Moving to Canada to study? Explore our RBC Student Pre-arrival Banking and GIC Program
Everything You Need for Starting a Financial Life
in Canada
Here’s what you get when you arrive. Only with RBC Newcomer Advantage
RBC’s newcomer chequing account has been recognized as the Best Newcomer Chequing Account by Ratehub - 2026
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#1 Most Valuable Canadian Brand by Kantar BrandZ – 2025
Setting Up Your New RBC Advantage Banking Account
How to get started in 3 easy steps from your eligible home country.
Apply online
Start opening an RBC Advantage Banking account.
Apply NowMust be from an eligible country and arriving in the next 12 months.
- Hong Kong
- China
- India
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Costa Rica
- Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Be a legal resident living in one of the eligible countries
- Be at least 13 years of age (14 years if settling in Quebec)
- Have a valid passport
- Relocating to Canada as Permanent Resident, Foreign Worker, or International Student
Transfer your money
Once opened, you can send up to $75,000 to fund your new account in Canada and get the proof of funds you need for your visa requirement.
Activate your account
Visit your local branch after you land as confirmed in your appointment email. Activate your account and start banking.
Latest Banking and Credit Offers
Permanent Residents and Foreign Workers
Credit
- RBC credit card with a credit limit up to a $15,000*
- Up to 12% cash back† for three months
- No credit history required
International Students
Credit
- RBC credit card with a credit limit up to $2,000#
- Up to 12% cash back† for 3 months
- No credit history required
Top Questions Newcomers Ask
Yes, you can open a Canadian bank account through RBC before arriving in Canada. This lets you set up your account online and transfer money ahead of time, so you can access funds as soon as you arrive. Ready to get started? Open an account online before you arrive.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are at least 13 years old (or 14 if settling in Quebec)
- Currently reside in one of the eligible countries: Hong Kong, China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Antigua & Barbuda, Costa Rica, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago
- Hold a valid passport (must be more than 6 months from expiry)
- Plan to arrive in Canada within 12 months
- Have a mobile phone with a camera to complete ID verification
You must have a valid passport and one of the following documents, depending on your status:
Permanent Residents
- Confirmation of Canadian Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 / 5688)
- Canadian Permanent Resident Card
- Canadian Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
- IRCC Confirmation of Permanent Residence Document (must not be expired)
- IRCC Acknowledgment Letter (with application number)
- IRCC Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (must not be expired)
Temporary Foreign Workers
- Canadian Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
- Canadian Work Permit (IMM 1442)
- lRCC Acknowledgment Letter (with application number)
- IRCC Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (must not be expired)
International Students
- Canadian Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
- Student Permit (IMM 1442)
- lRCC Acknowledgment Letter (with application number)
- IRCC Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (must not be expired)
- Letter of Acceptance or Confirmation of Enrolment letter from a Canadian educational institution
- Must include expected enrolment date
- Cannot be from a past academic year
Canadian Property Owners
- Deed of Title, or
- Current-year property tax assessment, or
- Title search completed within the last 90 days
The application takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
Tip: To avoid delays, make sure you have:
- Your passport
- Your immigration or study/ work documents ready before you begin
- Ensure your name and birth date details match the government-issued document and ID
Note: We will be communicating with you through the email address provided during your account opening. Any change to your email, address or phone number can only be made after your account is activated post-arrival.
No. You will be eligible to open the RBC Advantage Banking account free of charge, and the monthly fee will be waived for the first 12 months from the day of your arrival in Canada.
If your bank account is opened successfully, you will be able to wire funds to the account – up to $75,000* or up to three wires (whichever comes first). However, full access to your account will only be granted after you arrive in Canada and complete your in-branch account activation.
* Subject to applicable foreign exchange regulations, capital controls, and other transfer restrictions in your country of origin.
Join the Million+ Newcomers Who Choose RBC
As one of Canada’s biggest banks, RBC offers customized banking to help support you from before moving to Canada and beyond.
Trusted by Newcomers
1M+ newcomers supported
We help newcomers to Canada get started with banking support from day one.
Convenient Access
Bank how and when you want
Over 4,000 ATMs and more than 1,100 branches across the country.
Secure Digital Banking
Bank with confidence online and on mobile
Bank safely anytime with RBC Online Banking and the RBC Mobile app.
Specialized Advice
Support designed for newcomers
Get guidance from newcomer specialists, with service in your preferred language.
Safety & Protection
Your money is protected
Transfer and manage your money with confidence when bringing money to Canada7.
Get Ready for Life in Canada
Ways to Bank in Canada
Easy ways to manage your money – online, on mobile, in branch or at the ATM.
Visit Ways to Bank3 Financial Tips for Newcomers to Canada
Tips to help you understand banking in Canada.
Read Article
Support Services to Ease Your Journey
Learn about these partners
You can get a Canada eSIM/SIM***
Build your network
Frequently Asked
Questions
- You will not be able to open an RBC account before arriving in Canada
- You can open an account in person at an RBC branch after you arrive, or
- Click here to explore other RBC account options that may be available to you
- RBC may charge an incoming wire fee
- Your sending bank may also charge wire fees
Yes, you can send multiple wire transfers:
- Up to 3 wire transfers, and
- A maximum total of $75,000
If either limit is exceeded, additional deposits will be rejected.
- RBC accepts Canadian dollars (CAD) only
- Funds sent in another currency will be rejected
- You will receive an email with an attached confirmation of deposit
- This confirmation can be used as proof of funds for IRCC, if required
- Processing time: approximately 7-10 business days, depending on the country/ region
-
Accepted proof includes:
- Visa or permit refusal
- Educational institution rejection or withdrawal
Once your pre-arrival RBC account is opened, you will receive an email confirmation with the date, time and location of your appointment. The date will be within 1-5 business days of your intended arrival date.
If you need to change your appointment date, you can email us at rbcprearrivalservice@rbc.com with a date and time that works better for you.
- Your original passport
- Your valid visa or permit
- The same documents used to open your pre-arrival account
You can open a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) after you arrive in Canada.
At your post-arrival branch appointment:
- An RBC advisor will help activate your account, and
- Help you open your GIC, if eligible
The RBC Newcomer Advantage is a banking solution designed for newcomers to Canada. It includes a chequing account with no monthly fee banking for the first year, plus access to a credit card (subject to approval) with a limit up to $15,000 and up to 12% cashback for the first three months – no credit history required.
Learn more about the RBC Newcomer Advantage
Learn more about the RBC Newcomer Advantage
As a newcomer, you can open a Canadian bank account at RBC either online before you arrive or in person after you land. Here’s how:
Before arriving in Canada:
- Apply online for a bank account from your home country
After arriving in Canada:
- Open an account digitally at https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/accounts/index.html
- Call and speak to one of our expert advisors at 1-866-756-1107. They can help open your account over the phone or book an appointment for you with an advisor at a branch near you
- Everyday banking: No monthly fee banking for a year on an eligible chequing account
- Access to credit without a Canadian credit history: With a credit limit of up to $15,000 and up to 12% cash back for the first three months
- Online and mobile banking tools: Secure 24/7 banking to help you manage your money
- High interest savings account: Earn up to 4.60% interest for three months
RBC is a popular choice for many new immigrants because it offers a newcomer-friendly banking package, pre-arrival account options and support for people who are new to the Canadian banking system. Many newcomers find RBC a convenient place to start their financial life in Canada.
Yes. Declaring your tax residency is mandatory for all new accounts at Canadian financial institutions.
Canadian banks are legally required to identify and report certain accounts to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) under two rules:
- FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act): We must identify accounts held by U.S. persons, or by certain non-U.S. entities in which U.S. persons have an interest. The CRA then shares this information with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- CRS (Common Reporting Standard): We must identify and report accounts that may be reportable for tax purposes in other participating countries.
After we verify your connection-to-Canada documents, we’ll email you a digital form to complete. Filling it out promptly helps us activate your account without delays.
The CIVT email is asking you to confirm your tax residency, which is a required step for activating your new account. You have two options:
- Wait for the mailed tax package. The CIVT team will send a physical package to your address.
- Use the digital form (faster). Our newcomer advisors at rbcprearrivalservice@rbc.com will email you a secure link. Complete the form online and submit it through the link provided.
Once we receive your submission, we’ll update your declaration of tax residence on your profile. You can then wire funds before you arrive in Canada.
Your account will be placed under restraint if you don’t submit your tax residency declaration within 90 days of opening. A restraint means:
- You will not be able to transfer any funds into your account.
- The account cannot be activated until you submit your tax declaration.
A declaration of tax residence is mandatory in Canada, so we recommend completing your form as soon as possible to avoid any interruption.
Need Some
Additional Help?
Need Some
Additional Help?
Call Us
Toll-Free: 1-866-756-1107
Collect: 1-506-864-2275
Call Us
Toll-Free: 1-866-756-1107
Collect: 1-506-864-2275
- Your passport
- Your immigration or study/ work documents ready before you begin
- Ensure your name and birth date details match the government-issued document and ID
You must apply for the RBC Cash Back Mastercard by May 31, 2026, 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 35 (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. 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.
If your PhoneBox application is approved and you become a client of PhoneBox, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) may receive one or more referral fee(s) from PhoneBox. RBC reserves the right to cancel this offer at any time for any reason at its complete discretion without notice. RBC Student GIC clients are not required to sign up for the PhoneBox offer in order to participate in the GIC program
- 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.