No credit check credit cards

Is it possible to get a credit card without a credit check?

Yes. In Canada, it’s possible 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 include:

• Secured credit card
• Prepaid credit card
• Become an authorized user
• Student credit card

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.

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Min. Required Deposit (low-high)Min. Required Deposit (high-low)Purchase Interest Rate (low-high)Purchase Interest Rate (high-low)Cash Advance Rate (low-high)Cash Advance Rate (high-low)Annual Fee (low-high)Annual Fee (high-low)

Product	Min. Required Deposit	Purchase Interest Rate	Cash Advance Rate	Annual Fee
Neo Secured Credit Card	$50	19.99%-29.99%	22.99%-31.99%	$5 or $14.99	Earn an average of 5% cashback at thousands of retail partners with no credit check. Your cashback rate grows with your Neo Everyday Account balance.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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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.

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Product	Monthly Fee	Transaction Fee	Foreign Transaction Fee	Rewards	Feature
EQ Bank Card	$0	$0	0%	0.5% cashback	Get 1.25% – 3.50% interest on your money and get 0.5% cashback on every purchase.	Get this EQ Bank card when you sign up for the EQ Bank Personal Account.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
KOHO Extra Prepaid Card	$12/month or $144 annually	$0	0%	Up to 5% cash back	Use promo code FINDERCODE and receive a $20 cash bonus into your KOHO balance once you make your first purchase within 30 days of signing up.	Earn 1.5% instant cash back on groceries, eating and drinking and transportation, and 0.25% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, earn 3% interest on your entire balance. Enjoy a free 30-day trial.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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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

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Welcome Offer (low-high)Welcome Offer (high-low)Rewards (low-high)Rewards (high-low)Purchase Interest Rate (low-high)Purchase Interest Rate (high-low)Annual Fee (low-high)Annual Fee (high-low)Min. Credit Score (low-high)Min. Credit Score (high-low)

Product	Welcome Offer	Rewards	Purchase Interest Rate	Annual Fee	Min. Credit Score	Description
Promoted BMO CashBack Mastercard	5% cashback	Up to 3% cashback	21.99%	$0	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months. Plus, get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 2% fee applies to transferred balances.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card	10% cash back	Up to 2% cash back	20.95%	$0	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 months. Valid until August 31, 2025. Plus, get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Scotiabank SCENE+ Visa Card	5,000 points	Up to 2x points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Earn up to 5,000 Scene+ points in the first 3 months. Apply by October 31, 2025.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
BMO AIR MILES Mastercard	1,200 Miles	Up to 3x Air Miles for every $25 spent	21.99%	$0	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get up to 1,200 AIR MILES Bonus Miles (enough for $120 towards purchases with AIR MILES Cash). Get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 2% fee applies to transferred balances.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
SimplyCash Card from American Express	Up to $100 in bonus cash back	Up to 2% cash back	21.99%	$0	Min. recommended credit score: 700	In your first 3 months earn a bonus 5% cash back on all purchases, on top of your everyday cash back earn rates (up to $2,000 in purchases). That’s up to $100 in bonus cash back.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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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 no credit check credit cards 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.
• Fees. What matters more to you—low cost or high perks? Cards with low fees often come with limited benefits. Cards with annual fees might offer travel discounts, rewards points, free additional cards, generous welcome offers and other sweet bonuses.
• Eligibility criteria. You can qualify with many no credit history credit cards as long as you’re the age of majority in your province, you’re a permanent resident of Canada and you have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). 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.

Who can qualify for a no credit check credit card?

It depends on the credit card, but most providers require you to meet these basic eligibility criteria:

• Be the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19 years old)
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident with a valid Canadian address
• Have a working bank account (this isn’t always a requirement—it varies between providers)

What is the credit limit for a no credit check credit card in Canada?

Secured credit cards you can get without a credit check usually limit your spending to the amount you provide upfront as a security deposit. Because you determine the size of your deposit, the card issuer may not impose a maximum credit limit.

Similarly, prepaid cards only let you spend what you have in your account. If you’re added as an authorized user on someone else’s card account, your credit limit is based on their credit limit.

How to get a credit card with no credit

You can follow these steps to apply for credit cards with no credit check:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Fill out an application. Provide personal information such as your full name, address, email and phone number to start your application.
4. 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.
5. Click submit. Click submit on your application or call your credit card provider directly to apply over the phone.

It can take minutes up to a week to find out if you’ve been approved. If so, you’ll likely receive your card in the mail within 10 business days. Login to your card account online or phone your provider to activate your card, so you can start spending.

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.
• Apply for pre-approval. Finding out if you’re pre-approved can give you an idea of the likelihood of getting officially approved when you submit a full application—although it’s not a guarantee. What’s nice is that you can get pre-approved without hurting your credit 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.
• Double-check your application. Reread your credit card application thoroughly before submitting it, as mistakes and errors can delay the approval process or even result in a mistaken rejection.
• Plan to level up over time. If you have a bad credit score, don’t expect to qualify for a high credit limit right away. If approved, you’ll likely get a modest limit, which could increase over time as you use your card responsibly and establish a good credit history. Eventually, you may even qualify for a card with premium perks and rewards.

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.

Most Canadians planned to dip into credit in Q1 2025

When asked at the start of the year if they would take out a loan product over the next three months, more than half of Canadians (54%) said they would, according to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025.

Credit cards were the product of choice (12%), followed by lines of credit (11%) and vehicle loans (6%). Payday loans (4%), business loans (3%) and debt consolidation loans (3%) were the least preferred types of credit.

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Bottom line

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.

Credit cards with no credit check FAQs

• Which credit card can I get without a credit score?

  The types of credit cards you may be able to get without a credit score include secured cards, prepaid cards and student credit cards. You can also consider asking another credit card holder to add you as an authorized user on their credit card account, although they should understand that this might impact their credit score and they would be responsible for your balance if you don't repay it.

• What are the best no credit check credit cards?

  It depends on what you need them for. If you're looking to build your credit history, you'll likely want to sign up for a secured credit card or a student card if you qualify. If you just need a credit card to spend money online and pay bills, you might like to get a prepaid card or sign up as an authorized user on someone else's account. You can also consider getting a Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard from your bank.

• How long does it take to be approved for a no credit check credit card?

  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.

• Can I use a no credit history credit card to build my credit score?

  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.

Written by

Claire Horwood

Associate editor

Claire Horwood was 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. See full bio

Claire's expertise

Claire has written 386 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Personal Loans
• Car Loans
• Business Loans
• Credit Cards