Scotiabank is here to support you through your journey. From understanding banking basics, finding the right advisor, setting financial goals and more — the StartRightTM Program will help make banking in Canada easier.
StartRight™ Program for newcomers
Welcome bonus
No monthly account fees
Earn up to $1,100 in value
International money transfers
Free equity trades
No credit history? No problem.
![](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-Final-1-copy.webp)
Start Right in Canada
The Scotiabank Advantage
- ScotiaRise, our 10-year, $500M commitment to foster economic resilience among disadvantaged groups including helping newcomers feel at home faster. Learn more
- The Scotiabank StartRight® Program is designed to help newcomers access credit, savings, no-fee international money transfers and help from Scotiabank Advisors
- The Scotiabank Student GIC Program can help students meet their study permit requirements faster by showing proof of funds
Learn more about banking with Scotiabank.
Banking packages and products designed for you
The StartRight™ Program
Earn up to $2,000* in value the first year with the Scotiabank StartRight® Program designed for newcomers.
Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC)
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 expert and set up an account specifically for international students.
Credit Cards
Get up to a $15,000 credit 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.
Book an online appointment here.
Get in touch with a Scotiabank representative at [email protected].
Phone
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 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST, and Saturday: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
From Overseas
(Monday to Friday: 4 am to 9pm EST)
For the International Account opening program:
- 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
Contact your local phone operator to place a free collect call. Long distance charges will apply for direct calls.
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.
Recent articles by Scotiabank
![](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-Final-2.webp)
The top 5 banking challenges for newcomers and how to overcome them
Read more
![](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Access-Granted-GettyImages-1398709825_FINAL-copy.webp)
Renting in Canada – What you need to know
Read more
![](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-Final-1-copy.webp)
How to buy a home as a newcomer in Canada
Read more
![](https://moving2canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Access-Granted-GettyImages-1470212258_Final-copy.webp)
How to choose the right destination province for your move to Canada
Read more
Terms & Conditions
- * Value of up to $2,000 is calculated as follows: i) up to first year value with the StartRightTM Program + ii) Up to in Preferred Package, TFSA/RRSP and Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite welcome offer and first year point earn potential:
1. Value of up to $1,183 is an annual potential value for the first year based on the following benefits and savings available to StartRightTM customers as of August 1, 2024:- $600: $350 cash offer for new Preferred and Ultimate Package clients who complete certain qualifying conditions plus up to $250 when you open a new RRSP, FHSA, or TFSA and complete certain qualifying transactions.
- $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.
- Value of up to $1,100 in Scotiabank welcome offers and first year point earn potential includes the following offers as of August 1st 2024:
- $250value for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite customers who can earn up to 30,000 bonus Scene+TM* points
- $50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients;
- $100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months)
- $100 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).
- $250 in first year point earn potential (25,000 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual first year spend per account with an average spend of 21% in 2X accelerator categories;.
- $350 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership and 6 lounge passes (annual membership plus one free visit of approx. CAD$134/USD$99 plus 5 lounge passes at CDN$48/USD$35 per pass). Currency conversion as at February 28, 2024
Actual offers and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
◊ Customers must meet eligibility requirements to open a Scotia RSP, Scotia TFSA and Scotia FHSA by providing a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). To open a Scotia FHSA customers must also be Canadian residents who are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in the province and not turning 72 in the year the account is opened, and declare they meet the first-time home buyer criteria as defined in the Income Tax Act. While customers may open a Scotia RSP, Scotia TFSA or Scotia FHSA with an eligible Temporary SIN, customers must provide a valid permanent SIN or a new expiry date before the temporary SIN’s expiry date. Failure to do so will result in the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) de-registering the account, which may have tax implications. Additionally, there are tax implications related to Scotia RSP, Scotia TFSA and Scotia FHSA when a customer becomes a non-resident of Canada. We suggest that customers consult with their tax advisors or visit CRA’s website for further information. If Scotia Securities Inc. is the dealer of your Scotia RSP, Scotia TFSA or Scotia FHSA, your account will be restricted should you become a non-resident of Canada, and any Pre-authorized Contributions (PACs) set up on the account will be cancelled.
- $600 Banking Package and Registered Account Bundle Offer Description and Conditions:
The Scotiabank $600 Cash Bonus Bundle Offer (the “Offer”) is available between August 1, 2024 and October 31, 2024 (the “Offer Period”) to individuals who open new eligible accounts. Subject to the conditions below, eligible customers can earn $350 when they open a new Preferred Package or Ultimate Package chequing account and complete certain qualifying transactions and an additional $250 boost when they open a new eligible Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Tax-Free Savings Account or First Home Savings Account (each an “Eligible Registered Account”) 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 eligible for the Offer: Scotia Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs, excluding 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 eligible for the Offer.
$350 Cash Bonus for Preferred or Ultimate Package Conditions: To qualify for the $350 cash bonus (the “Package Bonus”), you must:
- Open a new Ultimate Package or new Preferred Package chequing account (the “Eligible Chequing Account”) during the Offer Period; and
- Complete any two (2) of the following activities in your Eligible Chequing Account within 60 days of Eligible Chequing Account opening:
- Set up and clear 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 clear 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.
Up to $250 Registered Account Bundle Conditions: To qualify for up to $250 cash bonus (the “Bundle Bonus”), you must:
- Meet the conditions for the $350 Package Bonus;
- During the Offer Period and within 60 days of opening your Eligible Chequing Account, open a new Eligible Registered Account; and
- Within 60 days of the Eligible Registered Account opening, complete the following activities to earn the applicable Bundle Bonus:
- To earn $50: set up and clear recurring pre-authorized contributions (PACs) from any Scotiabank personal bank account of at least $100 total monthly into your new Eligible Registered Account, which must recur for a minimum of six (6) consecutive months; and/or
- To earn $200: 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 six (6) 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. Employees of Scotiabank are also not eligible for these Offers. In order to qualify for the 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.
General Terms: Provided all Package Bonus conditions outlined above have been met, the $350 Package Bonus will be deposited to the Eligible Chequing Account within approximately nine (9) months from Account open date. Provided all the Bundle Bonus conditions outlined above have been met, the additional Bundle Bonus (up to $250) will be deposited to your Eligible Chequing Account within approximately thirteen (13) 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 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 (3) 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 agreement. Customers are responsible to confirm their contribution limits noted on their most current Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency prior to making any contribution to their Eligible Registered Account(s). Scotiabank is not responsible for any contribution over a customer’s limit in connection with this Offer. For a spousal RRSP, the Bundle Bonus will be paid into the Eligible Chequing Account opened by the contributor.
This Offer is non-transferable and may not be duplicated. Limit of one (1) Package Bonus and one (1) Bundle Bonus per customer, regardless of the number of Eligible Chequing Accounts or Eligible Registered Accounts opened. If multiple Eligible Chequing Accounts or Eligible Registered Accounts are opened, only the first Eligible Chequing Account or first Eligible Registered Account opened, as applicable, will qualify for the respective Package Bonus or Bundle Bonus. For joint accounts, only the primary account holder is eligible for this Offer and only one (1) $350 Package Bonus and one (1) Bundle Bonus (up to $250), as applicable, will be applied to the primary account holder’s Eligible Chequing Account. 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.
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. Potential First Year Value = up to $1,100
Actual offers, savings and rewards earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
‡ Offer Description and Conditions: : The 25,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit card accounts (“Accounts”) that are opened by October 31, 2024 subject to the conditions below. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.
Plus, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit cardholder you are always eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $40,000 in everyday eligible purchases annually on your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite account. Conditions apply – see below for further details.
25,000 Bonus Scene+ Point Offer Description and Conditions: To qualify for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “25,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $1,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account within the first 3 months of the Account open date. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.
The 25,000 Point Bonus will be credited approximately 2-3 business days after the qualifying $1,000 in eligible purchases has been posted to the Account within the first 3 months of the Primary cardholder’s Account open date, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the 25,000 Point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying $1,000 in eligible purchases. If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction, the 25,000 Point Bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene+. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account. Bonus Offer applies to new Accounts only opened by October 31, 2024. All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer period.
10,000 Annual Bonus Scene+ Point Conditions: As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite credit cardholder you can earn an annual Scene+ point bonus starting at 10,000 Scene+ points when you make at least $40,000 in eligible purchases annually on your Account each year (12-months). Annual period starts from the Account open date and resets every 12 months thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for every additional $10,000 in eligible purchases thereafter in that same year, after the $40,000 annual spend has been reached. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.
The Annual bonus Scene+ points will be credited within approximately 2-3 business days after you have met the $40,000 annual spend threshold on the Account and within approximately 2-3 business days after you have met each additional $10,000 annual spend threshold on the Account, provided your Account is open and in good standing (as defined above).
Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter.
The current preferred annual interest rates for this Account are: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features and benefits are subject to change.
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.
6. Subject to credit approval. To be eligible, you must be a participant in the Scotiabank StartRight® Program. To qualify for a credit card, you must be a resident of Canada and the age of majority in your province/territory where you live. Your approval for a credit card and the credit limit assigned will be determined based on Scotiabank’s credit criteria, including your verifiable income and credit history (if available). The credit limit amount of up to $15,000 under the Scotiabank StartRight® Program is subject to change by Scotiabank from time to time without prior notice. A credit history in Canada is not required in order to be eligible for a credit card under the Scotiabank StartRight® Program.
7. You are awarded three (3) Scene+ Points for every eligible $1.00 purchase made at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Rachelle Béry, Les Marchés, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by Safeway and Voilà par IGA locations charged and posted to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Account. This list of eligible grocers may be changed from time to time without notice. See full list of participating merchants across Canada at scotiabank.com/participatingstores.
You are awarded two (2) Scene+ Points for every eligible $1.00 purchase on all other grocery (not listed above), dining, entertainment, and daily transit purchases charged and posted to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Account (the earn rates for each of the above categories and merchants are referred to as the “Accelerated Earn Rates”). See below for the Spend Threshold that applies to this Accelerated Earn Rate.
You are awarded one (1) Scene+ Point for every $1.00 in all other purchases of goods and services charged to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Account (the “Regular Earn Rate”).
Spend Threshold for the Accelerated Earn Rate (Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Accounts only):
You will earn the Accelerated Earn Rate on the first $50,000 in purchases made on your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite account (the “Account”) annually at the following: purchases made at merchants classified in the Visa credit card network as: Grocery Stores and Supermarkets; Eating Places and Restaurants, Drinking Places, Fast Food Restaurants; Entertainment including Motion Picture Theatres, Theatrical Producers, Ticket Agencies, Bands, Orchestras, Miscellaneous Entertainers; Railroads, Local and Suburban Commuter Passenger Transportation, including Ferries, Passenger Railways, Taxicabs and Limousines, Bus Lines, Transportation Services (Not Elsewhere Classified). Some merchants may sell other products/services or are separate merchants who are located on the premises of these merchants, but are classified by the credit card network in another manner, in which case this added benefit would not apply. The annual spend calculation for the $50,000 maximum threshold is calculated annually from January 1st to December 31st each year. You will earn 1 point per $1 on purchases made on the Account after the 2 points per $1 / $50,000 annual spend maximum is reached and on all other purchases made on the Account. Scene+ points are only awarded on purchases. Scene+ points are not awarded for cash advances, balance transfers, Scotia® Credit Card Cheques, payments, returns, refunds or other similar credits, fees or interest or other charges. All dollar amounts are in Canadian currency unless otherwise stated.
8. The Preferred Package account includes 1 free non-Scotiabank Interac ABM cash withdrawal within Canada per month. Access fee for each subsequent cash withdrawal at non-Scotiabank Interac ABMs will be charged $2.00 per withdrawal. Each cash withdrawal from non-Scotiabank Visa** or PLUS** ABMs will be charged $3.00 in Canada and the U.S. and $5.00 outside of Canada and the U.S. Account holders may still be charged a convenience fee by the other bank and ABM operator, not by Scotiabank.
9. Scene+ ScotiaCard® debit card: Earn 1 Scene+ Point for every $5 on debit purchases (up to a maximum of 300 points per transaction and 600 points per day) made from an eligible Scotiabank chequing or savings account using your Scene+ ScotiaCard debit card linked to a Scene+ membership, including Interac Debit contactless and Visa Debit transactions. Normal Interac Debit contactless transaction limits apply. Scene+ Points accumulated using your Scene+ ScotiaCard debit card will be updated within 2-3 days to the associated Scene+ account. Scene+ points are calculated on debit card purchases, less any refunds, returns, or other similar credits. Other conditions apply. Visit www.scotiabank.com/sceneplusrewards for full terms and conditions.
10. Additional fees apply for shared ABM services, cross-border debit transactions and other banking services not included in the chequing account package. For accounts that do not provide unlimited debit transactions, a charge for additional debit transactions may apply if you perform an Interac e-Transfer transaction over and above the number of debit transactions allowed in the account.
11. Preferred Package account holders will receive a boost to the Regular Interest Rate (the “Preferred Interest Rate Boost”). Refer to the Current Rates Page on Scotiabank.com for the Total Annual Interest Rate applicable to the Preferred Package (current Regular Interest Rate plus Preferred Interest Rate Boost), which is subject to change at any time without advance notice. It will take up to 10 business days after activating a Preferred Package account for the Preferred Interest Rate Boost to apply. The Preferred Interest Rate Boost will cease to apply effective as of the date that the Preferred Package account is closed. The Preferred Interest Rate Boost is an annual rate calculated daily on the MomentumPLUS Savings Account(s) closing balance and paid monthly.
®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.