When you apply online in Canada for a credit card with instant approval, you can be approved in under a minute. If approved, you’ll typically get your card in the mail within 1-2 weeks. Some of these instant approval credit cards let you begin using the card right away.
Compare popular credit cards in Canada with instant approval and learn the 4 easy steps to easily apply for an instant approval credit card in Canada in our guide below.
| Card | Instant approval? | Minimum credit score | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | RBC Cash Back Mastercard |  | 650 |
|
 | Neo Credit Mastercard | | 710 |
|
 | BMO CashBack Mastercard | | 660 |
|
 | American Express Cobalt Card | | 700 |
|
 | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | | 600 | |
 | Tangerine World Mastercard | | 600 | |
 | TD Rewards Visa Card | | 600 (typically) | |
 | CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card | | 600 (typically) |
An instant approval credit card has an application that returns a decision within a few minutes or less. Typically these are some of the easiest credit cards to get approved for in Canada. Applications are online and usually take around 10 minutes to complete.
Credit cards with instant approval are mostly aimed at those with good to excellent credit scores. Even if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and have an excellent credit score, there are a number of reasons your application may be declined. An instant approval credit card in Canada doesn’t mean your approval is guaranteed.
Yes, some cards, such as the Brim Financial Mastercard, act like an instant use credit card and allow users to begin transacting through Apple Pay within seconds of being approved. For more information, visit our Brim Mastercard review here.
To qualify for instant approval credit cards in Canada, you’ll need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, be old enough to apply (at least the age of majority in your province or territory), have some form of valid income and meet a minimum credit score threshold (typically between 600 and 700) set by the credit card provider.
After you apply for a credit card online, the credit card provider will access your credit history report from one of the online national credit bureaus—Equifax or TransUnion. The provider’s algorithm will then almost instantly calculate whether or not you’re approved using the information on your credit report based on its eligibility requirements.
It’s only when there’s an issue with your application or credit history that it might take longer than 60 seconds for the issuer to process.
Applying online for credit cards with instant approval also has some security benefits. Your application will be protected by 128-bit encryption and an online application is easier to track, reducing the chance of lost documents.
Like any other credit card application, though, your approval will depend on your credit history, income and the information you included in your application.
Both traditional and digital banks offer credit cards with instant approval including, TD, RBC, BMO, Tangerine and Neo Financial, along with more alternative financial institutions like PC Financial and Canadian Tire.
The reason some banks do not offer instant approval credit cards is because certain technology has to be in place for you to get an almost-instant reply on your credit card application — and not all banks in Canada have invested in these security measures.
Here are some of the main providers in Canada that offer instant credit card approval:
The easiest credit card to get in Canada is a secured credit card like the Neo Secured Mastercard, which offers guaranteed approval, no hard credit check and no required credit score. Secured credit cards are less risky for card providers, so these cards are designed for easier approval.
As for unsecured credit cards, as long as you can meet some basic eligibility requirements (inlcuding a credit score of around 600 or higher), you have far more options for easy credit card approval in Canada. Consider cards like the RBC Cash Back Mastercard, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card and more outlined here.
If you have a bad credit score, you won’t likely get approved for an unsecured instant approval credit card. The lowest credit score required for most unsecured credit cards in Canada is 600. Below that, you’ll have a much higher chance of approval with a secured card, like the Neo Secured Mastercard.
If you’re credit score is around 600, consider instant approval unsecured cards like the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card or the Neo Credit Mastercard.
You’ll usually only find legitimate guaranteed approval offers in Canada for secured credit cards, like the Neo Secured Mastercard. Since customers have to secure the credit card with funds before using it, much of the risk to credit card providers is automatically lessened.
These cards are often designed to help you build up your credit score. Unsecured credit cards in Canada will not typically come with guaranteed approval.
Unfortunately, you can’t avoid a credit check when applying for an instant approval unsecured credit card unless you’re applying for a second card with the same provider. Alternatively, certain secured credit cards in Canada, like the Neo Secured Mastercard, offer instant approval and no hard credit check.
That’s because each time you apply for a credit card, the lender checks your credit score as part of your application process. The lender needs to know if you are a trustworthy borrower and your credit score and history are the biggest indicators of that.
To improve your chances of getting credit cards with instant approval, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to make sure you’ve completed your application properly.
It’s important to compare your options before applying. Rather than basing your decision on the fact that you could potentially receive approval within 60 seconds, make sure to consider the following:
Make sure you can afford the card and that it offers the extra features you need to manage your credit.
While you could receive approval within 60 seconds, you won’t receive approval at all if you don’t meet the eligibility requirements. Some of the criteria you’ll be expected to meet include:
When you apply for a credit card online, you’ll be required to attach a number of documents and provide some personal information to receive instant approval. Some of the personal information you’ll need to provide includes:
To ensure a smooth and quick application process, make sure you have these details on hand before you begin your application.
You can apply for most instant approval credit cards online. You can often apply within 10 minutes and get approved within 60 seconds. Once you’ve compared your options, made sure you meet the eligibility criteria and organized the necessary documents, you can select the ‘Go to Site’ button to begin your secure online application.
Once you’ve submitted your application, you should receive your response within 60 seconds. You’ll either be approved, rejected or, if the bank needs to investigate a detail of your application in further detail, left pending.
Once you’ve compared different credit card options, you can apply for a credit card online. Before you apply, be sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the relevant documents on hand.
Although it can vary between different credit card providers, to apply—even for some of the easiest credit cards to get approved for in Canada, you would usually have to meet the following eligibility criteria:
You also need to provide different types of information, which could include the following:
If your application for an instant approval credit card is rejected, you shouldn’t apply for another credit card straight away. Applying for several credit cards in a short period and having rejected applications on your credit file can further damage your credit score. Instead, you might want to try the following:
Getting an instant approval on your credit card in cases of emergency comes with benefits, such as:
Credit card eligibility requirements generally increase in demand with premium cards, like gold, black and platinum cards, that typically include more perks and benefits. That said, the following types of credit cards may have lower requirements for a successful application, and will be easy credit cards to get in Canada:
Instead of applying for an easy approval credit card, consider if getting a prepaid card might be a better fit. Prepaid cards work just like any other credit card, except you have to load money onto the card first. Because that greatly reduces the risk for the card issuer, prepaid cards are often easier to get approved for compared to credit cards.
You can reload prepaid cards at any time and use them for purchases wherever credit cards are accepted. Since your credit score won’t be affected when you use a prepaid card, they are usually fairly quick and easy to apply for.
Many prepaid cards also come with some of the same conveniences that using a major credit card offers, like the ability to earn cashback rewards on your spending.
When you’re looking for the easiest credit card to get approved for in Canada, you do have options. Applying for credit cards with instant approval is the fastest way to apply for a credit card online and get a credit card sooner. As instant approval credit cards still require you to meet the relevant eligibility requirements, it’s important to compare your options and prepare your application before submitting it to improve your chances of approval.
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