Branch Safety and Account Opening Options
For the health and safety of our communities and employees, we have introduced new safety protocols in some branches and temporarily closed others.
To address the challenges facing international students, we are happy to schedule an appointment to open a bank account by phone, video conference or in branch.
Get More Perks for Less, Only at RBC
Pay for those little extras. Bank with RBC and get unlimited debit transactions in Canada. Plus, you could get approved for a credit card with no credit history required4Disclaimer.
Get no-monthly-fee banking2Disclaimer
Enjoy unlimited debit transactions in Canada with an RBC Advantage Banking account for students. Sign up for the Value Program to earn Avion points when you pay from your account3Disclaimer
No Canadian credit history required
When you bank with RBC, you can apply for an RBC credit card even with no prior credit history in Canada5Disclaimer. Get a credit limit up to $2,0004Disclaimer.
Bank anywhere, anytime with mobile solutions
Stay on top of your money 24/7. The RBC Mobile Student Edition of the RBC Mobile6Disclaimer app makes banking easy.
Account Features and Benefits
- No-monthly-fee for full-time students2Disclaimer
- Unlimited debit transactions in Canada
- No RBC fee to use another bank’s ATM in Canada7Disclaimer, 8Disclaimer
- Enjoy the Value Program at no additional cost: Shop online and in-store with your enrolled account to earn points on debit.3Disclaimer
- Free Interac e-Transfer transactions9Disclaimer, 10Disclaimer
How to Get $100, Give $100
You must be:
- a full-time student 13+
- Currently living in Canada
Open Account:
Open a no monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account for students by January 31st, 20241
Complete Transactions:
Set-up and complete any one of the following transactions by March 29th, 2024
- Make at least three debit transactions
- Register your RBC Banking account for Interac auto deposit and send one e-transfer
- Enroll for a Virtual Visa Debit Card and make one transaction
Add a Credit Card—No Credit History Required5Disclaimer
Ask about our other credit cards when you talk to an RBC Advisor

- Get a credit limit of up to $2,0004Disclaimer
- No credit history required for RBC personal banking clients5Disclaimer. Higher credit limits are subject to higher income and asset requirements.
- No annual fee
- Get 10% bonus cash back for the first 3 months (up to a maximum spend of $2,000) with a new RBC Cash Back Mastercard† Disclaimer. That’s up to 12% Cash back on grocery store purchases for the first three months and up to 11% on all other purchases for the first three months† Disclaimer. Offer ends March 31, 2024.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Additional Card: $0
- Purchase Rate: 20.99%
- Cash Advance Rate: 22.99% (21.99% if you reside in Quebec)
Additional Fees
- Cash Advance: $5.00 in and outside of Canada
- Balance Transfer Promotional Rate Fee: Up to 3% of transaction amount
- Dishonoured Payment Fee: $45.00
- Overlimit Fee: $29.00 (fee does not apply if you reside in Quebec)
- Additional Copies: $5.00 for Monthly Statement, $1.50 for Statement Updates at the ATM, $2.00 for Transaction Receipts
- Installment Plan Fee: If applicable, either a (i) one-time fee of up to 3% of total purchase amount, or (ii) monthly fee of up to 1.15% of total purchase amount (fee does not apply if you reside in Quebec)
Easy and convenient to earn cash back even after the offer period.
- Up to 2% cash back on grocery store purchases26Disclaimer
- Up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments26Disclaimer
No limit to what you can get back
That’s right – get unlimited cashback27Disclaimer. Plus, your cash back credits accumulate automatically so you don’t need to keep track.
Save and earn faster with offers
Load personalized offers from great brands before you shop to get cash savings or to earn bonus Avion points faster28Disclaimer.
Participating Charities







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Disabilities

Open Your RBC Student Account Today
Start opening your account online, through the mobile app, over the phone, by video call or at a branch. Be sure to have your passport and study permit handy for your appointment.
Open Bank AccountTwo Ways To Apply30
Sign Up with Mobile
Opening up an RBC account in the RBC Mobile6 app is fast, simple, and secure! It typically takes about 12 minutes.
- You must have:
- A valid passport or Canadian driver's license from AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, QC or SK
- A Canadian address
- Be ready to take a selfie to verify against your passport or driver’s license
Download the RBC Mobile app
to get started.
Sign Up Online
Opening up an RBC account online is easy and secure. It typically takes about 12 minutes.
This is the best option for:
- Students who have minimum 3 year credit history
- You must be the age of majority in the province or territory you live in
- You must have:
- A minimum of 3 years of credit history
- A Canadian address you have been living in for the last 6 months
Other Ways to Apply
Call 1-866-583-9122 to book an appointment.
Call 1-866-583-9122 to book an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you do not get a tax receipt, as the donation is being made by RBC Future Launch. However, you do get to choose one of eight charities that can receive the donation.
Nope! You keep the $100 that is deposited into your new bank account if you meet the qualifying criteria.
RBC Future Launch will donate an additional $100 to an eligible charity listed on our donation page. You choose which charity will receive the additional $100 from RBC Future Launch. RBC Future Launch will donate a maximum of $500,000 total across all charities.
You will be able to choose one of eight charities that can receive the $100 donation from RBC Future Launch. A full list of participating charities will be presented to you through a unique link that will be sent from RBC to the email address used to set up your new RBC account.
The list of eligible charities includes a variety of organizations that support causes ranging from environmental issues to mental health and wellness. The full list of participating charities will be presented to you through a unique link that will be sent from RBC to the email address used to set up your new RBC account.
You will receive $100 deposited into your new bank account upon opening an eligible bank account and completing the qualifying criteria. You will not get an additional $100 in cash, but instead will get a unique single-use link that will allow you to select one of eight pre-selected RBC charities that can be found on our donation page to make a $100 donation from RBC Future Launch.
You will get an email from RBC once you have opened your new bank account and met the eligibility criteria. This email contains a unique link that will allow you to select a charity to receive the $100 donation from RBC Future Launch.
The unique donation link can only be used once before it expires on April 30, 2024.
Please note: if you lose the link, we cannot send you a new one until the end of the program/offer. We will be sending out a final reminder on April 23, 2024 to all new clients who did not use their donation link.
The first donation link will be sent out December 5, 2023 and every Tuesday after that. All donation links will expire on April 30, 2024.
Once you open your new RBC account, you’ll receive an email containing a unique donation link. That link can be used to send $100 from RBC Future Launch to a charity of your choice. The email containing this donation link will be sent to the email address used to set up your new bank account.
Unfortunately, we cannot generate a new donation link. However, on April 23, 2024, we will send out a final reminder email to all new clients who did not use their donation link. You’ll have a second chance to donate at this time.
No, each link is unique and can only be used once. Once a charity has been selected to receive the donation, it cannot be changed.
Yes, your donation link will expire on April 30, 2024.
You must apply for the RBC Cash Back Mastercard by March 31, 2024, at an RBC Royal Bank branch, and be approved by us. You will earn an additional $10.00 back for every $100.00 (10% Cash Back Credit) in Net Purchases (including pre-authorized bill payments) charged on your RBC Cash Back Mastercard account within the first 3 months of account opening, up to a maximum total combined spend of $2,000 (“Welcome Bonus”). Thereafter, the standard Cash Back Credit earn rates of up to 2% on Grocery Store Purchases and up to 1% on other Net Purchases (that are not Grocery Store Purchases) apply. The Welcome Bonus is in addition to the standard Cash Back Credit earn rates. Cash Back Credits are not earned on cash advances (including balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges or fees, and credits for returns and adjustments will reduce or cancel the cash back credits earned by the amounts originally charged. The Welcome Bonus will appear on your next monthly statement after it was earned, and will be credited as set out in disclosure 26 (below). For complete details on the RBC Cash Back Program including standard earn rates and crediting of Cash Back Rewards, please refer to the RBC Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions at www.rbc.com/cashbackterms(opens in new window). Offer applies to new RBC Cash Back Mastercard accounts only.
One offer per eligible account. Existing cardholders of any RBC personal credit card, applying for or transferring to an RBC Cash Back Mastercard card, are not eligible for this offer. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other offer except as otherwise set out. Royal Bank of Canada reserves the right to modify, cancel or withdraw this offer at any time. This offer may be revoked at any time if we suspect you may be manipulating or abusing it, or engaging in any suspicious or fraudulent activity, as determined by Royal Bank of Canada in its sole discretion.
This offer is available to any Eligible Student Client 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 offer. The Promotional Offer is $100 Bonus Amount deposited in your Eligible Personal Banking Account and a $100 Charitable Bonus donated by RBC to one of eight RBC-approved charities as selected by you, if you have fulfilled all Qualifying Criteria and conditions of the Promotional Offer.
To qualify for the Promotional Offer you must open your first new Eligible Personal Banking Account by 9:00 PM EST on January 31, 2024 and complete one of the following Qualifying Criteria by 9:00 PM EST on March 29, 2024 using your Eligible Personal Banking Account:
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.
NOTE: You must be at least 14 years of age to obtain an RBC Virtual Visa Debit card. As such, option iii. (above) 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.
The $100 cash component of the Promotional Offer will be deposited into your Eligible Personal Banking Account within 2 to 8 weeks of completing the Qualifying Criteria, if applicable. Royal Bank of Canada may follow up with Eligible Student Clients to remind them to complete the Qualifying Criteria.
To claim the charitable bonus offer:
Beginning December 5, 2023, we will notify you by way of an email to the email address we have recorded in your client profile, when you have fulfilled the Qualifying Criteria and qualified for the Charitable Bonus portion of the Promotional Offer. This message will be sent at any time up to seven (7) business days after all Qualifying Criteria have been completed. The message will contain a link that will permit you to visit a webpage where you will be able to select a charitable cause of your choice from among the options presented thereon. After you have made your selection, RBC will donate the Charitable Bonus amount to an RBC-approved charity that supports the charitable cause you selected. In order to have your Charitable Bonus allocated accordingly, you must make your selection by April 30, 2024.
This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other Personal Banking Account offers. Royal Bank of Canada reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice, even after acceptance by you. For full details including defined terms visit rbc.com/getgiveofferterms.
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 particular semester. You must advise us of your student status at the time of account opening and must advise of any changes to your student status thereafter. Proof of enrollment may be requested at our discretion. Students who are 25 years of age and older must provide proof of enrollment.
Avion Rewards
Avion Rewards is Canada’s largest bank-owned loyalty program.
You can earn Avion points when you:
- Open and enrol an eligible RBC personal bank account in our Value Program and use your enrolled account to make in-store or online purchases15Disclaimer
- Apply and qualify for an Avion Rewards credit card and use this card to make purchases16Disclaimer
You can redeem points for24Disclaimer:
- Gift cards and merchandise from some of your favourite brands
- Booking flights, hotels and car rentals
- Paying down credit cards, loans or bills
Avion Rewards also gives you access to:
- Discounts
- Bonus points
- Special offers and savings
View Legal DisclaimersHide Legal Disclaimers
(i) “Grocery Stores and Supermarkets” (MCC 5411) are “Grocery Purchases”;
(ii) “Service Stations (With or without Ancillary Services)” (MCC 5541), “Automated Fuel Dispensers” (MCC 5542), “Taxicabs and Limousines” (MCC 4121), “Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries” (MCC 4111), Electric Vehicle Charging” (MCC 5552) are “Rides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchases”. Non-commuter passenger railway purchases and non-commuter bus line purchases do not qualify as part of “Rides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchases”;
(iii) “Digital Goods Media – Books, Movies, Music” (MCC 5815), “Digital Goods – Games” (MCC 5816), “Cable, Satellite, and Other Pay Television/Radio/Streaming Services” (MCC 4899) are “Streaming and Digital Entertainment Purchases”. The “Digital Goods – Games” MCC does not include games of chance and gambling.
You will earn 1 Avion point for every $1.00 on all other purchases (including pre-authorized bill payments) you make on your RBC ION Visa credit card.
Even though some merchants may sell Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Entertainment merchandise, purchases made at these locations may not necessarily qualify as Eligible MCCs if the merchant is not classified as such by Visa. Also, you may make a purchase at a merchant that is not classified as an Eligible MCC but is located on the premises of a merchant that is classified as an Eligible MCC, in which case your purchase would not qualify as an Eligible MCC. We cannot guarantee that any merchant, operating in whole or in part as a Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Entertainment merchant is classified as an Eligible MCC and in no event will we be liable or responsible for any claims with respect to a Grocery, Rides, gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Entertainment purchase made at a merchant that is not classified as an Eligible MCC. Avion points are earned on net purchases only; they are not earned on cash advances (balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges or fees, and credits for returns and adjustments will reduce or cancel the points earned by the amounts originally charged.
Avion Rewards
Avion Rewards is Canada’s largest bank-owned loyalty program.
You can earn Avion points when you:
- Open and enrol an eligible RBC personal bank account in our Value Program and use your enrolled account to make in-store or online purchases15Disclaimer
- Apply and qualify for an Avion Rewards credit card and use this card to make purchases16Disclaimer
You can redeem points for24Disclaimer:
- Gift cards and merchandise from some of your favourite brands
- Booking flights, hotels and car rentals
- Paying down credit cards, loans or bills
Avion Rewards also gives you access to:
- Discounts
- Bonus points
- Special offers and savings
And with an RBC Rewards+ Visa credit card, you get 2,500 welcome Avion Rewards points17Disclaimer ― which is enough to redeem for a $25 gift card from select brands like Amazon.ca, Starbucks or McCafé18Disclaimer! Apply by October 31, 2022.
View Legal DisclaimersHide Legal Disclaimers
(i) “Grocery Stores and Supermarkets” (MCC 5411) are “Grocery Purchases”;
(ii) “Service Stations (With or without Ancillary Services)” (MCC 5541), “Automated Fuel Dispensers” (MCC 5542), “Taxicabs and Limousines” (MCC 4121), “Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, Including Ferries” (MCC 4111), Electric Vehicle Charging” (MCC 5552) are “Rides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchases”. Non-commuter passenger railway purchases and non-commuter bus line purchases do not qualify as part of “Rides, Gas & Electric Vehicle Charging Purchases”;
(iii) “Digital Goods Media – Books, Movies, Music” (MCC 5815), “Digital Goods – Games” (MCC 5816), “Cable, Satellite, and Other Pay Television/Radio/Streaming Services” (MCC 4899) are “Streaming and Digital Entertainment Purchases”. The “Digital Goods – Games” MCC does not include games of chance and gambling.
You will earn 1 Avion point for every $1.00 on all other purchases (including pre-authorized bill payments) you make on your RBC ION Visa credit card.
Even though some merchants may sell Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Entertainment merchandise, purchases made at these locations may not necessarily qualify as Eligible MCCs if the merchant is not classified as such by Visa. Also, you may make a purchase at a merchant that is not classified as an Eligible MCC but is located on the premises of a merchant that is classified as an Eligible MCC, in which case your purchase would not qualify as an Eligible MCC. We cannot guarantee that any merchant, operating in whole or in part as a Grocery, Rides, Gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Entertainment merchant is classified as an Eligible MCC and in no event will we be liable or responsible for any claims with respect to a Grocery, Rides, gas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Streaming, and Digital Entertainment purchase made at a merchant that is not classified as an Eligible MCC. Avion points are earned on net purchases only; they are not earned on cash advances (balance transfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges or fees, and credits for returns and adjustments will reduce or cancel the points earned by the amounts originally charged.
Get Up to 3,500 Bonus Avion Rewards Points
Get 500 points for each of these actions if completed within 60 days of your credit card approval19Disclaimer:
- Share your email address with us
- Sign up for eStatements for your card
- Download and sign into either the RBC Mobile app20Disclaimer or the RBC Wallet20Disclaimer app
And if you bank with RBC21Disclaimer:
- Make an Interac e-Transfer22Disclaimer with the RBC Mobile app or RBC Online Banking20Disclaimer
- Transfer funds with the RBC Mobile app or RBC Online Banking
- Deposit a cheque23Disclaimer with the RBC Mobile app
- Pay a bill with the RBC Mobile app or RBC Online Banking
View Legal DisclaimersHide Legal Disclaimers