Top Account Benefits
Pay no annual fee for the RBC ION+ Visa
Get up to a $48 rebate4 on the annual fee of an eligible credit card so you can keep more money for tuition and takeout.
Plus Other Features
Enjoy unlimited debit transactions
Pay for coffee, groceries, meals, transit, books, and more without extra fees.
Bank on the go with confidence
Get financial support between classes with the RBC Mobile App and access to real advisors with the most ATMs and branch locations across Canada.
Pay for everyday essentials digitally
Spend online safely using a Virtual Visa Debit9 card, included with your student account.
Enjoy unlimited debit transactions
Pay for coffee, groceries, meals, transit, books, and more without extra fees.
Bank on the go with confidence
Get financial support between classes with the RBC Mobile App and access to real advisors with the most ATMs and branch locations across Canada.
Pay for everyday essentials digitally
Spend online safely using a Virtual Visa Debit9 card, included with your student account.
This account may be ideal for you if:
You’re making lots of everyday purchases
Designed if you want to tap, swipe, and pay often without worrying about transaction limits.
You bank on your phone
Great if you like managing your money on the go with the RBC Mobile12 App.
This account may not be ideal for you if:
You’re looking to earn interest
You can pair this account with a savings account to help your money grow faster.
You’re 25 and older or not a full-time student3
You may want to consider another account like the RBC Advantage Banking account.
View Offer DetailsHide Offer Details
Conditions apply. Offer ends November 2, 2026. Complete offer qualifying criteria by January 15, 2027.
Learn MoreAdditional fees may apply depending on your account activity. View the fee details.
What you need to open your account:
- Ages 13+ (14+ in QC)
- Full-time student and/or age 24 and younger3
- Valid government-issued photo ID
Two Ways to Pay with Your Student Account
Get to know the two card options you can get with this student account and what each one does.
Client Card
Your everyday card for in-store spending and accessing your money at ATMs. This card automatically comes with the account.
Virtual Visa Debit9
Your card for online and in-app purchases anywhere Visa is accepted. Use the RBC Mobile app, give us a call, or visit a branch to get yours.
Products That Pair Well with This Student Account
Get a $48 Annual Fee Rebate4 on the RBC ION+ Visa Card
Ideal for students and anyone 24 and younger who want to earn Avion points on everyday purchases.
Get Even More Out of Your RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students
Bank Where Student Life Happens
Access RBC branches and ATMs at over 20 campuses across Canada, plus 1100+ branches and 4000+ ATM locations nationwide.
Keep Your Money Safe
Feel confident that your money is protected with deposit insurancelegal disclaimer23 and stay protected against digital transactions you didn’t make with RBC Digital Banking Security Guaranteelegal disclaimer24.
Card Lock
Easily lock a misplaced debit or credit card in the RBC Mobile app and unlock it just as fast.
Manage Your Money More Confidently
Stay on top of everyday student expenses with budget suggestions, spending insights, and alerts.
Meet NOMI
Personalized Financial Advice in Your Language
Build confidence in managing your money while you study with access to personalized guidance from trusted advisors in more than 100 languages.
Choose an Advisor
Bank with the RBC Mobile12 App
The RBC Mobile app gives you personalized tools and insights so you can save, spend and manage your money with ease.
Fees and Other Benefits
Avion Pointslegal disclaimer 10
Earn a minimum of 1 point per $10 spent once your account is enrolled in the RBC Value Programlegal disclaimer 10
International Money Transfers
Pay no fee for U.S. and international money transferslegal disclaimer 15
Non-sufficient funds (NSF) Fee
$10.00 eachlegal disclaimer 16
Personalized Cheques
1 free book of cheques
Fees apply thereafterlegal disclaimer 26,legal disclaimer 27
Cross Border Debits
$1 each
Bank Drafts
$9.95 each
Overdraft Protectionlegal disclaimer 17
$5/monthlegal disclaimer 18
Overdraft interest will be charged on any negative account balances
Safe deposit box
View fees by safe deposit box size
eStatements
Free
Paper statements
$2.25 without cheque imagelegal disclaimer 19, $2.50 with cheque imagelegal disclaimer 20
Using a PLUS System ATM in Canada or the U.S.legal disclaimer 21
$3 each
Using a PLUS System ATM Outside of Canada or the U.S.legal disclaimer 21,legal disclaimer 22
$5 each
How to Open a Student Account
Not sure where to start? Here’s all the details you need to apply.
To open an account you must be:
- Ages 13+ (14+ in QC)
- A full-time student and/or age 24 and younger
The following documents are required:
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Proof of enrolment may be requested
Ready to apply? Here’s how it works:
To apply using the RBC Mobile app you must be:
- Age 13+ (14+ in QC)
- A full-time student and/or age 24 and younger3
- Able to provide a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g. passport or driver’s licence; proof of enrolment may be required if you’re 25 and older)
- Opening a sole account in your own name
- Living in Canada
Get the RBC Mobile App:
Or text “RBC” to 722722 and we’ll send you the link.
To apply online you must be:
- Age 13+ (14+ in QC)
- A full-time student and/or age 24 and younger3
- Able to provide a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g. passport or driver’s licence; proof of enrolment may be required if you’re 25 and older)
- Opening a sole account in your own name
- Living in Canada
If you don’t meet these requirements or are opening an account on behalf of a full-time student, you can visit a branch or call 1-866-583-9122 to book an appointment with our RBC Advisors.
RBC Advantage Banking Account FAQ
RBC Advantage Banking Account FAQ
A student bank account is a type of chequing account designed specifically for students, offering extra features and benefits that support their financial needs. The RBC Advantage Banking account provides students with no monthly fee and several other helpful perks.
Upon the graduation date you provided when you opened your RBC Advantage Banking Account for students, your monthly fee waiver for full-time students will expire and you’ll be charged the monthly fee for the RBC Advantage Banking account. However, you may be able to qualify for a monthly fee rebate through the Value Program and could pay as little as $0 per month for your account.
Full-time students, including students ages 13+ can open an RBC Advantage Banking Account for students and enjoy unlimited debits in Canada and other great benefits for no monthly fee. Other fees may apply.
To open an RBC Advantage Banking Account for students, you need to be 13+, meet our requirements for a full-time student and provide proof of ID when you apply (for example, a valid driver’s licence or passport).
To be considered a full-time student, you must attend a primary or secondary school or be enrolled in a program at the post-secondary level at a college, university or other educational institution (whether in Canada or not). If you are a post-secondary student, you must take at least 60% of the usual course load for the program in which you are enrolled in any semester. Proof of enrolment may be requested at our discretion.
Yes. You can apply to open an RBC Advantage Banking Account for students online if you are:
- Ages 13+ (14+ in QC)
- A full-time student and/or age 24 and younger3
- Able to provide a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g. passport or driver’s licence; proof of enrolment may be required if you’re 25 and older)
- Opening a sole account in your own name
- Living in Canada
If you are opening an account on behalf of a full-time student, please visit a branch to open an account.
Yes, international students living in Canada can open a bank account in Canada. At RBC, you can open an RBC Advantage Banking Account for students if you meet our definition of a full-time student and reside in Canada at the time you open the account. Learn more about opening a bank account as an international student.
When you have an RBC bank account, you can request a Virtual Visa Debit card, which you can use to make safe, online purchases using the money in your primary chequing account. Simply use the RBC Mobile app, give us a call, or visit a branch to activate yours today.
The RBC Virtual Visa Debit card is a free card linked to your chequing account. You can use it to shop online and in-app wherever Visa is accepted. Add it to your mobile wallet for faster checkout, easy in-app payments, and to pay bills or subscriptions like streaming and utilities.
To activate it using the RBC Mobile app:
- Download the RBC Mobile app and sign in using your Client Card number and password
- Select your primary chequing account, and select the Manage Card page
- Choose ‘Activate your Virtual Visa Debit’ or ‘View Virtual Visa Debit’
- Follow the prompts to activate/view your Virtual Visa Debit card
Visit RBC Virtual Visa Debit for more information.
Students can get AirPods 4 Reward when they open a new RBC Advantage Banking account for students by November 2, 2026.
To qualify for the AirPods 4 Reward, you’ll need to complete two of the following by January 15, 2027:
- Set up and receive a recurring direct deposit
- Set up and make 1 pre-authorized payment
- Complete 1 bill payment
- Register for Interac Autodeposit and send or receive 1 Interac e-Transfer
- Sign up for RBC Virtual Visa Debit and make 1 purchase
1)
Offer available June 2, 2026- November 2, 2026 (“Promotional Period”)
This Promotional Offer is available to any Eligible Student Client, who is a minimum of 13 years of age and older as of November 2, 2026, without a Personal Banking Account with Royal Bank of Canada at the beginning of the Promotional Period or in the three-year period before the start of the Promotional Period, and who otherwise comply with the Terms of the Promotional offer.
To qualify for the Promotional Offer Reward you must open your first new Eligible Personal Banking Account by 9:00 PM EST on November 2, 2026 and complete two (2) of the following Qualifying Criteria by 9:00 PM EST on January 15, 2027 using your Eligible Personal Banking Account:
- Register your Eligible Personal Banking Account for Interac Autodeposit and send or receive one (1) e-Transfer using RBC Online Banking or the RBC Mobile app.
- Request and obtain an RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card and make at least one (1) Qualifying Debit Transaction (as defined in the Note section below) with your Eligible Personal Banking Account.
- Transfer the full amount of your automated and recurring payroll direct deposit to your new Eligible Personal Banking Account. For greater certainty, this means that you will not qualify if you split your payroll deposit from one employer between your new Eligible Personal Banking Account and any other account. We reserve the right to determine what is considered payroll and whether any payroll deposit has been split. The first payment of each PAP must be debited and must clear from your new Eligible Personal Banking Account by 9:00 PM Eastern Time January 15, 2027.
- Set up one (1) pre-authorized monthly payment (“PAP”) – such as a pre-authorized eligible bill payment to a service provider (i.e. utility bill, gym membership) or pre-authorized payment to an RBC mortgage, loan, Royal Credit Line, or contribution to your RBC investment account – from your new Eligible Personal Banking Account. PLEASE NOTE: Any bill payments (pre-authorized or otherwise) made using a Virtual Visa‡ Debit will not qualify. The first payment of each PAP must be debited and must clear from your new Eligible Personal Banking Account by 9:00 PM Eastern Time January 15, 2027.
- Make one (1) eligible bill payment to a service provider from your new Eligible Personal Banking Account. PLEASE NOTE: To qualify, the eligible bill payment must be completed through the RBC Mobile app or RBC Online Banking. Excludes any bill payment made in-person at an RBC Royal Bank branch with an RBC Advisor, and any bill payment made to an RBC credit card account, and any bill payment made using RBC Virtual Visa Debit. The eligible bill payment must be debited and must clear from your new Eligible Personal Banking Account by 9:00 PM Eastern Time January 15, 2027.
NOTE: Qualifying Debit Transactions are defined as Bill Payments or purchase transaction using any of the following: your RBC Client Card, an RBC Virtual Visa Debit card associated with your Eligible Personal Banking Account, Interac Flash, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay. Transactions carried out at an RBC Royal Bank branch or through the RBC Royal Bank ATM network, and bank fee transactions, are not included as qualifying transactions for the purpose of option ii (above)
NOTE: You must be at least 14 years of age to obtain an RBC Virtual Visa Debit card. As such, option ii. (above) of this section is only available to individuals who meet this minimum age requirement; if you are below the age of 14 and participate in this Promotional Offer, you must select one of the other eligible transaction types described.
Starting June 30, 2026, we will notify you – by way of an email sent to the email address you have provided to us – when you have fulfilled the Qualifying Criteria and qualified for the Promotional Offer. This message will be sent at any time up to twenty business days after we have determined that all Qualifying Criteria have been completed by you. The email message will contain a secure link that will permit you to visit a secure online store where you can order your Reward and confirm an address for delivery, as well as any other shipping details.
This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other Personal Banking Account offers unless otherwise indicated. Royal Bank of Canada reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice, even after acceptance by you. Other conditions apply. For full details including defined terms visit rbc.com/airpodsterms(opens in a new window).
| Credit Card Annual Fees | |
|---|---|
| RBC ION+ Visa | $48 |
| WestJet RBC MasterCard | $39 |
For any other RBC Royal Bank credit card, regular annual fees apply as they are not eligible for a rebate. The annual fee of your Eligible Credit Card will continue to be fully rebated: i) until you close your Eligible Student Bank Account, or ii) until you turn 25 (provided you are no longer a full-time student), or iii) if you are 25 or older, until the Expected Graduation Year you have provided at the opening of your Eligible Student Bank Account. Thereafter, the annual fee will no longer be rebated. If, for some reason, the Expected Graduation Year you have provided at the opening of your Eligible Student Bank Account differs from the one you have indicated on your credit card application, the Expected Graduation Year you have provided at the opening of your Eligible Student Bank Account will prevail and be used for determining the expiry of this offer. If your Expected Graduation Year occurs after your 25th birthday, or you are turning 25 and are still a full-time student but have not yet notified us of your Expected Graduation Date, please visit a branch to ensure continuity of benefits pertaining to your Eligible Student Bank Account (proof of enrollment required). Additional cardholders (co-applicant and authorized user(s)) do not qualify for the annual fee rebate even if they are also owners of an Eligible Student Bank Account. Only one credit card annual fee rebate per Eligible Student Bank Account is allowed. If you already have an Eligible Student Bank Account, the rebate will be applied at the time you open your Eligible Credit Card account. If you open your Eligible Student Bank Account after you have opened your Eligible Credit Card account, the rebate will be applied at your next annual renewal and won't be applied retroactively. Other conditions and restrictions may apply. Royal Bank of Canada reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time, even after acceptance by you.
When you use your Client Card to make a withdrawal in a currency other than Canadian dollars at an ATM outside Canada displaying the PLUS system symbol, we will convert the amounts withdrawn and any associated charges imposed by any third party for the use of the ATM to Canadian dollars when we deduct the funds from your Account. We will convert these amounts to Canadian dollars no later than the date we post the transaction to your Account at our exchange rate, which is 2.5% over a benchmark rate set by Visa International, a subsidiary of Visa Inc., and which Royal Bank of Canada pays on the date of conversion. This rate may be different from the rate in effect on the date your ATM withdrawal occurred or on the date of the transaction.
This is the account you access with your RBC Royal Bank Client Card when you select the "Chequing" option on a merchant payment terminal or at an automated teller machine. RBC Virtual Visa Debit is not available to business clients.
The Virtual Visa Debit card allows you to shop online, pay bills, make in-app purchases and shop in-store internationally.
When you use RBC Virtual Visa Debit for a transaction in a currency other than Canadian dollars, we will convert the transaction amount into Canadian dollars at an exchange rate that is 2.5% over a benchmark rate Royal Bank of Canada pays on the date of the conversion. If the merchant gives you a credit voucher or refund for a transaction in a foreign currency, the debit and the subsequent credit will not exactly balance because of exchange rate and currency fluctuations.
Debit transactions made using your RBC Virtual Visa Debit Number do not count against any monthly transaction limits applicable to your personal deposit account. Other account fees may apply. Please see the RBC Royal Bank Disclosures and Agreements related to Personal Deposit Accounts booklet or other applicable account agreement for further details.
When you use Virtual Visa Debit to make a payment: 1) the funds will be debited from your banking account. 2) The merchant performs an authorization on your account at the time of the purchase and the charge is immediately debited from that account. In some cases, merchants may need to adjust the authorization amount. Should this occur, a credit adjustment in the amount of the original authorization will be credited to your account, followed immediately by a debit adjustment that reflects the final transaction amount. Please refer to the RBC Royal Bank Virtual Visa Debit Agreement for further details.
As of March 6, 2026, we will not impose an NSF Fee:
- more than once within a period of two business days with respect to the same Account.
- if the amount of the Instrument would cause your Account to become overdrawn by an amount of less than $10 (or the U.S. dollar equivalent for U.S. dollar accounts).
Instruments rejected/returned due to insufficient funds in an U.S. dollar account will be charged in U.S. currency at the $10.00 Canadian equivalent, calculated using the foreign exchange rate as determined by RBC.
- transactions that occur after you notify us that you believe that any of your Passwords may have become known by someone, or that you noticed unusual, suspicious or fraudulent activity on any of your Accounts;
- transactions where it can be shown that you have been a victim of fraud, theft or have been coerced by trickery, force or intimidation, so long as you report the incident to us immediately and cooperate and assist us fully in any investigation;
- transactions resulting from negligent conduct by us, our employees or Third-Party Service Providers;
- Interac‡ Online Payment transactions resulting from negligent conduct by any Third Party participating in Interac‡ Online Payment; and
- any failure, error, malfunction, or technical problem of our system or equipment or that of any Third-Party Service Provider or any Third Party participating in Interac‡ Online Payment.
- you do not comply with any of your obligations under this Agreement or you do not comply with any instructions we may provide to you in connection with Digital Banking or Mobile Payments;
- you engage in any fraudulent, criminal or dishonest acts related to Digital Banking or Mobile Payments;
- you access Digital Banking or Mobile Payments via a Device that you know or reasonably should know contains software that has the ability to reveal or otherwise compromise any of your Passwords, Personal Verification Questions or an e-Transfer Question and Answer;
- you carry out the transaction, including if the transaction is a result of any mistake, error, omission, inaccuracy or other inadequacy of, or contained in any data or information that you give to us;
- you share any of your Passwords or Personal Verification Questions; or
- you consent to, contribute to or authorize a transaction in any way.

