BMO Banking for International students
Current pathway: Student banking route rather than the PR/worker NewStart Performance offer.
Which BMO program applies?
BMO Student Chequing Account. BMO currently offers no-monthly-fee student banking for qualifying full-time students for the length of the school program, with an additional year after graduation when eligibility is confirmed.
Documents to prepare
- Study permit
- Government photo ID
- Proof of full-time registration and expected graduation date
Credit-card note
Student credit products and limits have separate approval rules.
Can you apply before arriving in Canada?
BMO currently allows eligible permanent residents, foreign workers and international students from qualifying countries to open a pre-arrival chequing account when coming to Canada within 12 months. The pre-arrival account is activated in Canada after arrival.
See BMO pre-arrival requirements →
If you do not qualify for the special newcomer offer
FCAC states that a person may be able to open a bank account with proper identification even if they are not a Canadian citizen or live in another country. Special newcomer promotions have narrower bank-specific eligibility than the underlying right to seek a basic account.
This matters because a five-year newcomer window, minimum work-permit term or student-program rule can determine whether you receive a promotion without necessarily deciding whether an ordinary personal account can be opened.
Primary sources
BMO — Newcomers to Canada →
BMO NewStart pre-arrival process →
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Opening a bank account →
Next step: compare costs
BMO newcomer account fee calculator →
Check all four major-bank pathways →
See the full eligibility reference →
Research snapshot: September 13, 2026. This page screens published eligibility language; it does not guarantee account opening or credit approval.