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).
General
Job Offers
CV Database
Finding a job during a Working Holiday adventure
Candidates
Employers
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.
Back
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

image
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
remy
Our partners are available to answer any of your questions. Feel free to leave your comments.
Envoyer un message privé
Julie
Our partners are available to answer any of your questions. Feel free to leave your comments.
Envoyer un message privé

62 Reviews

Please leave your feedback or ask questions

Mathieu
5 8
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,

Concerning the online opening of an account I am a little blocked at the level “other identity document”:
I am first of all not sure of the number of the work visa if it is about “IUC” which appears on the LI or of the number located in a frame “reserved for the internal use” made up of a letter and numbers.
Then concerning the place of issue and the expiration date what to put?
I thank you in advance

translated by
Maïlys
0 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,

I have a question about opening an online account with Desjardins. Could you tell me what document you provided to the “other identification document (any official document issued by the government of Canada or by the government of Quebec as part of your immigration application.)”? I am a bit lost and I may turn my LI in all directions, I do not know what to put.
Thanking you!

translated by
Mathieu
3.4K 7.6K
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hi Mailys,
If you choose “Work Visa” and put the information of your LI, it does not work?

translated by
remy
8 17
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,

First of all, thank you for your interest in Desjardins and congratulations on your PVT project in Canada!

When opening an online account at http://www.desjardins.com/OpenCount, for section 5.2 Other ID (> Any official document issued by the Government of Canada or by the Government of Quebec as part of your request immigration)

• If you have your VISA, complete the section with the information related to your VISA:
o For type: enter “Work visa”
o For the number: enter the number starting with U, in the box on the second page of the acceptance letter.
o For the place of issue: enter “France”
o For the expiration date: enter the expected end date of your WHP (arrival date + 2 years)

If you have other banking questions, we invite you to contact our team dedicated to new arrivals directly:
– by dialing 001-514 875-4266, option 1
– by writing to [email protected]

Good success!

Rémy PARIS
Individual Market Director
Desjardins Europe representative office

translated by
Maureen
1 1
This review was posted in French. Show original

Good morning,

Before subscribing to this offer, I would like to know if it is possible to make bank transfers between Desjardins and our French bank? I imagine so, but at what cost?

Thank you in advance for your answer 🙂

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

Hello, yes you can make transfers from all banks to all banks in the world (apart from some, like in Argentina). Either you make a bank to bank transfer, or you make a money transfer (you can consult in our good plans, the page dedicated to Transfermate, which works well with PVTists). It may be interesting to compare the price of a transfer and the exchange rate applied by your bank and Transfermate (for example) and see the most advantageous for you 🙂

translated by
Khadija
13 67
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello,

I opened my Desjardins account remotely about 10 days ago in France and collected everything yesterday at rue Peel (except the transport card … not yet available). Advisor to the TOP … Explanations of the Canadian banking system … of the cooperative and the advantages (besides I could benefit from 10% at Rogers for my telephone subscription) … advice on everyday life, etc. …

translated by
Anonymous
0 0
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello I am very satisfied with my bank desjardins, I did everything remotely before leaving France and I saved a lot of time, I recommend transfer!

translated by
Agnes
0 4
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello.
As for me, I just arrived in Montreal and took care of opening my account on site.
I’m not at Desjardins. And I do not wish to advertise but know that most banks offer the first year of bank charges to newcomers. There’s no need to even negotiate, it’s their welcome offer. Debit and credit card offered.
The banks are really different here. You should know that each bank offers a fixed price for the number of bank transactions carried out per month, for a more or less high price (Absolutely any movement counts as a transaction. Except the deposit of money on your account by transfer).
The year of fees offered allows you to realize which package you will need the following year (we can make an average of the number of transactions and find our way thanks to that).
Then you have to see which bank offers what … Desjardins offers unlimited travel tickets on weekends, advantages with certain telephone operators … you have to take the time to shop around and find out. 😉

translated by
remy
8 17
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello.
We inform you that Desjardins also offers a very advantageous welcome offer for newcomers which includes:
– Savings account with operations including free unlimited transactions for 1 year
– Small safety deposit box free for 1 year
– Improved rate for non-redeemable term savings
– Recognition of years of driving experience
You will find the detailed content on http://www.desjardins.com/Welcome
We invite you to validate if you are eligible for this offer by contacting directly the team dedicated to newcomers to Desjardins:
– by calling 514 875-4266, option 1
– by writing to [email protected]
– by visiting http://www.desjardins.com/VivreAuCanada

Rémy PARIS
Individual Market Director
Desjardins Europe representative office

translated by
Delphine
16 100
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello
Do I have to open an account before leaving?
Because we just arrived 3 weeks ago. We have opened an account with desjardins but is the promotion valid even in this case?
Thanks in advance for the reply.

translated by
remy
8 17
This review was posted in French. Show original

Hello.
Opening an account before departure is not compulsory but recommended.
It allows you to anticipate administrative procedures, to transfer funds before your departure and to have means of payment as soon as you arrive on site.
If you have already opened your account in a Desjardins caisse, we thank you for your interest in Desjardins and invite you to contact the team dedicated to newcomers to Desjardins directly to take advantage of this offer:
– by calling 514 875-4266, option 1
– by writing to [email protected]
– by visiting http://www.desjardins.com/VivreAuCanada
Rémy PARIS
Individual Market Director
Desjardins Europe representative office

translated by