How to Open a Bank Account in Canada From Abroad

How To Open a Bank Account Online in Canada (Even Without Proof of Residency)

Jun 1, 2021

Canada is a beautiful place to work, study, or live. If you're thinking about moving to Canada, you may want to open a bank account before arriving in the country. Opening a bank account in Canada can be difficult if you're not yet a resident. However, it's not impossible, and contacting a Canadian bank and requesting their assistance could get you the result you'll need.

Your success in opening an account could also depend on your country of origin. Opening an account from the US, for example, is likely to be easier due to established relationships between banks. In this article, we'll explore what you can do to open an account, even if you're not yet a resident.

Opening a Canadian Bank Account as a Non-Citizen or Resident

Canadian banks will typically require you to be resident in the country before considering opening an account for you. This means you'll need proof of address, identity documents, immigration documents, and a government-issued reference number to progress your bank account application. That's not always the case, though, and we've shared some other alternatives below.

Your Options for Opening an Account in Canada

Here are the various choices you have when it comes to opening an account with a bank in Canada:

Use a "Correspondent" Bank: Some banks will already have relationships with Canadian banks, and if that's the case, you may be able to approach your home bank and ask for their assistance in opening a Canadian bank account. However, not all banks have these relationships, and even if they do, a Canadian bank may not allow you to open an account.
Open an International Account: This is where you open an overseas account with a Canadian bank. You will typically need to be a high-net-worth individual, and you'll need to deposit a large amount of money and maintain a high balance in the account.
Talk to a Canadian Bank about Opening an Account as a Non-Resident: This is one of your best options. It's always worth contacting a Canadian bank and asking them if you can open an account outside the country, especially if you're planning to move there soon. They may be able to accommodate you.
Visit Canada to Open an Account: This isn't an ideal option as it may entail additional travel (especially if you didn't already have a pre-move trip planned to look for housing), but you can open an account locally in Canada by visiting a bank in person. You will need certain documentation, so always call ahead to see the requirements before you make the journey.
Open a Wise Multi-Currency Account: Often the easiest option for opening a Canadian account without travelling to the country, a Wise Multi-Currency Account allows you to create a "virtual" account in Canada that you can then use as a regular bank account.

Types of Canadian Bank Accounts

Most Canadian bank accounts arechequing or savings accounts. Chequing accounts work like current accounts in other countries and provide services such as:

Online banking access;
Bills and other payments;
Account transfers;
Bank transfers and direct debits;
Recurring payments;
Debit cards;
ATM withdrawals.

Savings accounts allow you to save over time and will pay interest on your savings. There are often restrictions on how often you can withdraw money from a savings account. Both chequing and savings accounts will provide you with:

A routing number that identifies your bank;
An account number that identifies your account.

Getting the Required Identity Documents

Canadian banks have specific documentation and identity requirements if you want to open a bank account. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada lists these in detail. Briefly, you will need to provide a combination of the following:

A government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver's license;
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) card issued by the Government of Canada;
A Permanent Resident card or an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) form IMM 1000, IMM 1442, or IMM 5292;
Certain identification issued by state or provincial authorities;
A bank, credit, or debit card;
Various other ID documents.

You may also have someone in good standing with the financial institution or in the community confirm your identity as part of your ID requirements. Ultimately, your best option at opening a Canadian bank account as a non-resident will be to contact a Canadian bank and ask about the options they have available. They'll be able to talk you through what you need to do.

Visiting Canada to Open an Account

In many cases, your best option for opening an account will be visiting Canada and starting your bank account face-to-face. Contact the bank, first of all, to check what their requirements are for opening accounts for people who intend to become temporary or permanent residents. Several banks provide specialist services for new immigrants, notably RBC, the Bank of Montreal and CIBC.

For many who want a traditional bank account, your best option will be to contact a Canadian bank with your requirements. Some banks have specialist international account opening teams that can work with you to setup a bank account, even if you're not yet in the country. We've listed some bank requirements and contact details below for the major Canadian banks. You will also require your immigration papers as you'll need the details to apply for an account.

Royal Bank of Canada

"Account opening requirements include two forms of valid ID such as passport, national ID card with photo or driver's license. You will also require a proof of residential address like a voter's card or utility bill."

The Royal Bank of Canada does provide specialist support for newcomers to the country.

Contacting the RBC

RBC provides international toll-free numbers and collect numbers.

Scotiabank

"To apply for a Scotiabank account you will need one valid primary piece of government-issued identification, with photograph and signature like a passport or driver's license, a secondary piece of information like a credit card, debit card or tax ID card, and a proof of address like a utility bill or copy of a lease or letter from a landlord. If you are a non-resident customer, a reference letter or a current account statement from a reputable bank is required."

Contacting Scotiabank

You can call Scotiabank on 416-701-7200.

Bank of Montreal

"You will need to bring one piece of government issued, photo identification with you. Your photo identification must be valid, original, and in good condition. The eligible piece of identification must contain a photo and be issued by a government agency, including a federal government, (for example, Canada, the United States or other foreign government), or by a province/territory/state level government. You will also need to bring secondary identification like a bank card."

The Bank of Montreal does provide specialist support for newcomers to the country.

Contacting Bank of Montreal

You can call Bank of Montreal on 416-286-9992.

TD Bank

"You will require two pieces of identification (such as a driver's license, passport, etc.) and a Social Insurance Number for tax reporting purposes."

Contacting TD Bank

TD Bank provides a range of international numbers.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

"To open a personal bank account, you'll need to provide one piece of valid, original and not substantially defaced government-issued photo identification from an acceptable identification list. You will also need to provide additional identification such as a bank card or foreign passport "

CIBC does provide specialist accounts for foreign workers.

Contacting the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

You can call CIBC on 1-888-872-2422 or 1-902-420-2422.

Open a Wise Multi-Currency Account

If you wish to open an account in Canada without travelling to the country, your easiest option is opening an account with Wise's Multi-Currency Account.

Wise is a popular online currency exchange provider offering low-cost ways to send money overseas, and Wise's Multi-Currency Account is their flagship account offering. A Wise Multi-Currency Account provides many advantages of a bank account in Canada without the residency requirements and is the perfect solution for a digital nomad. With Wise, you can get a dedicated Canadian bank account number, transit number, and institution number and can easily exchange money between different currencies.

It's important to note that the Wise Multi-Currency Account does not function exactly like a checking account, and you won't get all of the choices you would from a regular bank. Consequently, we don't recommend that it be the only account you hold in Canada if you are moving to the country. Still, it is a great option to get started, especially considering that your Borderless account seamlessly gives you access to Wise's international exchange rates and will make moving your money from your home country to Canada easier.

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Source: https://www.monito.com/en/wiki/open-bank-account-canada-even-without-proof-residency