What banks will accept from a visitor

Yes, you can open a bank account in Canada as a visitor, but the banks that will do it are fewer than those serving residents. Most major banks—Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto-Dominion (TD), Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), and Bank of Montreal (BMO)—will open accounts for visitors, but they require a valid passport and proof of a Canadian address. The address requirement is the real barrier: you need either a hotel confirmation, an Airbnb booking, a letter from someone letting you stay with them, or a temporary rental agreement. A mailing address alone does not work.

Some banks are stricter than others. RBC and TD tend to be more flexible with visitors than smaller regional banks. Credit unions vary by province—some will open accounts for visitors, others will not. Online banks like Tangerine and EQ Bank generally do not open accounts for non-residents, though their rules change. Call ahead before you go in; a 10-minute phone call saves you a wasted trip.

The account type matters. Most banks will open a basic chequing account for a visitor. Savings accounts, investment accounts, and credit products are much harder to access without permanent residency or a work permit. If you only need to receive money or make local payments during your stay, a chequing account is what you are looking for.

Key Takeaways

  • Major banks like RBC, TD, Scotiabank, and BMO will open chequing accounts for visitors, but you must show a valid passport and proof of a Canadian address during your stay.
  • Proof of address can be a hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, letter from a host, or short-term rental agreement—not just a mailing address.
  • Online banks and smaller credit unions often refuse visitor accounts, so confirm by phone before visiting a branch.
  • You can open a basic chequing account as a visitor, but savings accounts, credit cards, and investment products are restricted to residents or work permit holders.
  • Bring your passport, proof of address, and proof of identity from your home country; some banks also ask for a reference from your employer or a Canadian contact.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your passport—it is the primary document every bank will ask for. Make sure it is valid for the entire duration of your stay. A photocopy is not enough; banks need to see the original.

Bring proof of your Canadian address. This is the document most visitors forget. A hotel booking confirmation, Airbnb receipt, or a letter from the person whose home you are staying in will work. The letter should include their name, address, phone number, and a statement that you are staying with them. If you are in a short-term rental, bring the booking confirmation or lease. The address on the proof must match what you give the bank.

Bring a second form of ID from your home country if you have one—a driver's license, national ID card, or travel document. Some banks ask for this; others do not. It takes 30 seconds to have it ready.

Some banks ask for proof of income or employment, especially if you plan to deposit large sums. A letter from your employer or a recent pay stub works. If you are self-employed or a student, bring whatever documentation shows your source of funds. This is less common for basic chequing accounts but more common if you are trying to open a savings account or access credit.

How long the process takes and what happens next

Opening an account in person at a branch usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. The bank will verify your identity, confirm your address, run a check against their fraud database, and set up your account on the spot. You will leave with a debit card, online banking access, and account details. The debit card itself may take 5 to 10 business days to arrive by mail, so ask the bank if they can issue a temporary card or provide your card number immediately for online use.

Some banks offer same-day or next-day debit card issuance at the branch if you ask. This is not may provide, but it is worth requesting when you open the account. If you need to make payments before the card arrives, you can use online banking to set up bill payments or transfers once your account is active.

If you are opening the account remotely—by phone or online—the process is slower and often impossible. Most banks require visitors to come in person. A few may allow you to start the process online and complete it in a branch, but this varies. Call the bank's visitor or international customer line to ask what is possible before you arrive in Canada.

Fees and minimum balances

Most visitor chequing accounts have no monthly fee if you maintain a minimum balance, usually between $1,000 and $1,500. If your balance drops below that, you pay a monthly service fee of $10 to $15. Some banks waive the minimum for the first few months. Ask about this when you open the account.

Debit card transactions are free at the bank's own ATMs. Using another bank's ATM costs $1.50 to $3.50 per transaction. International transfers out of Canada cost $15 to $50 depending on the destination country and the bank. Domestic transfers between Canadian banks are free if you set them up online.

If you overdraw your account, the bank charges an overdraft fee of $35 to $45 per occurrence. Some banks offer overdraft protection, which links your account to a credit line or savings account to prevent overdrafts. This is worth setting up if you plan to stay for more than a few weeks.

What happens when you leave Canada

You can keep your Canadian bank account open after you leave, but the bank may close it if there is no activity for 12 to 24 months. Check your bank's policy when you open the account. If you plan to return to Canada or receive money from Canadian sources, keeping the account open is convenient.

If you want to close the account, visit a branch or call the bank. They will issue a final statement and close it within a few business days. Any remaining balance will be sent to you by cheque or transferred to another account you specify. Make sure your forwarding address is on file so you receive the cheque.

If you leave the country and do not close the account, the bank may eventually close it for inactivity and send any remaining balance to the unclaimed property program run by your province. Retrieving money from unclaimed property takes longer than closing the account yourself, so do it before you leave.

Alternatives if a bank refuses you

If a major bank turns you down, try a credit union in the province where you are staying. Credit unions have different rules than banks and sometimes accept visitors. Call ahead to confirm. In British Columbia, Coast Capital and BlueShore Financial have been known to open accounts for visitors; in Ontario, Meridian and Tangerine (online) sometimes do. Rules change, so ask.

If you only need to receive money, consider a money transfer service like Wise, PayPal, or Remitly. These services do not require a Canadian address and can deposit funds directly to your home country account. They charge a fee for transfers, but the fee is often lower than a bank's international transfer fee.

If you need to make payments while you are in Canada, ask the person or business you owe money to whether they accept payment by credit card, PayPal, or another digital wallet. Many Canadian businesses accept these methods, and you can use your home country card or digital account without opening a Canadian bank account.

How visitor accounts differ from resident accounts

Visitor accounts are chequing-only. You cannot open a savings account, TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account), RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan), or investment account as a visitor. These products require permanent residency, a work permit, or a study permit. If you become a resident or get a work permit later, you can upgrade your account or open new ones.

Visitor accounts have lower transaction limits. Some banks cap the amount you can transfer internationally or withdraw daily. These limits exist to reduce fraud risk. Ask your bank what the limits are on your account.

Visitor accounts do not build Canadian credit history. The account itself does not appear on your credit report, and you cannot build a credit score from it. If you later become a resident and want to borrow money, you will start with no credit history. This is not a problem for your visitor account, but it is worth knowing if you plan to stay longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Insurance Number to open a bank account as a visitor?

No. A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work in Canada or file taxes, but not to open a bank account. Your passport and proof of address are sufficient. If you later get a work permit or become a resident, you can provide your SIN to the bank, but it is not needed upfront.

Can I open a bank account online as a visitor without visiting a branch?

Most major banks require you to visit a branch in person to open an account as a visitor. Online banks like Tangerine and EQ Bank do not open accounts for non-residents. Some banks may let you start the process online and finish it in a branch, but this varies. Call your bank before you arrive to ask what is possible.

What if I do not have a fixed Canadian address yet?

You need some proof of address, even if it is temporary. A hotel booking for your first week, an Airbnb confirmation, or a letter from someone saying you can stay with them all work. If you are arriving without a booking, book a hotel for at least your first night and use that confirmation. You can update your address later once you have a permanent one.

Can I use my visitor account to send money back to my home country?

Yes, but it will cost you. International transfers from a Canadian bank typically cost $15 to $50 and take 3 to 5 business days. The exchange rate the bank uses is usually worse than the mid-market rate. For frequent or large transfers, a service like Wise or OFX may be cheaper. Ask your bank for their international transfer fee before you open the account.

What happens if I overstay my visitor status?

Your bank account itself will not be affected by your immigration status. However, if you become a resident or get a work permit, you should update your account information with the bank. If you leave Canada and your account becomes inactive, the bank may close it. Your immigration status and your bank account are separate matters, but it is best to keep your bank informed of any changes to your status.