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:
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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
2. 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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3. 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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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.
Key takeaways
You can get credit cards without credit checks in Canada, although you might be limited to secured, prepaid or student cards.
Getting authorized on someone else’s account is another way to avoid a credit check.
To get approved for a no credit check credit card in Canada, you need to be the age of majority and a resident of Canada. Expect to start with a low credit limit and level up over time.
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)
Not a Canadian citizen? Find out what credit cards you can qualify for as a temporary resident.
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:
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 an application. 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.
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 are 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 the 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.
Expert insight: How do secured credit cards help consumers build their credit score?
"The key is access to credit. People with new or damaged credit scores struggle to get approved for some favorable credit products, which prevents them from building or rehabilitating their credit score. The main reason why they’re denied is the high risk of default creditors can sense.
By securing their credit cards, this risk disappears or diminishes and the consumer now has an opportunity to have credit and build it through time with a positive and consistent track record. I would recommend consumers that have limited access to credit to cautiously consider these options."
L. Edmund Rast Chair of Business and Professor, Department of Marketing
How do credit scores work in Canada for credit cards?
Credit scores in Canada range from 300 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.
We asked Canadians which loan products they used over the past year. According to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey March 2026, almost one-third of Canadians (30%) used credit cards, the top choice ahead of lines of credit (18%), cash advance apps (10%) and mortgages (9%). Business loans (2%), RRSP/investment loans (7%) and car loans/leases (8%) were the least utilized types of loans.
Many people rely on credit cards as a financial backup plan. Based on the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025, 15% of Canadians said they would use a credit card to cover an unexpected $1,000 emergency expense. The only more popular options were dipping into disposable income (25%) or emergency funds (28%).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many banks and credit card providers let you check your credit card eligibility online by filling out a simple form. This is known as a "soft" credit check, which doesn't impact your credit report or score. Lenders conduct a "hard" check when you submit a full application, which reveals more information about your debt history and (usually) has a slightly negative impact on your credit score.
Sources
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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.
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