{"id":85849,"date":"2024-04-01T11:23:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T15:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&#038;p=85849"},"modified":"2024-04-16T14:56:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T18:56:34","slug":"how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card-canada","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/credit-and-borrowing\/understanding-credit-cards\/how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply for a First Credit Card"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-single-article-header\">\n\t<section class=\"section-grey cover pad-t-hlf\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-inner w-half w-mob-full centered-margin cover section-grey pad-tb-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-block pill-container pill-taxonomies\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mar-b-hlf mob-mar-b snipe pill is-style-blue-pill\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"primary-taxonomy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/credit-and-debt\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Credit and Debt<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"mar-b-hlf mar-t-0 mob-pad-lr-hlf h2 has-black-color\">How to Apply for a First Credit Card<\/h1><p class=\"mar-b-0 mob-pad-lr-hlf author-text\">By RBC<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"featured-image-wrapper pos-rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg?quality=80\" class=\" cover-image  wp-post-image\" alt=\"Man on a laptop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg 5472w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Zz0zOTIzZjRiY2RiMjExMWVlOTA1NDcyYWJkOGYyOTFkZg.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\t<div class=\"article mar-t-dbl\">\n\t\t\t\t<section>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"section-inner socials-section\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"top-socials-bar mob-mar-b-hlf\">    <div class=\"social-links mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf\">\n            <a class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-custom sharing-email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=How to Apply for a First Credit Card &#038;body=Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article from RBC My Money Matters: https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/credit-and-borrowing\/understanding-credit-cards\/how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card-canada\/\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-email.svg\"\n          alt=\"envelope icon\">\n        <span>\n          Email        <\/span>\n      <\/a>\n      <div class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-copy-wrapper\">\n        <button class=\"sharing-custom sharing-copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/credit-and-borrowing\/understanding-credit-cards\/how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card-canada\/\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-related.svg\"\n            alt=\"copy icon\">\n          <span id=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n            Copy URL          <\/span>\n        <\/button>\n        <input type=\"text\" class=\"sharing-copy-text\" aria-labelledby=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"section-inner w-half w-mob-full centered-margin pad-tb-0 mob-mar-t-hlf mob-mar-b\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cover-pub-line text-xs mar-b-hlf\">Published April 1, 2024 \u2022 5 Min Read<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner w-half w-mob-full\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<p><strong>There are a few ways to apply for a credit card in Canada and a few things to know before you do.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve found a credit card that matches your needs and lifestyle, you may be ready to apply! Here&#8217;s the information you need to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to qualify for a credit card in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First, before you apply, there are 5 things to consider before applying for a credit card in Canada: &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>You must be the age of majority (18 or 19 years old, depending on the province you live in)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>You\u2019ll need to be a Canadian citizen or resident. (Note: temporary workers and newcomers to Canada can apply for a credit card, but the application criteria may be different)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>If you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/credit-cards\/credit-card-information-and-questions\/how-to-use-credit-cards-to-improve-credit-score.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-10bdd682\" data-dig-label=\"have a credit score or credit history in Canada\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">have a credit score or credit history in Canada<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>If you meet the minimum income requirements, should your credit card has one<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>The impact of any major credit event, such as&nbsp; filing for bankruptcy in the past seven years&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, you will need to gather some information about yourself to share with the credit card company. This information includes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Your name.<\/strong> Your full legal name that appears on your driver&#8217;s license and\/or passport<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Your address<\/strong>. Your current primary address<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Your income<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>If you are not employed or are not earning an income (i.e., if you\u2019re retired, a student or a homemaker), you can still apply, but it is best to visit a branch and speak with an advisor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>If you are employed, you can prove your income with a pay stub or T4 form.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>If you&#8217;re self-employed, you&#8217;ll typically need to provide documents that show a steady income for at least the last two years. This could be a tax return, a profit and loss statement, or anything else that shows you have money coming in.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).<\/strong> Your SIN is no longer required on credit card applications. But by providing it, you may experience a faster review.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to check your credit score<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your credit score is a three-digit number that indicates the quality of your credit history. Several factors affect your credit score. These include if you carry a balance on your credit cards, how close you are to your limit, and if you pay your bills on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no magic number when it comes to applying for a credit card and it\u2019s not the only detail providers look at. A credit history and a score of 660 or higher are helpful. If you\u2019re new to credit \u2013 as a student or newcomer, for instance \u2013 there are other factors a credit card company may review when approving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can check your credit score in a few ways. If you&#8217;re an RBC client, you can easily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/ways-to-bank\/tutorials\/financial-advice\/check-credit-score.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-624eea70\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"check it for free\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">check it for free<\/a> within Online Banking. You can also check through Canada&#8217;s credit reporting agencies, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumer.equifax.ca\/personal\/products\/credit-score-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-91c5f277\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Equifax \" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Equifax <\/a>or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transunion.ca\/product\/consumer-disclosure#articleSection2\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-fae2df6e\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"TransUnion\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">TransUnion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your credit score is low, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/credit-and-borrowing\/understanding-credit-and-credit-scores\/6-ways-to-rebuild-your-credit-score\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-7430f6d5\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"ways to improve it\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">ways to improve it<\/a>. And you may still be able to apply and get a credit card. Keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three ways to apply for a credit card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are three main ways to apply for a credit card: online, at the branch of a financial institution&#8217;s branch, or over the phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applying online:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/credit-cards\/index.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-ae39449e\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Applying for a credit card online\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Applying for a credit card online<\/a> is pretty simple. You&#8217;ll need to answer questions about yourself and submit the required information. In some cases, you may need to send proof of your income. Many credit card providers can approve a credit card application within minutes when you apply online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> People who want the quickest application experience, do not want a specific limit or have other requests, and have a straightforward income.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mar-b-hlf has-rbc-bright-blue-tint-4-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-looking-for-a-credit-card\">Looking for a credit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Use our Credit Card Selector Tool to find the best credit card for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons pad-b-hlf is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary primary btn before\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/credit-cards\/tools\/choose-a-credit-card.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-90110-d98bff85\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"button click\" data-dig-label=\"Help Me Choose-https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/credit-cards\/tools\/choose-a-credit-card.html \">Help Me Choose<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/credit-cards\/tools\/compare-credit-cards.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85779-c566a290\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Compare Credit Cards\" class=\"rbc-link-format goto-link\" data-icon-class=\"goto-link\">Compare Credit Cards<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applying in the branch. <\/strong>You can apply for a credit card at your local bank or credit union branch. It&#8217;s best to make an appointment so the advisor can review your credit card options with you. They can help you determine which credit cards you&#8217;re eligible for and that best suit your needs. You&#8217;ll need to take physical copies of your ID and proof of your income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> People who wish to discuss their credit card options with an advisor, such as students looking for their first credit card, or individuals with a specific limit request and\/or a more complex income situation. Newcomers are encouraged to visit a branch as additional information is often required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applying by phone.<\/strong> Applying by phone can be a convenient alternative to visiting a branch. The advisor will let you know how to send your ID and income requirements. And, they&#8217;ll go through any other steps you&#8217;ll need to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong> People who wish to speak with an advisor but prefer not to visit a branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure what credit card is right for you? Review the RBC credit cards available, or use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/credit-cards\/tools\/choose-a-credit-card.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-85849-c6e07c86\" data-dig-label=\"the RBC Credit Card Selector tool\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">the RBC Credit Card Selector tool<\/a> to learn what options are best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-default-collapsible\"><p><button class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#collapse834a1009\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse834a1009\" data-dig-id=\"LP-57738-834a1009\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"accordion closed\" action-closed=\"accordion closed\" action-opened=\"accordion open\" data-dig-label=\"Things our lawyers want you to know\"><span>Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><span>Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><\/button><\/p><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"collapse834a1009\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-collapsible-inner-block collapse-inner\">\n<p>This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tk-spacer id-59c07fea-84dd-4df4-9381-649ffc9882c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h5 mar-b\"><strong>Share This Article<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"socials-block\">\n\t\t\t    <div class=\"social-links mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf\">\n            <a class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-custom sharing-email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=How to Apply for a First Credit Card &#038;body=Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article from RBC My Money Matters: https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/credit-and-borrowing\/understanding-credit-cards\/how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card-canada\/\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-email.svg\"\n          alt=\"envelope icon\">\n        <span>\n          Email        <\/span>\n      <\/a>\n      <div class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-copy-wrapper\">\n        <button class=\"sharing-custom sharing-copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/credit-and-borrowing\/understanding-credit-cards\/how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card-canada\/\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-related.svg\"\n            alt=\"copy icon\">\n          <span id=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n            Copy URL          <\/span>\n        <\/button>\n        <input type=\"text\" class=\"sharing-copy-text\" aria-labelledby=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tk-spacer id-4b01bdec-925d-4037-8a65-284feedbc7c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-single-post-topics related-topics-links\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"h5 mar-r-hlf\">Topics:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/banking-digital-banking\/\" class=\"btn topic mar-t-0 mar-r-qtr mar-b-hlf\">Banking\/ Digital banking<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/credit-and-debt\/\" class=\"btn topic mar-t-0 mar-r-qtr mar-b-hlf\">Credit and Debt<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/managing-money\/\" class=\"btn topic mar-t-0 mar-r-qtr mar-b-hlf\">Managing Money<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel mob-pad-t-dbl\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mar-b mob-mar-b-dbl mar-t-0\" id=\"h-read-this-next\">Read This Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"related-posts-type-2\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-post-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"grid-wpr eh-wpr\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class= 'grid-one-third grid-tb-full grid-mob-full mar-b'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"col-wpr mar-b-0 mar-r-0 mar-l-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"postcard-img-ctr post-card-image col-md-12 col-xs-6 mob-mar-b-0 pad-l-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/11\/iStock-1057767656.jpg?quality=80&amp;w=1024\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" 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