Yes, but the bank decides based on your residency and ties to Canada
You can open a Canadian bank account from outside Canada, but not every bank will do it, and the process depends on whether you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a foreign national. Most major Canadian banks—Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto-Dominion (TD), Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Bank of Montreal (BMO), and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)—will open accounts for people living abroad, but each has different rules about who qualifies and what documents they need.
The key difference is residency status. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living temporarily outside Canada, the process is straightforward. If you are a foreign national, banks treat you as higher risk and may refuse entirely, or require you to have a Canadian address, a Canadian phone number, or proof of an upcoming move to Canada.
The fastest route is usually an online application through the bank's website, followed by a video call with a representative who will verify your identity. Some banks also accept applications by mail or in person at a Canadian branch if you can travel there. Approval typically takes three to ten business days once you submit all required documents.
Key Takeaways
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents can open accounts from abroad through most major banks, but foreign nationals face stricter requirements or may be refused.
- You will need a valid passport or travel document, proof of address (yours, not a Canadian one), and sometimes proof of income or employment.
- Online applications with video verification are the fastest method and available from most banks; mail and in-person applications take longer.
- Some banks require a Canadian phone number or address to open an account from abroad, while others do not—call the bank directly to confirm their current policy.
- Once your account is open, you can fund it by wire transfer from your current bank, though international wire fees apply and the transfer takes three to five business days.
What Canadian banks require from people living abroad
Every bank will ask for proof of identity and proof of address. For identity, bring a valid passport, travel document, or national ID card. For address, provide a recent utility bill, lease agreement, or government-issued document showing your current address—this does not have to be in Canada.
Banks also want to know your employment status and source of income. This can be a recent pay stub, a letter from your employer, tax returns from the past year, or proof of pension or investment income. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, bring business registration documents and recent bank statements showing income deposits.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents usually stop there. Foreign nationals often face an additional step: proof of ties to Canada or proof of an upcoming move. This might be a job offer letter from a Canadian employer, a lease for a Canadian address, enrollment in a Canadian school, or a letter from a Canadian relative confirming sponsorship. Some banks skip this requirement if you have a Canadian phone number or a Canadian address already lined up.
Ask the bank in advance what they need. Their website lists basic requirements, but policies vary by branch and by individual circumstances. A five-minute phone call to the account-opening team can save you from submitting documents twice.
Online applications and video verification
Most Canadian banks now offer online account opening with video verification, and this is the fastest method if you are living abroad. You start on the bank's website, fill in your personal information, upload photos of your documents (passport, proof of address, proof of income), and then book a video call with a bank representative.
During the video call, the representative will ask you to hold up your documents to the camera, confirm your identity, and answer questions about your employment and the source of your funds. They may ask why you are opening an account in Canada, whether you plan to move back, and how you intend to use the account. Be straightforward: banks are checking for money laundering risk, not judging your reasons.
The call usually takes ten to twenty minutes. Once it is done, the bank will review your application and send you an email within three to ten business days confirming whether your account is open. Some banks approve you the same day; others take longer if they need to verify employment or income with a third party.
You will receive your account number and online banking login details by email. You can start using the account immediately for transfers and bill payments, though some banks hold a new account for a few days before allowing large withdrawals or international transfers.
Mail and in-person applications
If you prefer not to do a video call, or if the bank does not offer video verification in your country, you can apply by mail. Download the application form from the bank's website, print it, fill it out by hand, and mail it along with photocopies of your documents to the address listed on the form. Include a cover letter explaining who you are, where you live, and why you are opening a Canadian account.
Mail applications take longer—typically four to six weeks from the time the bank receives your envelope. International mail is slow and sometimes gets lost, so consider using a tracked courier service like DHL or FedEx if you want proof of delivery.
If you are able to travel to Canada, you can walk into any branch of the bank and open an account in person. Bring your original documents (not photocopies), and a representative will process your application on the spot. This is the fastest method if you are physically present, and you may walk out with a debit card the same day. Some banks require an appointment; call ahead.
Funding your account from abroad
Once your account is open, you need to put money in it. The most common method is an international wire transfer from your current bank to your new Canadian account. You will need your Canadian account number, the bank's routing number (also called the transit number), and the bank's SWIFT code. Your Canadian bank will provide all three when you open the account.
International wire transfers typically take three to five business days and cost between $15 and $50 USD depending on your current bank. Some banks charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the amount transferred. Ask your current bank what they charge before you send money.
A second option is a money transfer service like Wise (formerly TransferWise), OFX, or Remitly. These services often charge lower fees than banks—sometimes 1 to 2 percent of the amount—and the money arrives in two to three business days. You will need your Canadian account details to set up the transfer.
A third option, if you are moving to Canada soon, is to carry cash or a cashier's check and deposit it in person at a Canadian branch. This is free but only works if you are traveling to Canada and can visit a branch.
Which banks are most accessible from abroad
RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC all accept applications from people living outside Canada, but their policies and ease of process vary. RBC and TD have the most streamlined online processes and accept applications from the widest range of countries. Scotiabank and BMO are slightly more restrictive with foreign nationals but still accept applications if you have ties to Canada. CIBC is the most conservative and may refuse if you cannot prove a Canadian connection.
Online-only banks like Tangerine and EQ Bank also accept applications from abroad and have simpler requirements, though they offer fewer services (no physical branches, limited phone support). If you only need a basic savings or chequing account and do not plan to visit a branch, these banks are often faster to open.
Credit unions vary by province. Some accept applications from abroad; others do not. If you have a preference for a specific credit union, contact them directly to ask whether they will open an account for you.
What happens if a bank refuses you
If a bank says no, it is usually because you are a foreign national without ties to Canada, or because you are applying from a country the bank considers high-risk for money laundering. You have a few options.
First, try a different bank. Just because RBC refuses does not mean TD will. Each bank has its own risk assessment, and what one bank sees as too risky, another may accept.
Second, if you are a foreign national, strengthen your ties to Canada before applying again. Get a job offer letter from a Canadian employer, sign a lease for a Canadian apartment, or enroll in a Canadian school. Then reapply with that proof.
Third, if you are moving to Canada within the next few months, wait until you arrive and open an account in person. Banks are much more willing to open accounts for people who are physically present and can show a Canadian address.
Fourth, consider an online bank or a credit union in the province where you have the strongest connection. These institutions sometimes have more flexible policies than the big five banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Canadian address to open an account from abroad?
Not always. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can use their current address abroad. Foreign nationals may need a Canadian address or proof of an upcoming move, depending on the bank. Call the bank's account-opening team and ask directly—their website may not list this requirement clearly.
Can I open an account if I do not have a Canadian phone number?
Yes, most banks will accept an international phone number. However, some banks prefer a Canadian number for account security and customer service. If you do not have one yet, ask whether it is required before you apply. If it is, you can get a Canadian phone number through services like Google Voice or Skype before you open the account.
How long does it take to open an account from abroad?
Online applications with video verification take three to ten business days. Mail applications take four to six weeks. In-person applications at a Canadian branch take one day. The timeline depends on how quickly you submit documents and how quickly the bank verifies your information.
What if my employer is outside Canada—will the bank still open an account for me?
Yes. Banks care about proof of income, not where you work. Bring a recent pay stub, employment letter, or bank statements showing regular deposits from your employer. Foreign employment is not a barrier.
Can I open a joint account with someone in Canada?
Yes, but both account holders must complete the verification process. If the other person is in Canada, they can do their part in person at a branch, which may speed things up. Coordinate with them and the bank about the order of steps.