Credit cards · Students

Best student credit cards in Canada

A good first card builds your credit history with no annual fee and no income requirement. The honest catch most lists bury: only a couple of Canadian cards are genuinely income-free — several cards marketed as “student” actually require about $12,000 in annual income.

Verified at the issuer · June 14, 2026

For a student, the right card is simple: no annual fee, an income requirement you can actually meet, and steady rewards on everyday spending. Building a positive payment history early is the real prize — it sets up your future approvals for a car loan, an apartment or a mortgage.

The two CIBC “for Students” cards are the only ones here confirmed to have no minimum income. The BMO CashBack Mastercard and Amex SimplyCash also have no income floor (they just aren’t branded as student cards). Use the card lightly, pay it in full every month, and never carry a balance at these ~20%+ rates.

Only the two CIBC “for Students” cards below are confirmed no-income student cards. Popular picks often called “student-friendly” — the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa and the Tangerine Money-Back card — actually require about $12,000 in annual income, so they are not income-free. Confirm eligibility before applying.

The picks

CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students

CIBC

A genuine student card with no minimum income requirement.

Earns

2% cash back on groceries
1% on gas, EV charging, transport, dining, recurring bills & travel
0.5% on everything else

Welcome offer Up to $125 in the first 4 statement periods (first-purchase bonus + 10% back to $100) — confirm current offer at CIBC

Income / eligibility No minimum income

Rates Purchase 21.99% · Cash advance 22.99%

FX 2.5%

Best for Students who want straightforward cash back with no income hurdle

Verified at the source · 2026-06-14

CIBC Aventura Visa Card for Students

CIBC

A genuine student card with no minimum income that earns travel points.

Earns

1 point/$1 at gas, EV charging, grocery & drug stores
1 point/$2 on everything else

Welcome offer Up to 12,500 Aventura points (conditions apply) — confirm current offer at CIBC

Income / eligibility No minimum income

Rates Purchase 21.99% · Cash advance 22.99%

FX 2.5%

Best for Students who would rather collect travel points than cash back

Verified at the source · 2026-06-14

BMO CashBack Mastercard

BMO

Not student-branded, but has no income requirement — and the strongest grocery rate of the income-free cards.

Earns

3% on groceries (first $500/month)
1% on recurring bills (first $500/month)
0.5% on everything else

Income / eligibility No minimum income

Rates Purchase 21.99% · Cash advance 23.99%

FX 2.5%

Best for Students who buy a lot of groceries and want the highest everyday rate

Verified at the source · 2026-06-14

SimplyCash Card from American Express

American Express

No income floor (Canadian resident at the age of majority) — a simple flat-ish cash-back card.

Earns

2% on gas in Canada
2% on groceries in Canada (up to $300/yr)
1.25% on everything else

Income / eligibility No income requirement

Rates Purchase 21.99%

FX 2.5%

Best for Students who want easy cash back and don’t mind narrower Amex acceptance

Watch out: Amex is accepted at fewer merchants than Visa or Mastercard.

Verified at the source · 2026-06-14

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best student credit card in Canada?

The two CIBC “for Students” cards — the Dividend (cash back) and Aventura (travel points) — are the standouts because they are confirmed to have no minimum income requirement and no annual fee. If you want the highest everyday rate and can be approved, the no-fee BMO CashBack Mastercard also has no income floor.

Do student credit cards have an income requirement?

The genuine ones don’t. The two CIBC “for Students” cards, the BMO CashBack Mastercard and the Amex SimplyCash all have no minimum income. But be careful: cards often described as “student-friendly,” like the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa and Tangerine Money-Back, actually require about $12,000 in annual income.

Will a student card help me build credit?

Yes — that’s the main point. Using a card for small purchases and paying the full balance on time every month builds a positive payment history, which is the biggest factor in your credit score. A solid history as a student makes future approvals (a car loan, an apartment, eventually a mortgage) much easier.

Should I carry a balance on a student card?

No. These cards charge around 20%–22% on balances, which quickly erases any rewards. Treat the card as a debit substitute: only spend what you can repay, and pay the statement in full each month. The value is the credit history and the rewards, never the credit line as a loan.

Educational comparison, not credit advice. Every figure verified against the issuer’s page or reputable Canadian sources on June 14, 2026; welcome offers and intro promos are time-sensitive and change without notice — confirm current terms at the issuer before you apply.