You don’t need a six-figure salary to qualify for a useful credit card in Canada.
While some premium Visa Infinite and World Elite cards have relatively high income requirements, Canadians earning under $60,000 per year still have access to credit cards offering cash back, rewards, no annual fees and other useful benefits.
The important thing is choosing a card that fits your income and spending habits rather than paying for premium benefits you may rarely use.
This guide looks at some of the best credit cards in Canada for people earning less than $60,000, including options for workers, newcomers, students and people who simply want a good no-fee everyday credit card.
Important: Credit card rates, rewards, eligibility requirements and promotional offers can change. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on the card issuer’s lending criteria. Always verify current terms directly with the financial institution before applying.
Quick Comparison
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Published Income Requirement | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | $0 | $12,000 personal | Flexible cash back |
| Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa | $0 | $15,000 household | Restaurants and everyday spending |
| CIBC Dividend Visa | $0 | $15,000 household | Groceries and simple cash back |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa | $0 | Check eligibility | Scene+ rewards |
| Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa | $0 | Check eligibility | No-fee cash back |
| CIBC Dividend Visa for Students | $0 | No minimum income | Students |
Information checked in August 2026. Always confirm current eligibility before applying.
1. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is one of the more interesting choices for Canadians with moderate incomes because its published minimum personal income is only $12,000.
It also has no annual fee.
Cardholders can earn 2% cash back in selected spending categories and 0.5% on other eligible purchases. Tangerine allows 2% cash back in two categories, with the possibility of a third category when rewards are deposited into an eligible Tangerine Savings Account.
Possible categories can include common expenses such as groceries, restaurants, gas, recurring bills and other everyday purchases.
That flexibility makes the card particularly useful if most of your monthly spending is concentrated in a few categories.
Why it stands out
The combination of a relatively accessible income requirement, no annual fee and customizable cash-back categories makes it suitable for people who want rewards without paying for a premium credit card.
Tangerine currently lists the regular Money-Back Credit Card with a $12,000 minimum personal income, $0 annual fee and a 20.95% purchase interest rate.
Best for:
People who want to customize where they earn higher cash back.
2. Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card
Another strong option is the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card.
The card currently has:
Annual fee: $0
Minimum household income: $15,000
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%
Cash interest rate: 22.99%
Simplii says applicants must also be Canadian residents outside Quebec, have reached the age of majority in their province or territory and meet its other eligibility requirements.
The absence of an annual fee is particularly attractive for someone earning $30,000, $40,000 or $50,000 annually because you don’t need to spend enough each year simply to recover the cost of holding the card.
Why it stands out
This card can be especially interesting for people whose spending includes restaurants, coffee shops and other everyday categories covered by its cash-back program.
Best for:
People looking for a straightforward no-annual-fee cash-back card with an accessible household-income requirement.
3. CIBC Dividend Visa Card
The CIBC Dividend Visa Card is another option worth considering for Canadians earning under $60,000.
Its published minimum is only $15,000 in annual household income, and there is no annual fee.
The card currently offers:
- 2% cash back on eligible groceries
- 1% on eligible gas and EV charging
- 1% on eligible transportation
- 1% on eligible dining
- 1% on eligible recurring payments
- 0.5% on other eligible purchases
CIBC also advertises savings of up to 10 cents per litre at participating gas stations when the card is connected with Journie Rewards, subject to the program’s conditions.
Why it stands out
Groceries are a major expense for many Canadian households. Getting an enhanced cash-back rate on grocery purchases without paying an annual card fee can therefore be useful.
The $15,000 household-income requirement also makes the card considerably more accessible than premium cards requiring $60,000 or $80,000 in individual income.
Best for:
People who spend regularly on groceries and want a simple cash-back card.
4. Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card
If you prefer rewards rather than direct cash back, consider the Scotiabank Scene+ Visa Card.
The card has no annual fee and earns Scene+ points.
Cardholders can currently earn enhanced Scene+ rewards at participating grocery brands and Home Hardware, with regular Scene+ points available on other eligible purchases.
Scene+ points can be particularly useful for Canadians who already participate in the Scene+ ecosystem.
The card currently has:
Annual fee: $0
Minimum credit limit: $500
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99%
Why it stands out
There is no annual fee eating into the value of your rewards.
It can also provide a relatively simple introduction to rewards cards for someone who doesn’t need the extensive travel benefits associated with expensive premium cards.
Best for:
People who regularly shop with participating Scene+ partners and prefer points over cash back.
5. Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card
For shoppers who prefer cash back, the Scotia Momentum No-Fee Visa Card is another option to investigate.
As the name suggests, its annual fee is $0.
Scotiabank currently lists a regular purchase interest rate of 20.99% and cash advance rate of 22.99%. Promotional offers may also be available, although these can change.
The major attraction here is simplicity.
You can earn cash back without needing to justify a $100+ annual fee.
Best for:
People who want a basic cash-back credit card from a major Canadian bank without an annual fee.
6. CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students
Students are in a unique situation because many have limited or irregular employment income.
The CIBC Dividend Visa Card for Students addresses this by currently listing no minimum income requirement for eligible students.
It also has a $0 annual fee.
CIBC says eligible Canadian students may receive credit limits of up to $5,000, while eligible international students may receive limits of up to $2,000, subject to approval and applicable conditions.
This can make the card useful for students beginning to establish a Canadian credit history.
Best for:
Eligible Canadian and international students who want a no-fee credit card and don’t have a large employment income.
What About Someone Earning $50,000–$59,999?
This is an interesting income range because additional cards may become available.
For example, Tangerine currently lists its Money-Back World Mastercard with a minimum requirement of $50,000 personal income, $80,000 household income, or qualifying assets under management.
That means someone earning $52,000 or $58,000 could potentially have options unavailable to someone earning $30,000.
However, don’t automatically assume a higher-tier card is better.
Compare:
- annual fees
- cash-back rates
- reward categories
- insurance
- interest rates
- foreign transaction fees
- income requirements
- spending requirements
- welcome offers
The best card is the one that provides value based on how you actually spend money.
Can You Get a Credit Card in Canada With a Low Income?
Yes.
There isn’t one universal salary you must earn before you can have a credit card in Canada.
Individual issuers establish their own eligibility and credit-approval requirements.
As the cards above demonstrate, some products publish relatively modest income requirements, while certain student cards may have no minimum income requirement.
However, satisfying an income requirement does not guarantee approval.
Financial institutions may consider several factors when evaluating an application.
Your credit history can be especially important. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends checking your credit report before applying and correcting errors that could negatively affect your application.
What If You’re New to Canada?
Newcomers sometimes arrive without an established Canadian credit history.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot obtain a credit card.
Some Canadian financial institutions have specific newcomer banking programs, while a secured credit card can be another possibility.
With a secured card, you provide a security deposit. Your credit limit will generally be related to that deposit.
The Government of Canada specifically notes that secured cards may be worth considering for newcomers without Canadian credit history and people trying to rebuild their credit.
The goal should be to establish a positive payment history rather than immediately chasing the highest possible credit limit.
Cash Back vs Rewards: Which Is Better on a $60,000 Salary?
Neither is automatically better.
It depends on your lifestyle.
Cash back
Cash-back cards are generally straightforward.
Spend money on eligible purchases and receive a percentage back according to the card’s terms.
If you spend heavily on:
- groceries
- gas
- transportation
- restaurants
- recurring bills
a card offering enhanced cash back in those categories may make sense.
Rewards points
Rewards cards can be better when you regularly use the program’s partners or can redeem points efficiently.
For example, someone already shopping at participating Scene+ grocery stores may find a Scene+ card attractive.
Someone who doesn’t use those businesses may get more practical value from cash back.
Should You Choose a Credit Card With No Annual Fee?
For many Canadians earning under $60,000, no-fee cards are an excellent place to start.
Suppose Card A costs $120 per year and Card B costs nothing.
Card A needs to provide at least $120 in additional value every year before you’re even ahead of the free alternative.
That doesn’t make annual-fee cards bad. Premium cards can provide valuable insurance, travel rewards, airport benefits and higher earning rates.
But you need to actually use those benefits.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends comparing the estimated value of rewards and benefits against the annual fee. It also notes that some no-fee cards provide benefits similar to cards charging annual fees.
The Biggest Credit Card Mistake to Avoid
Don’t choose a credit card based entirely on rewards.
A card offering 2%, 3% or even 5% back doesn’t help much if you’re paying around 20% or more in interest because you’re carrying a balance.
For example, imagine spending $1,000 and earning $20 in rewards.
If that purchase remains unpaid and accumulates substantial interest, the interest can quickly exceed the reward you earned.
The Government of Canada advises consumers who use credit cards for day-to-day transactions to pay the balance in full by the due date when possible.
If you regularly carry a balance, a lower-interest credit card may potentially save you more money than a rewards card.
Avoid Using Credit Cards for Cash Advances
Cash advances are another expensive trap.
Unlike regular purchases, there is generally no interest-free grace period on cash advances.
Interest starts accumulating from the transaction date, and the cash-advance rate may be higher than the regular purchase rate. Additional fees may also apply.
If you’re experiencing a temporary cash shortage, compare alternative borrowing options before automatically taking a cash advance.
How to Choose the Right Credit Card
Before applying, ask yourself five questions.
1. How much do I earn?
Check the card’s minimum personal or household income requirement.
Don’t inflate your income on an application.
2. Where do I spend the most?
Look through your last few months of spending.
If most of your money goes toward groceries, prioritize grocery rewards.
If restaurants are a major expense, consider dining rewards.
If your spending is spread across many categories, a flat-rate rewards card may be easier.
3. Will I pay my balance in full?
This is extremely important.
If you’re likely to carry debt month to month, prioritize a lower interest rate rather than maximizing rewards.
4. Is the annual fee worth it?
Calculate the realistic value you’ll receive from the card.
A $120 annual fee isn’t worth paying for $80 worth of rewards.
5. Does the card match my credit profile?
Income isn’t the only consideration.
Credit history, existing debts and the issuer’s underwriting criteria may affect approval.
How to Use Your Credit Card Responsibly
Getting approved is only the beginning.
Good credit-card habits are more important than having a premium card.
Try to:
- Pay your statement balance in full whenever possible.
- Always make at least the required minimum payment by the due date.
- Avoid spending money simply to earn rewards.
- Keep track of recurring subscriptions.
- Review statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Avoid unnecessary cash advances.
- Don’t apply for numerous cards just because welcome bonuses look attractive.
- Understand your interest rate and fees.
Paying only the minimum can dramatically increase the amount of time and interest required to eliminate your debt.
Best Cards by Type
Best overall for flexible cash back:
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Best for a low household-income requirement:
Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa or CIBC Dividend Visa
Best for groceries:
CIBC Dividend Visa
Best for Scene+ users:
Scotiabank Scene+ Visa
Best for students:
CIBC Dividend Visa for Students
Best for someone earning $50,000–$59,999 who wants additional benefits:
Consider comparing the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard with the standard Tangerine Money-Back card.
Remember that these are categories for comparison—not guarantees that a particular card will be the best or that an applicant will qualify.
Final Thoughts
Earning less than $60,000 in Canada doesn’t mean you have to settle for a poor credit card.
There are several cards with no annual fees, cash-back rewards and relatively accessible income requirements.
For many people, the best strategy is surprisingly simple: choose a no-fee card that rewards purchases you already make, pay the statement balance in full and avoid spending more simply because credit is available.
Someone earning $40,000 who pays their balance every month can use a credit card much more effectively than someone earning $100,000 who constantly carries expensive credit-card debt.
Before applying, compare current rates, fees, income requirements and benefits directly with the issuer. The Government of Canada’s Financial Consumer Agency also provides a credit-card comparison tool that allows Canadians to compare hundreds of cards based on interest rates, annual fees and rewards.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Credit-card products, rates, promotions and eligibility requirements may change. Always review the issuer’s current terms and conditions before applying.