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Useful tips and advice
Articles
Working Holiday news and updates.
In-depth guides and step-by-step how-tos
Plan your international adventure.
Stories from the road
First-hand experiences and feedback.
Guide to Working Holiday in Canada
Download it for free!
Pre-trip prep
Must-read articles for trip planning.
Social media
Join us on our social media!
Events
All our virtual and physical events.
Study abroad
Study abroad opportunities (academic, professional development and foreign languages).
Back
General
Job Offers
Explore
CV Database
Explore
Finding a job during a Working Holiday adventure
Explore
Candidates
Employers
Back
Travel insurance solutions
WHV Insurance
Globe WHV
Pvtistes.net has been recommending the Working Holiday insurance policy since 2005.
Globe Partner
The insurance expert recommended by pvtistes.net for holidays, study abroad programs and round-the-world adventures.
Globe Traveller
A customisable multi-risks protection to travel with complete peace of mind.
Repatriation Assistance
The insurance policy to complement expats coverage with flexible, adapted solutions.
62 reviews

Welcome to Canada!

A welcome offer just for newcomers

At Desjardins, the leading financial cooperative group in Canada, we'll help you get settled with our welcome offer for newcomers1:

Everyday account with a free transaction plan and unlimited transactions for 2 years after your account is opened2.

A credit card,3 potentially with no annual fee,4 even if you have no credit history.

Free legal assistance5 for 2 years after your account is opened. This confidential phone service provides unlimited access to lawyers and notaries for reliable information about your rights and obligations.

The welcome offer for newcomers to Canada is for you if you are not yet a Desjardins member or if you have been a member for less than a year and you are:

- a permanent resident who has been living in Canada for 3 years or less or
- a temporary worker who has a work permit for more than 8 months
- age 18 or over

Complementary products and services:

  • Recognition of all previous driving experience when getting an auto insurance quote6.
  • Online international transfers of up to $5,000 per day7.

Why open an account with Desjardins?

  • You can apply online from your home country so it's easy to transfer your money before you leave.
  • Withdrawals are free8 and easy because of our extensive ATM network.
  • Insurance is also available.

Visit www.desjardins.com/newcomers to find out all the benefits of starting your new life with Desjardins.

  1. 1. This offer is available upon request and is subject to change without notice at any time. Other terms and conditions may apply. Contact an advisor to confirm your eligibility for this offer.
  2. 2. The fee waiver only applies to a member's Unlimited plan for a single folio (individual or joint account).
  3. 3. Credit cards are issued and credit limits are set based on the applicant's credit risk. Contact an advisor to confirm your eligibility for this offer. Some restrictions apply.
  4. 4. Depending on the card chosen, you have 21 or 25 days from the date the monthly statement is issued to pay the full balance on your account without interest (except on cash advances). The minimum payment due is 5% of the total statement balance. This includes the balance shown on your account statement for the previous period, any interest or monthly instalments that were not paid on the due date for that period, purchases made during that period, and any cash advances from the current statement period, plus the interest charged on those cash advances. This amount will also include any other amounts due under your credit card contract. Here are some examples of applicable interest charges for a standard 30-day billing cycle. If the regular annual interest rate is 19.9% and your average daily outstanding balance is $100, you'll be charged $1.64 in interest. If it's $500, you'll be charged $8.18 in interest, and if it's $1,000, you'll be charged $16.36 in interest. If the regular annual interest rate is 10.9%, and your average daily outstanding balance is $100, you'll be charged $0.90 in interest. If it's $500, you'll be charged $4.48 in interest, and if it's $1,000, you'll be charged $8.96 in interest.
  5. 5. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. For more information, call 514-875-4137 or 1-877-435-6098 and mention that you have the Welcome Offer for Newcomers to Canada.
  6. 6. Applicable to principal drivers. In Quebec only. Certain restrictions, exclusions and limitations may apply. General insurance products are underwritten and distributed by Desjardins General Insurance Inc., provider of auto, home and business insurance.
  7. 7. Certain restrictions, exclusions and limitations may apply.
  8. 8. With an account including a monthly plan.

Useful information

Useful information for opening your account online

This section will help you answer the questions on the online account application.

Additional questions section

For the question What is the intended use of the account?

Select Budget management

Fiscal residence section

  • Select I am a tax resident of a country other than Canada or the United States.
  • Enter your taxpayer identification number (TIN), which you can find on your tax documents from your home country.

Address in Canada section

Enter the address where you’re planning to live, even temporarily, so we can choose the caisse (branch) that’s closest to you. When you arrive, we’ll update it with your permanent address.

Status section

Canadian residency status:

  • If you have a Working Holiday Visa: Working Holiday Program.
  • If you’re a young professional: Temporary foreign worker.

Occupation section

  • Type: Other
  • Position: Looking for job, working holiday or young professional

How to take advantage of this offer?

  • Apply online to open a bank account before you leave for Canada so you can become a member of a Desjardins caisse.
  • Have a valid Working Holiday Visa when you open the account or be a permanent resident living in Canada for 3 years or less or be a temporary foreign worker with a work permit valid for more than 8 months (Young Professionals or VIE permit, for example).
  • When you arrive in Canada, go to the office located at 1101 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montreal QC H3B 1H8, if you can, to complete the account opening process.

After that, your account will be managed by the caisse of your choice in Quebec or Ontario.

If you’re not planning to travel through Montreal, you can pre-open your account online, transfer your money, then finish the process at the caisse where you’re going to have your account.

Coming to study in Canada?

With Desjardins, get a bank account with a free monthly plan and unlimited free transactions. We’ll help you manage your money without the headaches.

Find out more about the student offer

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Desjardins

Desjardins, a trusted financial institution

As the largest cooperative financial institution in Canada and the leading financial institution in Quebec, Desjardins has a solid reputation. Desjardins Group ranks 4th among the Safest Banks in North America according to Global Finance, and its capital ratios and credit ratings are among the best in the industry.

Desjardins has over 7 million members and clients spanning over 290 caisses in Quebec and Ontario (Ottawa and Toronto), and gives you access to over 2,000 ATMs and nearly 1,000 service outlets.

OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN CANADA BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE
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62 Reviews

Please leave your feedback or ask questions

Yoan
0 8
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,

I did not prefer to create a Desjardins account before I really arrived in Canada in view of all the uncertainties related to access to Canada at the moment. But it’s good I arrived in Canada with my wife. Can I still benefit from the free Desjardins newcomer offer with 1 month of ACS insurance offered?

Thank you in advance for your return.

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello Yoan!
Thank you for your comment.
We answer you in private message
Good luck in Canada!

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello Yoan!
Thank you for your comment.
We answer you in private message
Good luck in Canada!

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Benoit
3 3
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,
I have been trying to open an account for 3 days but during the step of choosing the fund, the site turns in circles and suddenly impossible to continue. What to do?

thank you

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,

First of all, thank you for your interest in Desjardins and congratulations on your project in Canada.
It seems that we had a technical problem on the account opening page but after a test this morning it seems to be resolved.
For the “Address in Canada” section, you can give us the address where you think you will reside even temporarily or work to allow us to choose the Fund (= agency) most convenient for you. We can then modify it with your final address.
If the problem persists, I suggest you contact us at [email protected]
In addition, here is a summary of the support provided by Desjardins for your needs
Desjardins is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with more than 7 million members and clients
We are committed to providing the best possible support to people who have a life project in Canada, as you will read at http://www.desjardins.com/VivreAuCanada or in the brochure to download at https://www.lacabanedesjardins.fr/assets/ pdf / guide_desjardins.pdf
We also offer free conferences to help you prepare for your project or when you arrive in Canada:
Before your departure: Information and registration on http://www.eventbrite.fr/o/la-cabane-desjardins-18442538366
After your arrival: Information and registration on http://www.eventbrite.ca/o/desjardins-equipe-des-nouveaux-arrivants-18806275829
If you have other Canadian banking questions, we invite you to contact our dedicated team for newcomers and non-residents directly: + 1-514-875-4266, option 1 [email protected]

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kimi26
0 4
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello, I’m only going to stay in Montreal for 5 months, can someone tell me if I can leave the bank after these 5 months? Thank you 🙂

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,
Thank you for your interest in Desjardins.
You can open your account remotely at http://www.desjardins.com/OuvrirCompte.
You can then finalize it in Canada (Quebec or Ontario)
the condition for most banks in Canada is to stay at least 6 months in Canada.
If you stay 5 months in Montreal and then at least 1 month in another province, you are eligible for an account in Canada and with Desjardins.
Indeed, our means of payment (debit card, credit card, checks, INTERAC transfers, etc.) work across Canada.
So if you travel in Canada outside Quebec and Ontario, you can pay with the 2 debit or credit cards at no additional cost.
In addition, cash withdrawals are rare in Canada because the 2 debit and credit cards are “contactless” up to $ 100
Finally, if you do not have any nearby Desjardins ATMs, you can always withdraw cash free of charge, with your debit card, in a grocery store, using “cash back” (see page 62 of the guide)
https://www.lacabanedesjardins.fr/assets/pdf/guide_desjardins.pdf
If you have other Canadian banking questions, we invite you to contact our dedicated team for newcomers and non-residents directly: + 1-514-875-4266, option 1 [email protected]

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Nass19
4 15
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello, how many times can I make a withdrawal per week? With an account opened online for new students.
Thank you

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Julie
3.2K 8.9K
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello Nass, with the newcomers’ offer detailed above, you have an unlimited number of transactions (including withdrawals) 🙂

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Nass19
4 15
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello, how many times can I make a withdrawal per week? With an account opened online for new students.
Thank you

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Maxime
0 2
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,
I took the necessary steps to open my account online and I received an email from Desjardins.
However, I cannot open the attached document, even by entering my passport number as a password. Can you help me?
Cordially.

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Good morning.
Thank you for your interest in Desjardins.

Following the first email with your Desjardins RIB from our Newcomers team, you must have received a second one containing a password to open it.

WARNING: emails sometimes arrive in the SPAM or unwanted mail box.

If this is not the case, you can directly contact our team dedicated to new arrivals and non-residents:
+1-514-875-4266, option 1
[email protected]

Cordially

Desjardins Europe

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Good morning
Thank you for your trust in Desjardins.
To ensure that you have the correct password, I invite you to contact our Newcomers team directly at [email protected] or at 001 514 875 42 66 option 1.
Cordially
Desjardins Europe

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Bérénice
12 17
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello !
It seems, when opening a remote account, that it is necessary to give the address that we will have in Canada. Except I intend (as many surely!) To take advantage of the Working Holiday Permit to change place and even province more or less regularly … what should I communicate as an address?

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Aurélie
10 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello.
Thank you for your interest in Desjardins.
For the “Address in Canada” section, you can tell us the neighborhood where you think you will even be living temporarily or work to allow us to choose the Caisse (= agency) most convenient for you. Then we can change it with your final address.
If you have other Canadian banking questions, we invite you to directly contact our team dedicated to newcomers and non-residents:
+ 1-514-875-4266, option 1 [email protected]

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