New to Canada and Looking for Banking Solutions?
Join the Scotiabank StartRight® Program designed for Newcomers and get up to $2,200* in value in the first year.
*Potential value in 1st year. Conditions & assumptions apply.
Why Scotiabank is the Bank for Newcomers
Coast-to-Coast Support in Canada
You will have access to more than 941 Scotiabank branches and 3,725 ABMs across Canada for personalized support at the branch and in the language that’s most comfortable to you.
Worldwide Access to Funds
With close to 24 million customers and over 2,700 branches around the world, Scotiabank is committed to supporting newcomers by offering the right banking solutions to help you achieve your financial goals.
Tailored to the Needs of Newcomers
We offer several programs and services aimed at guiding newcomers and recent immigrants in Canada with tailored banking packages, all in the language that’s most comfortable to you.
Presenting the StartRight™ Program for Newcomers‡
$500 Welcome bonus
Earn up to $500 with a Preferred Package and a registered account.◊1
No monthly account fees
No monthly account fees on a Preferred Package chequing account for the first year2 – a value of $203.40.*
Earch up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points.
For a limited time apply for a Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite** credit card and earn up to $1,345 in value. 3
International money transfers
Unlimited no-fee4 international money transfers – an average savings of $280 compared to in-branch Swift wire transfers.*
Free equity trades
Get 10 free equity trades when you invest a minimum of $1,000 in a new Scotia iTRADE®5 account – a value of $99.90.* Use code SRPE15.
Building your credit history from the ground up can be tough and often requires a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, with Scotiabank’s new partnership with Nova Credit, you don’t have to start from scratch! Now, eligible clients can use their international credit reports to apply for a higher credit limit on their Scotiabank credit card. You can learn more about this exciting partnership and all things related to credit here.
Start Right in Canada
Newcomers can earn up to $2,200* in value the first year with StartRight™.
*Potential value in 1st year. Conditions & assumptions apply.
Banking Packages and Products Designed for You
The StartRight™ Program
Newcomers can earn up to $2,200 in value the first year with the StartRight Program.
Guaranteed Investment Certificates
Choose the worry-free investment and get easy access to your money to help pay for living expenses while studying in Canada.
International Students
Planning to study in Canada? Book an appointment with a Scotiabank advisor and set up an account specifically for international students.
Credit Cards
Apply for up to a $15,000 credit limit on an unsecured credit card as soon as you arrive – even without a credit history.
Keep in Touch with Scotiabank
We’re Here to Help
Book an appointment to speak with a Scotiabank representative to discuss your banking options.
Email Us
Get in touch with a Scotiabank representative.
Find a Branch
Ready to get started? Be sure to schedule an appointment in advance to speak with a multilingual Scotiabank advisor at one of over 1,100 Scotiabank branches across Canada.
Give Us a Call
Speak with a Scotiabank representative over the phone.
From Canada & US
For all inquiries:
Free: 1-866-800-5159
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. EST
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From Overseas
(Monday to Friday: 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST)
• Call collect for free at: 416-288-3062
Direct: 001-416-288-3062
• Customer service in Chinese available from Monday to Friday:
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST
For the Scotiabank Student GIC program:
• Call us collect for free at: 416-288-4119
Direct: 001-416-288-4119
• Customer service in Chinese available from Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST
Terms and Conditions
Click to read more
| ‡ | Scotiabank StartRight® Program is available only for Canadian Permanent Residents from 0-5 years in Canada, International Students and Foreign Workers. |
| * | Value of up to $2,200 is calculated as follows: i) up to $583.30 first year value with the StartRightTM Program + ii) Up to $1,800 in Preferred Package, a registered account and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite welcome offer and first year point earn potential: i. Value of up to $583.30 is an annual potential value for the first year based on the following benefits and savings available to StartRightTM clients as of March 4, 2025: – $203.40 in account fee savings for a Preferred Package chequing account ($16.95 monthly account fee waived for first 12 months); – $280 in fee savings when compared to in-branch Swift Wire Transfers (assumes an annual average of 7 in-branch Swift Wire Transfers at $40 per transfer); – $99.90 in fee savings for 10 free equity trades with iTRADE (10 free equity trades per year at $9.99/trade); Actual value will depend on individual usage of the StartRight™ Program features and products. Conditions apply. All products and features are subject to change. ii. Value of up to $1,800 in Scotiabank welcome offer value, first year point earn potential and foreign transaction fee savings includes the following as of March 4, 2025: – $500: $400 cash offer for new Preferred and Ultimate Package clients who complete certain qualifying conditions plus, get an extra $100 with a new eligible registered account and complete certain qualifying transactions; – $300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months; – $100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months); – $50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients; – $137 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average first year annual foreign spend per account (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by card issuers); – $399 in first year point earn potential (30,000 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual first year spend per account with an average spend of 20% in 2X accelerator categories; – $359 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$359/USD$259). Currency conversion as at October 25, 2024. Actual offers and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply. |
| ◊ | Applies to select banking packages and registered accounts. To qualify, certain conditions must be met. |
| 1 | The Scotiabank $500 Cash Bonus Bundle Offer (the “Offer”) is available between March 4, 2025 and April 30, 2025 (the “Offer Period”) to individuals who open new eligible accounts. Subject to the Offer conditions, eligible clients can: i) Earn $400 when they open a new Preferred Package or Ultimate Package chequing account and complete certain qualifying transactions. ii) Earn an additional $100 when they meet the conditions for the $400 bonus and open a new Eligible Registered Account (as defined below) with either The Bank of Nova Scotia or Scotia Securities Inc. (together, “Scotiabank”) and complete certain qualifying transactions. For the purposes of this Offer, the following Scotia Registered Accounts are defined as “Eligible Registered Accounts”: Scotia Registered Retirement Savings Plans (excluding Spousal RRSPs and locked- in plans such as LIRAs and LRSPs) (each an “RRSP”), Scotia Tax-Free Savings Accounts (each a “TFSA”) and Scotia First Home Savings Accounts (each a “FHSA”). Scotia RRIFs (including locked-in income plans), RESPs, RDSPs, and non-registered Scotia Investment Accounts are not included in the definition and are not eligible for the Offer. $400 Cash Bonus for Preferred or Ultimate Package Conditions: To qualify for the $400 cash bonus (the “Package Bonus”), you must: 1. Open a new Ultimate Package or new Preferred Package chequing account (the “Eligible Chequing Account”) during the Offer Period; and 2. Complete any two (2) of the following activities in your Eligible Chequing Account within 60 days of Eligible Chequing Account opening: – Set up and receive at least one eligible† automated and recurring direct deposit, such as payroll or pension, which will recur monthly for a minimum of six (6) consecutive months, or – Set up and make a minimum of two (2) separate eligible† recurring pre-authorized transactions with a minimum value of at least $50 per transaction which will each recur monthly for a minimum of six (6) consecutive months, or – Make at least one (1) eligible† online bill payment of at least $50 through the Scotiabank Mobile App or through Scotia OnLine. † Click here for a list of eligible direct deposits, pre-authorized transactions and online bill payments. Notwithstanding a transaction may be included in these lists, certain exclusions may still apply and Scotiabank reserves the right to modify these lists and to determine whether a specific direct deposit, pre-authorized transaction or bill payment is eligible for the Package Bonus. Fund transfers initiated to other Scotiabank accounts (one time or recurring, e.g. credit card or savings account), to chequing or savings accounts held at other financial institutions, or to payment processing firms, are not eligible for the Package Bonus. $100 Registered Account Bundle Conditions: To qualify for the $100 cash bonus (the “Registered Bundle Bonus”), you must meet the conditions for the $400 Package Bonus, and: 1. During the Offer Period and within 60 days of opening your Eligible Chequing Account, open a new Eligible Registered Account; and 2. Within 60 days of the Eligible Registered Account opening, contribute or transfer in a minimum of CAD $5,000 into your new Eligible Registered Account and maintain that minimum amount each day for at least three (3) consecutive months. Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently holders of, or who were previously holders within the last two (2) years of, a Scotiabank Chequing Account are not eligible for the Package Bonus. “Scotiabank Chequing Account” means any of the following accounts: Ultimate Package, Preferred Package, Scotia One Account, Basic Plus Bank Account, Basic Banking Plan, Basic Bank Account, Momentum Chequing, Power Chequing, Scotia One Service, Scotia Value, Student Banking Advantage Plan. In order to qualify for the Registered Bundle Bonus, the individual cannot have held the same type of Eligible Registered Account (as that opened during the Offer Period) with Scotiabank in the six (6) months preceding the Offer Period. Employees of Scotiabank are also not eligible for these Offers. General Terms: Provided all Package Bonus conditions outlined above have been met, the Package Bonus will be deposited to the Eligible Chequing Account within approximately nine (9) months from Account open date. Provided all of the Registered Bundle Bonus conditions outlined have been met, the Registered Bundle Bonus will be deposited to your Eligible Registered Account within approximately ten (10) months from the Eligible Registered Account open date. You have 24 months from the date you believe you have fulfilled the applicable Offer conditions to notify us if you have not received the applicable cash bonus so that we may confirm your eligibility. For clients investing in non-Canadian dollar currencies, the investment will be calculated based on Canadian dollar equivalent at the Scotiabank rate on the transaction date to determine eligibility for the offer. The Package Bonus and Registered Bundle Bonus will be paid in Canadian dollars. For either cash bonus to be fulfilled, the Eligible Chequing Account and the Eligible Registered Account, as applicable, must be open and in good standing until the time of payout of the cash bonus. The Eligible Chequing Account is not in “good standing” if any of the following conditions are not met: (i) it has a negative balance exceeding the authorized overdraft limit, (ii) it has been in continuous overdraft for a period of three consecutive months, or (iii) the Account holder is in breach of the Account agreement with Scotiabank. For purposes of this Offer, an Eligible Registered Account is not in ‘good standing’ if the account holder is in breach of the Eligible Registered Account’s client account agreement. This Offer is non-transferable and may not be duplicated. Limit of one (1) Package Bonus and one (1) Registered Bundle Bonus per client (total bonus of up to $500), regardless of the number of Eligible Chequing Accounts or Eligible Registered Accounts opened. If more than one (1) Eligible Chequing Account is opened, only the first Eligible Chequing Account opened will be eligible for the Package Bonus. If more than one (1) Eligible Registered Account is opened, only the first Eligible Registered Account that fulfilled the Registered Bundle Bonus Offer conditions will be eligible for the Registered Bundle Bonus. If two (2) Eligible Registered Accounts fulfill on the same day, the Registered Bundle Bonus will be paid into only one of the Eligible Registered Account(s) in the following order: (1) Eligible TFSA, then (2) Eligible FHSA, then (3) Eligible RRSP. For joint Eligible Chequing Accounts, only one (1) Package Bonus will be applied to the primary account holder’s Eligible Chequing Account and only the primary holder of the Eligible Chequing Account is eligible to receive the Registered Bundle Bonus. All rates, fees, features and benefits are subject to change. This Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers, except the Scotiabank Registered Account Welcome Offer. All other terms and conditions of the Eligible Chequing Accounts and Eligible Registered Accounts continue to apply – please refer to the Day-to-Day Banking Companion Booklet or Investment Companion Booklet, as applicable. All rates, fees, features and benefits are subject to change. |
| 2 | To qualify for the 1-Year No Monthly Account Fee Offer (the “Offer”), open a new Preferred Package account under the StartRight™ Program (the “Account”). During the first 12 months, your monthly Account fee will be waived and will not appear as a charge on your Account. The Account must be open and in good standing at the time of the waiver. All applicable service charges on the Account will continue to be applied monthly. After the first 12 months, you will begin to see the monthly Account fee charged to your Account unless you maintain a minimum daily closing balance of $4,000, in which case the monthly Account fee will be waived per the Account terms and conditions. Employees of Scotiabank and individuals who are currently or were previously holders/joint holders of a Scotiabank chequing account within the last 2 years are not eligible for this Offer. This Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers except as otherwise permitted. Maximum one Offer per customer. All rates, fees, features and benefits are subject to change. Offer may be changed, cancelled, or extended at any time without notice. |
| 3 | Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, first year point earn potential, foreign transaction fee and airport lounge savings as of October 25, 2024: $300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months (see offer details); $100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months); $50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients; $137 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average first year annual oreign spend per account (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers); $399 in first year point earn potential (30,000 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account with an average spend of 20% in 2X accelerator categories; $359 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$359/USD$259. Currency conversion as at October 25, 2024. Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345 Actual offers, savings and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply. |
| 4 | For customers onboarded as a part of the Scotiabank StartRight® Program we do not charge a service fee for the transfer, however, foreign currency exchange rates apply. A transfer needs to be made from an eligible Scotiabank Chequing or Savings account. Subject to daily limits and additional terms and conditions as set out in the Scotiabank International Money Transfer Agreement found at https://www.scotiabank.com/international-money-transfer. |
| 5 | Conditions apply. Offer valid for new Scotia iTRADE® accounts, excluding Cash Optimizer Investment accounts, opened by new Scotia iTRADE clients who do not already have an existing account with Scotia iTRADE. If you open one or more new Scotia iTRADE account(s) (each, a “New Account”) and fund the New Account(s) within 60 days of opening the New Account(s) with at least CAD $1,000 in cash or in Net Equity (cheque deposit, electronic funds transfer or transfer of assets) (“Minimum Amount”), from an account that is not held at Scotia iTRADE, (1) the commissions associated with the first 10 online commissionable trades of Equities, Options and ETFs placed within 365 days of the date when you funded your New Account(s) with the Minimum Amount will be credited back to the corresponding New Account within 30 days of each order fill, to a maximum amount of $9.99 per trade in the currency of the account (maximum total commission rebate of $99.90), (2) the amount of the transfer-in fee charged by another Canadian broker will be credited to your New Account (up to $150 per client) subject to Scotia iTRADE’s receipt of the documentation evidencing such transfer-in fee. Scotia iTRADE reserves the right to charge you all or part of the commissions associated with the first 10 online trades completed within 365 days of funding your New Account(s) (when such commissions were previously credited back to your New Account(s)) if the conditions of the offer are not complied with. Scotia iTRADE reserves the right to modify and/or cancel this offer at any time without notice in its sole discretion. Clients must enter the promotional code SRPE15 (English) or SRPF15 (French) when submitting the New Account application to qualify. To qualify for this offer, you must satisfy Scotia iTRADE’s Canadian residency requirements, have a valid Social Insurance Number, be eligible to open a Scotia iTRADE account, maintain all of your accounts at Scotia iTRADE in good standing, not be in a disallowed debit position and not have any outstanding margin calls due. This offer has no cash redemption value. This offer cannot be transferred or combined with any other promotional offer (excluding Refer-a-Friend). Limited to one offer per client. In case of joint account only one account holder will be entitled to receive free equity trades. |
| ® | Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. |
| ™ | Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. |
| ™* | Scene+ and the Icon Design are trademarks of Scene Plus IP Corporation. Used under license. |
| § | Interac is a registered trade-mark of Interac Corp. Used under licence. |
| ** | Visa Int./Licensed User. |
| ® | Scotia iTRADE® (Order-Execution Only Accounts) is a division of Scotia Capital Inc. (“SCI”). SCI is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Scotia iTRADE does not provide investment advice or recommendations and investors are responsible for their own investment decisions. |
| ® | Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license. |