How to open a bank account without proof of address in Canada
Digital bank accounts are easy to open with government-issued ID. You might not need additional proof of residency.
Wondering how to open a bank account without proof of address in Canada? If you need a Canadian bank account as soon as possible, opening an account with a digital bank usually takes just a few minutes. You’ll need to provide proof of identity like a passport or driving licence, but some online banks don’t require additional proof of address.
Canadian banks that normally don’t require proof of address
You can open an account with the following banks that don’t normally need proof of address on top of existing ID requirements like a driver’s licence or passport.
- EQ Bank. This Canada-based digital bank offers a chequing account, savings account, TFSA, US dollar account, GICs and more.
- Simplii Financial. Owned by CIBC, this online bank offers bank accounts, loans, mortgages, investment solutions, international money transfers and more.
- . Koho offers three different account plans, which all let you earn interest on your savings, get cashback on your purchases and spend and manage funds using Koho’s prepaid card.
- Neo Financial. An increasingly popular competitor in the digital banking space, Neo Financial offers a cashback spending card with a chequing account, a high interest savings account, online investing and mortgages.
If you need an account primarily for sending and receiving money abroad, consider using an online money transfer service like Wise, Western Union or WorldRemit. These services support a wide variety of payment and receiving methods, and the fees for sending money internationally are low compared to banks.
Compare accounts that don’t normally require additional proof of address
How to get a bank account without proof of address
Opening a bank account is pretty straightforward. This is especially true if you go with an online bank, which is your best best if you want a simple process with minimal requirements. Here’s how it works:
- Compare digital banks. Compare fees and features of digital banks that don’t normally require a proof of address on top of government-issued ID.
- Go to your bank’s platform. Visit the website of the bank you want to go with, or download its mobile app.
- Apply for an account. Sign up for an account—this can usually be done in a few minutes. Provide basic information like your name, date of birth, address and Social Insurance Number.
- Verify your identity. You may need to provide or upload a copy of valid government-issued photo ID like a driver’s licence, passport or permanent resident card.
- Begin using your account. Access your account online or via mobile app. While waiting for you card to arrive in the mail, begin using your account features.
What counts as proof of address in Canada?
Here’s a list of proof of address documents in Canada you can usually use when banks want to confirm your residency. Bank policies vary, so speak to a representative or check online to find out which proof of residency documents are acceptable.
- Recent utility bill (phone, water, gas, electricity, cable etc.)
- Recent bank statement
- Recent credit card statement
- Recent pay stub
- Signed and dated employment letter
- Driver’s licence issued in Canada
- Vehicle ownership or registration document (if address is shown)
- Most recent CRA Notice of Assessment
- Government cheque or cheque stub (with name and address)
- Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) or of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4AP)
- Rental or mortgage agreement
- Property tax receipt
- Voter registration card
- Insurance policy
- P.O. Box rental agreement
- University acceptance or enrollment letter
What ID do you need to open a bank account in Canada?
Check out the documents required to open bank account in Canada with major banks like TD, CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO and National Bank.
| Bank | Required ID |
|---|---|
 TD Canada Trust |
|
 CIBC | Additional proof of address not required if you can present one of the following:
|
 RBC |
List A:
List B:
|
 Scotiabank | Valid Canada-issued government ID with your name, photo and signature.
|
 BMO |
If you can’t provide photo ID, BMO accepts 2 documents from a reliable source with your name, address and date of birth. |
 National Bank | Valid Canada-issued government ID such as:
Online applicants will need to submit a selfie and photo ID for comparison or sign into online banking for any other bank where they have an account. |
Can I open a bank account in Canada if I live in the US?
No, you can’t open a bank account in Canada if you live in the US because you must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (similar to SSNs in the US) and provide valid Canadian government-issued ID to open an account in Canada.
Can I open a Canadian bank account from outside Canada?
Yes, it’s possible to open a Canadian bank from outside Canada if you plan to relocate to the country soon. Several major banks offer packages designed for newcomers to Canada. These come with special perks like:
- Discounted or waived monthly account fees for the first year
- Low or no-fee international money transfers
- Discounted or waived annual fees on select credit cards
- High promotional savings account interest rates
National Bank lets you open a bank account online up to 90 days before arriving in Canada.
Through the CIBC Smart Arrival program, you can open an account up to 12 months before coming to Canada if you’re travelling from an eligible country and have a valid passport as well as a unique client identifier (UCI) issued by the Government of Canada.
Another example is the Scotiabank StartRight program, which allows travellers from certain countries to register for an account up to 18 months in advance of moving to Canada.
Must read: Best bank accounts for newcomers to Canada
Benefits of digital banking
The Canadian Bankers Association reports that eight out of 10 Canadians use online and mobile apps for most of their banking transactions. Around two-third of Canadians use a mobile app for banking. Digital banks are riding the wave of technological innovation, eliminating in-person branches, slashing overhead-related fees and making it possible to manage your money just about anytime, anywhere.
Besides an easy signup process, digital banks tend to have well-developed, easy-to-use online and mobile apps. Everything you need to do can be taken care of online, so there’s no need to go to a physical branch. No physical locations means low operating costs, which translates to low or no account fees.
Plus, digital bank accounts can be used just like traditional bank accounts. Have your income automatically deposited into your account, transfer funds between accounts and send/receive money electronically. Like major banks, digital banks in Canada are federally regulated.
Many digital financial products also charge low fees for international transactions. The EQ Bank Card (a prepaid spending card), comes with 0% foreign transaction fees. The KOHO Extra Prepaid Card only charges 0% for foreign transactions, while the KOHO Extra Prepaid Card charges 0%. The transfer fee for Simplii Financial international money transfers is $0.
If that wasn’t enough, most online financial apps come with tools that help you manage your money. This might include budgeting features, categorized spending, automatic savings plans and rounding-up features.
Open a digital banking account without proof of address
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Alternatives to opening a bank account without proof of address
You don’t necessarily need a bank account to make online purchases or send money to friends and family. If your financial needs are simple and straightforward, consider getting a prepaid card (which is like a debit card) for everyday spending.
If you need to send domestic or international money transfers, consider using a transfer service provider like Western Union, Moneygram, Wise, WorldRemit or Remitly. The requirements for opening an account usually aren’t as strict as a bank account. Plus, money transfer services usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees than banks.
Bottom line
If you just arrived in Canada or just moved to a new house, getting the right documentation to open a new bank account can be a challenge. Many digital banks make it possible to open a bank account without proof of address on top of government-issued ID.
An increasingly popular alternative to traditional banks, online financial institutions tend to come with benefits like low fees and convenient money management options.
Related: Digital banking in Canada
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