The Easiest Credit Cards to Get in Canada in 2025

As you use your credit card though, you will be able to increase your limit since you will have proven you are able to pay for the funds that you borrow.

Minimum Credit Score Required to Get a Credit Card

When it comes to borrowing money, your credit score always comes into play. With that said, though, you don't actually need a good credit score to get a credit card. There are plenty of credit card companies that will give you a credit card if you have a low card score. There are others, though, that may require a specific score in order to qualify.

Credit card companies that require specific scores usually offer more exclusive rewards and higher limits. They are the ones that are more difficult to get, especially if you haven't had a credit card before.

Credit Card Types That are the Easiest to Get Approved For

There are plenty of credit cards available for those who don't have the greatest credit score. They are an easy and effective way to improve your credit score while having access to a reliable credit card.

Secured Credit Cards

Secured credit cards are a type of credit card that requires a deposit. Different secured credit card companies require different deposits. Some require as much as your credit card limit. Others just require a few hundred dollars.

Student Credit Cards

Student credit cards often have lower interest rates as well as easier qualification requirements. This is because students often don't have a lot of credit history since they are trying to further their education. With that said the credit card limits are also often lower.

Prepaid Credit Cards

Prepaid cards are a type of credit card that allows you to not borrow any money. You essentially load a credit card with a certain amount of money and can spend it until it's empty. These are great for gifts or situations where a credit card is needed, but you don't have one. Really, it's basically a debit card with the abilities of a credit card. While they don't impact your credit score at all, they are great for those with poor credit scores who still need to have a credit card.

Guaranteed Approval Credit Cards

Unfortunately, in Canada, there are no guaranteed approval credit cards that aren't secured or prepaid. This is especially true if you have a bad credit score. It's easier to get approved for an unsecured credit card if you have good credit but never guaranteed. However, if you are looking for guaranteed credit cards at any credit level, then there are some great prepaid and secured credit cards to choose from.

Capital One Secured Mastercard

One of the easiest credit cards to get is the Capital One Secured Mastercard. This is because one of the great features that they offer is guaranteed approval. This is great for someone who is looking to rebuild credit or just get a credit card without the hassle. The details of this card include:

• Zero liability protection
• Purchase assurance
• Extended warranty coverage on items purchased with the card
• Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver
• Price Protection
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Baggage Delay
• Travel Assistance

With this card the interest rate is 21.99%. There's also a monthly fee of $59. This secured card doesn't always require the full amount of your card limit. It's usually between $75 -$300. It's also important to keep in mind that while the card does have guaranteed approval, you still need to meet the minimum requirements.

• You need to be the age of majority in the province/territory where you live.
• You provide the security funds required.
• You don't already have an existing Capital One account or one that's pending.
• You haven't applied for a Capital One account more than once in the last 30 days.
• You haven't had a Capital One account that wasn't in good standing within the last year.

Neo Secured Mastercard

With the Neo Secured Mastercard, there are some amazing perks that mirror those of unsecured credit cards. It even has a high limit of $10,000. You can easily apply in just a few minutes, and there are some great cashback perks that can help you save money.

This card includes:

• Up to 15% cashback on first purchases
• An average of 5% cash back at thousands of partnerships
• The ability to spend the cashback how you choose (doesn't have to be used in the form of statement credits)
• The ability to earn unlimited cash back
• No annual fee
• 24.99% interest on regular purchases
• 26.99% on cashback purchases

KOHO Prepaid Mastercard

The KOHO Prepaid Mastercard is a great way to build your credit score without borrowing any money. How does this work exactly? Well, the KOHO card acts as a credit card, but you can put as much or as little funds on it as you like. You also earn cashback on your purchases. That said, which KOHO plan you choose will determine the cost per month and what benefits you receive.

Essential

The essential plan costs anywhere from $0 per month to $4 per month. It includes both a physical and virtual card as well as 1% cash back on groceries, transportation, and eating and drinking. The interest you earn is higher at 1.5%, and credit building only costs $7. You also get the ability to lock your card, receive extra cashback with partners and roundups.

Extra

The extra plan costs a bit more at $9 per month. With this plan, you will receive not only physical and virtual cards but also a premium card. You earn .5% cashback on all purchases as well as 2% cashback on eating and drinking, transportation and grocery purchases. You get 6% on all booking.com purchases. Credit building only costs $7, and you earn 2% interest on your funds. You can lock your card in the app, get roundups, and earn extra cashback from partners. There are also no foreign transaction fees, and you get 1 free international withdrawal per month.

Everything

The last plan is the everything plan. It costs $19 and includes all of the same perks as the extra plans. However, there are a few differences. You earn 4% interest instead of 2%, and credit building only costs $5. It offers all of the other benefits, but you can also get real-time e-transfers with this plan.

Van City Enviro Secured Visa Card

If you’re looking for a secured credit card that’s also one of the easiest credit cards to get in Canada and with a credit union credit card provider, the Van City Enviro Secured Visa Card could be a good option for you. 

This credit card is best meant for those with poor credit scores looking to build their credit, those who want convenient access to credit and those who are new to the country. The limit on this credit card is based on your approval. The annual fee ranges between $0 and $395, and the interest rates vary between 11.25% and 19.25%. 

ATB Alberta Secured Mastercard

Another credit union in Canada that offers a secured credit card is the ATB Alberta Secured Mastercard. Once you’ve submitted your credit card application, been approved for the card and made your security deposit, then you can start using it. With this card you can also get the added perk of 25% off at participating Avis and Budget rental car options when you use your card. 

The specifics of this card are:

• Annual fee of $49
• 19.99% purchase interest
• 22.99% cash advance interest

Instant Approval Credit Cards

Waiting for a credit card can be a pain. If you are applying for one, chances are that you need it sooner rather than later. That's where cards that offer instant approval come in. With some, you can also get a virtual card, and then you can use them instantly. However, instant approval credit cards can be more difficult to get since many of them are premium credit cards and do require at least an average credit score.

There are different types of credit cards available from different types of financial institutions. With the way technology is growing, it's not just small banks that offer them anymore. You can also get instant approval with traditional credit cards and store credit cards. Let’s compare credit cards and see which ones offer the best rewards, perks, and rates. 

Tangerine

One of the best instant approval credit cards out there is the Tangerine Money Back Credit Card. This card has no annual fee and offers 2% cashback on categories of your choosing. This means that you are more likely to earn rewards since you control what you earn them on. Other important aspects of this card to consider are:

• 19.96% interest on regular purchases
• 19.96% on cash advances
• 19.96% interest on balance transfers
• Mobile wallet compatible

When it comes to cashback, the categories you have to choose from are:

• Grocery
• Recurring Bill Payments
• Furniture
• Restaurants
• Drug Store
• Home Improvement
• Hotel/Motel
• Entertainment
• Gas
• Public Transportation and Parking

American Express Cobalt

American Express Cobalt also allows you to use your credit card faster with instant approval. The interest rate on regular purchases is 20.99% with 21.99% on cash advances. There is also a monthly fee of $12.99. The perks included with this card are:

• 5x the points on food delivery and restaurants
• 3x points on streaming subscriptions
• 2x the points on travel and transit
• 1x the points on all other purchases
• Mobile device insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Purchase protection
• World Class Service

Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard

The Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard is another very popular credit card. With this card, you can earn:

• 4% back in Canadian Tire money at select stores
• $0.05 back per litre on fuel
• 1.5% back at grocery stores
• 0.5% back on all other purchases

Another perk you can get with this card is that it’s one of many no fee credit cards and you can get no interest financing on qualifying purchases of $150 or more. This is only available at participating retailers, though. You can also get bonus CT money on bonus days, some weekly flyer offers, and different events that will allow you to earn more.

There are no annual fees and no minimum income requirements. The interest rate on everyday purchases is 20.99%. The interest rate on balance transfers and cash advances is 22.99%. This card is also mobile wallet compatible so you can start using it immediately, even before your physical card arrives.

If you love this card and are looking to earn more rewards or are just looking for a higher reward card, then there is also the Triangle World Elite Mastercard. It offers more perks but still has no annual fee.

PC Financial Mastercard

PC Financial offers a few different Mastercards, and none of them have annual fees. No matter which one you choose, though, there are plenty of perks you can receive, including:

• 10 points for every dollar you spend on all purchases including eligible grocery store purchases
• 25 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart on eligible purchases
• A minimum of 30 points per litre of fuel at ESSO
• 20 points per $1 spent on PC travel

The interest rate on regular purchases is 20.97%. Cash advance interest rates are 22.97% unless you are in Quebec, where the rate is 21.97%. With any of your purchases, there is a grace period of 21 days.

You can also add free additional users to your account for your family members, and, just like other Mastercards, you have access to Mastercard Global Service. This service either replaces your card or offers you a cash advance in case of an emergency. There's free purchase assurance and a free extended warranty also included on all purchases made with any of the cards.

The three different types of cards you can get are the PC Financial Mastercard, the PC Financial World Mastercard and the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard. The added benefit to getting a PC World Mastercard is th 24/7 concierge service. The World Elite card has even more benefits, including Travel Medical Insurance coverage, Car Rental Insurance coverage and Identity Theft Assistance Services. Which one you’re approved for is based on which eligibility criteria you meet. 

Home Trust Secured Visa

The Home Trust Secured Visa is one of the best-secured cards out there. While it isn't a guaranteed approval like a lot of the other secured credit cards, their approval rate is higher, and you can get instantly approved, therefore making it the easiest instant credit card you can get. This card is recommended for those with low credit scores, who are new to the country, or who just want to have a new positive credit line on their credit report.

While you will have to put down a deposit if you are approved, you can get the annual fee waived if you go with the 19.99% interest rate. This is only charged if you carry a balance, though. With an annual fee of $59, you can get an interest rate of 14.9%.

Other than building your credit score, some perks that come with this card are:

• Zero liability policy
• It can be used with digital wallets
• You can manage your account online
• Worldwide acceptance

With this particular secured credit card, your deposit amount can range anywhere from $500 to #10,000. This deposit will be kept as long as you hold your card.

BMO Preferred Rate

This card not only offers instant approval, but it also offers their lowest interest rate at 13,99% for regular purchases and 15.99% on cash advances. There is also an annual fee of $29. With that said, though, the annual fee can be rebated as long as you have a BMO Performance chequing account.

Some additional benefits included with the BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard are:

• You can get an additional cardholder for free
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• 24/7 worldwide emergency support
• BMO pay smart installment plans - interest-free monthly payments for a small fee
• Balance protection
• Roadside assistance
• Zero liability
• Mastercard identity check
• BMO alerts

RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option

All RBC credit cards have an instant approval process, but the RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option is the most popular card that they offer. It includes:

• An annual fee of $20
• Purchase interest rate of 12.99%
• Cash advance interest rate of 12.99%
• Additional card cost of $0
• Purchase security
• Extended warranty insurance
• Zero liability protection
• Fuel savings with Petro-Canada
• Be Well points when you shop with Rexall
• 3 months of $0 delivery with DoorDash
• Credit card lock

There are also other additional features that you can purchase with the card.

Walmart Mastercard

When it comes to instant approval credit cards, another great option is the Walmart Rewards Mastercard. Not only can you get instantly approved for this credit card, but it also comes with some great welcome bonuses. It’s also a great rewards credit card compared to most unsecured credit cards. 

With the Walmart Rewards Mastercard there’s no annual fee. You can earn 5% in reward dollars on select Walmart brands. You can earn 2% back on eligible gas station purchases, transit purchases and more. You can also earn 1.5% at Walmart.ca or any Walmart store in Canada. 

Another option is the Walmart Rewards World Mastercard. This card offers all the same benefits, however, it offers 3% back on Walmart.ca purchases instead of 1.25%. 

If you sign up now, you can also get a great welcome bonus. This welcome bonus includes 20 reward dollars when you’re approved and spend $50 using your temporary shopping pass. You can then earn $15 after one purchase at Walmart and one somewhere else. You can also get an extra $10 by going paperless. 

Another great feature when using the Walmart credit card is installment payment option. When you make a purchase of $1,99.99 or larger you can choose the installment plan option and and spread out the payment over 6 installments. 

CIBC Costco Mastercard

While CIBC offers a variety of different options when it comes to credit cards, one of their best instant approval cards is the CIBC Costco Mastercard. One of the best things about this credit card is that you can choose to apply at a bank branch, at Costco or online. Plus, until December 15, 2024, you can get a $30 statement credit if you’re approved and make a purchase within the first 90 days. 

With this card not only can you earn up to 3% cashback on all purchases where Mastercard is accepted, there’s no annual fee and you can get up to 3 additional card holders at no extra cost. The purchase interest on this card is 20.75% and the cash interest rate is 22.49%.

Unlike other traditional credit cards, there is a minimum income requirement for this credit card. You must have a minimum annual income of $15,000. However, if you’re looking to upgrade to the CIBC Costo World Mastercard then the minimum individual income is $50,000 and the minimum household income is $80,000. 

When it comes to benefits that you can get with this card, one of the best is the installment plan. Not only can you split your purchases into equal payments, but you can do so for a lower interest rate. For 6 months the rate is reduced to 5.99%, for 12 months it’s 6.99% and for 24 months it’s 7.99%. This card also includes:

• 1% back on all other purchases with the card.
• Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection Policy
• Fraud Alerts
• Digital Disputes Platform
• Mobile Device Insurance
• Purchase Security Insurance
• Extended Warranty Insurance
• CIBC Payment Protector Insurance
• 3% back at restaurants and Costco gas
• 2% back at other gas and charging stations as well as Costco.ca

When You Can Use an Instant Approval Card

It’s important to note that not all instant approval credit cards are instant use credit cards. When you are able to start using your instant approval credit card just depends on if the credit card issuer has virtual cards that work with apple pay, android pay or any other mobile wallet. If they do, you should be able to use the credit card online or in person instantly. If they don't then you may have to wait 5 to 7 business days before you receive your physical card.

How Credit Scores Affect Instant Approval Credit Cards in Canada

It might not come as much of a surprise to hear that the your credit score affects your credit card approval. The higher your credit score, the greater your chances of approval. These cards are often unsecured, meaning that no deposit is required.

While your credit score isn't the only factor that is considered when applying for a credit card, it does have a large impact on the decision. For this reason, it's recommended that you have an idea of your credit score before you apply by checking your own credit score. Every time you get your credit checked, it reduces your score by 5 to 15 points. Having an idea of your score helps you avoid applying for more than one card and getting too many credit checks.

With that in mind, though, having a credit score lower than 660 will likely result in a decline. A credit score between 660 and 725 might not result in an instant approval, depending on the other factors related to your income and credit history. However, with a credit score of 725 or higher, the chances are high that you will be approved for most instant approval cards.

Other Factors Involved in a Credit Card Instant Approval

While we know that your credit score is an important factor in obtaining a credit card, there are other things that credit card companies look at as well.

• Proof of Income: This means that many credit card providers will want to prove that you have an income in order to make the payments. They usually like to know how long you have worked at your place of employment as well.
• Income Amounts: A lot of unsecured credit cards have a minimum income requirement. This means that if you don't make enough money, you won't be approved for the card, even if you do have steady employment.
• Credit Report: These companies don't just look at your credit score. They also look at any other debts you have, what their standing is, and what your overall debt-to-income ratio is. While your score reflects a lot of this information, it doesn't give the details. A consent is required, though, in order for a hard check with the credit bureaus to be done.

On top of this, when you apply you will have to show some sort of ID to prove who you are. Your SIN number may also be required, especially if they have a hard time finding your credit report by just using your name.

Difference Between Instant Approval Cards and Guaranteed Approval Cards

While there are still some requirements you need to meet for credit cards with instant approval and guaranteed approval, instant approval cards require a credit check, while guaranteed approval cards don't. The main requirements for most guaranteed approval cards are that you are a Canadian citizen/permanent resident, you meet the age of majority, and you can pay any required security deposit. Instant approval cards look at your credit score, credit history, income and anything else that may affect your ability to pay back the money you owe.

With that in mind, though, both types of credit cards can make a positive impact on your credit score. In order to do that, though, you have to use the card appropriately. This means that you make all of your payments on time every month during the billing period. It's also recommended that you keep your balance between 1% and 35% of your maximum credit limit. These things will have the greatest positive impact.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to getting a credit card, you should do your research. What's your credit score? Do you need the requirements? Are you looking to earn rewards or increase your credit score? There are so many different things to consider and so many different cards to choose from.

While it is important to have different types of credit on your credit file, make sure you pay attention to your balances. Using that credit card correctly will improve your credit score, but credit card debt can easily get out of hand, so it's best not to spend more than you can afford.