Yes, you can get credit cards without credit checks in Canada and there are several types of no-credit-check credit cards to choose from, which include secured, prepaid and student credit cards. You can also avoid a credit check if you sign up as an authorized user on someone else’s account.
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to get a regular unsecured credit card without submitting to a credit check. Our guide below explains the four ways you can get credit cards without credit checks.
4 ways to get credit cards with no credit check in Canada
Credit cards with no credit check allow you to get a credit card without needing to submit to a hard inquiry on your credit file. Many people want to get no-credit-check credit cards because they have bad credit or no credit history. Others want these types of cards to avoid damage to their credit scores from a hard inquiry. Some of the main types of credit cards with no credit check you may want to consider include:
1. Get a secured credit card with no credit check
Secured credit cards require you to put a deposit down to secure your credit limit. Your provider can use this deposit to pay off your balance if you default on your payments. Otherwise, you’ll get it back when you close out your card and make your last payment. You can use secured credit cards to build your credit score, but you have to pay interest on them and they usually don’t come with benefits or rewards.
Compare secured credit cards without credit checks
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2. Get a prepaid credit card with no credit check
Prepaid cards are available from financial institutions as well as at your local grocery store in some cases. All you need to do is buy or sign up for one, and preload money onto your account to start spending. When that money runs out, you simply load in more (kind of like making payments in advance). These cards don’t charge interest or come with rewards and they won’t help you build credit.
Compare prepaid credit cards with no credit check
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3. Sign up as an authorized user on another credit card
If you can’t find a suitable no-credit-check credit card in Canada or you’d like a more premium credit card without needing to meet eligibility criteria, you can become an authorized user on a friend’s or family member’s account. This will let you spend money on their card without the need for a credit check. Just be aware that the benefits and rewards on the card will remain in the primary cardholder’s name.
Compare credit cards that allow you to sign up as an authorized user
4. Get a student credit card with no credit check
Many student credit cards don’t require you to submit to a credit check, or at the very least they will accept you with little or no credit history. These cards tend to come with few benefits and you’ll have to be a post-secondary student at an eligible institution in order to qualify. You can use these cards to build your credit score and you’ll have to pay interest on them. They are also more likely than other no-credit-check credit cards to come with benefits and rewards.
How to compare credit cards with no credit check in Canada
You can compare the following features to find the best no-credit-check credit cards for your personal situation:
Type of credit card. You’ll want to think about which type of credit card with no credit check makes the most sense for you. Choose a prepaid card or sign up as an authorized user on someone else’s account if you simply want to shop online. Select a secured or student credit card if you want to build credit.
Interest rates. Most credit cards with no credit check charge 19.99% for purchases and 21.99% for cash advances. You should avoid paying more than this wherever possible. You may also be able to qualify for a lower interest rate with some providers if you shop around.
Eligibility criteria. You can qualify with many no credit history credit cards as long as you’re the age of majority in your province and a permanent resident of Canada. If you can’t meet these criteria, you may want to consider a prepaid credit card.
Provider. When deciding on a credit card with no credit check, you can choose from many providers. Look for a card with an establishment you trust and make sure that the card is tailored to your lifestyle.
You can follow these steps to apply for credit cards with no credit check:
Compare credit cards with no credit check. Look at a number of cards from different providers to find the card that makes the most sense for you.
Apply for the card of your choice. Apply for the credit card of your choice by visiting the main site of the provider you’re interested in.
Fill out application details. Provide personal information such as your full name, address, email and phone number to start your application.
Review final details. Read the fine print of your contract so that you understand the terms and conditions of your no-credit-check credit card.
Click submit. Click submit on your application or call your credit card provider directly to apply over the phone.
Tips for applying for credit cards with no credit check
While each provider’s criteria is different, there are some general things you can do to increase your chances of getting approved for credit cards with no credit check:
Check eligibility criteria. Check criteria for the credit card you want, including minimum income, age and residency status requirements.
Find out your credit score. Each year, you can get a free copy of your credit report from Equifax and TransUnion. Knowing your credit score will help you narrow down your card options. Correct any errors in your report to optimize your score.
Gather your paperwork. Make sure you have the documents you need on hand before making an application (for example, bank account details and annual income details).
Include all income on your application. List all income on your credit card application, including part-time and full-time job income, child support, trust fund payouts, investment income, pensions and scholarships. You can also include spouse or partner income.
How do credit scores work in Canada for credit cards?
Credit scores in Canada range from 300 up to 900, and credit card providers typically look for a credit score of 660 or higher when approving the most popular cards at higher limits. That said, whether or not you have a low credit score or no credit history at all, there are still credit cards on the market you can apply for – including secured credit cards or a prepaid card.
Credit scores are based on your credit report from one of the two credit bureaus in Canada, Equifax and TransUnion. Your credit report has information about all of the different debts you currently have, your payment history, any recent credit inquiries and more. It’s meant to give potential creditors a snapshot of how well you manage debt.
There are many credit cards with no credit check you can choose from if you have bad credit or no credit. You may also want to consider these cards if you’d like to protect your credit report from a hard inquiry. Compare different types of no-credit-check credit cards and find out which one could make the most sense for your personal situation.
Yes, you can usually use all of the credit cards listed in this article if you have poor credit. That said, you may need to meet other eligibility criteria such as having a certain income or meeting an age threshold. You can find out more about getting credit cards for low credit scores here.
Yes. The best no-credit-check credit card to use if you want to build your credit score is a secured credit card. You can also check out our list of credit builder credit cards for more information about suitable options.
You can apply for a no-credit-check credit card in Canada in about 10-15 minutes online and usually find out within moments if you have been approved. If a provider needs to consider your application further, it may take up to two weeks to receive a response. It's usually a good idea to do an eligibility check first before making a formal application to determine your chances of approval.
Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, and an Associate’s Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire’s coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. In her spare time, Claire enjoys rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.
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