has anyone attempted to open a Scotia Bank Startright program account from the Philippines? We still have months before our planned landing.

I think they have a tie-up with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) but I'm still trying to gather more info.

Please and thank you!

 

[Thakur Diya]

Hi everyone
I opened account with scotia bank and got an acknowledgement with 3 attachments which includes welcome letter and investment directions letter which clearly says the amount transferred to my scotia account in Canadian dollars. Are we supposed to do anything beyond this or only these letters can be used as proof of funds for immigration as it doesn't clearly say proof of funds?
Is there any sort of acknowledgment i need to do post this?
Thanks..