Opening an account before your arrival

Desjardins, your ally in achieving your projects in Canada!

We are proud to have Desjardins as a partner and collaborator, especially since Desjardins offers personalized support for immigrants, including:

Opening an account before your arrival;
Access to a checking account with a free monthly package¹, including unlimited transactions;
Complementary products and services to meet your credit, insurance, and other needs;
Conferences dedicated to new arrivals about the Canadian financial system.

Whether you are settling permanently or temporarily, Desjardins offers unique and personalized coaching to help you along your journey with advice, services and products that fit your needs.

Even before you arrive in Canada, Desjardins’s multilingual team can provide guidance regarding your financial planning and allow you to submit an application to open an account online from abroad.

After opening an account, you can transfer funds to your Desjardins account* even before you leave, and access it quickly upon your arrival.

Complete the account application form

Welcome offer

Discover Desjardins’s offers, designed specifically for recent and future newcomers like you!

A successful arrival does not just magically happen!

These people chose Desjardins to start their new life in Quebec!

After navigating cultural differences, Christophe finally feels at home here

My financial life in Canada: Webinars for newcomers – in French only)

Are you new to Canada or planning on moving here soon?

To help you start your financial journey on the right foot, we’ve prepared a series of French language webinars to address topics of interest for newcomers to Canada. For example:
•    Relevant information to help you make informed financial decisions
•    Advice that fits your reality
•    Thoughtful assistance to support your financial integration in Canada

We’re here to help guide the way during this important time.

Register

Navigating canadian banking: a guide for newcomers to Canada

This webinar is available in French, English and Spanish. It was created to address the needs of newcomers who are interested in learning about how Canadian financial institutions work. Join us for an essential webinar tailored for newcomers to Canada, where we demystify the Canadian banking system. Learn key insights into opening accounts, understanding credit scores, managing finances, and many other important elements. Whether you've just arrived or are planning to move, this session equips you with vital knowledge to navigate Canadian banking confidently.

Register

Other products and services

Additionally, Desjardins offers a range of complementary services to help you start your new life in Quebec.

Credit cards: Even if you don't have a credit history, you can contact an advisor and apply for a credit card so you can start building your credit history in Canada².
Visitors to Canada Insurance³: In case you have an accident or become ill, this insurance provides coverage for healthcare and emergency services during the waiting period before you can get coverage, if eligible, under a provincial or territorial health insurance plan.
Insurance products to protect you against unexpected events:
Car insurance: Car insurance is mandatory in Canada if you operate a motor vehicle.
Tenant insurance: A tenant insurance protects your belongings, which are not covered by your landlord’s insurance and your additional relocation expenses in the event of a loss. It also covers your liability.
Travel insurance;

And more!
Discover our offers for newcomers to Canada

Desjardins, your ally in achieving your projects in Canada!
* Visit desjardins.com/offers/newcomers.

Legal notes:

This offer may change or end at any time without notice. Some conditions apply.
Desjardins conducts a credit risk assessment before issuing credit cards and setting credit limits. Speak with an advisor to see if you're eligible for this offer. Some conditions apply.
To be eligible for Visitors to Canada Insurance, you must be between 15 days and 84 years old and fall into one of the following categories: Canadians not covered by a provincial or territorial health insurance plan, newcomers waiting to be covered by a provincial or territorial health insurance plan, foreign workers with a work visa, international students with a student visa, or visitors to Canada. Excludes working holiday visa holders. For more information, see the Visitors to Canada Insurance page. Visitors to Canada Insurance is underwritten by Desjardins Insurance, which refers to Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company.
Account openings and money transfers from certain countries may be restricted or prohibited under Canadian or international economic sanctions. Some fees apply. For more information on these fees, see the Service Fees guide on www.desjardins.com.