Let’s get started
The award-winning Footnote 1 BMO NewStart® Program allows residents from qualifying countries to open a chequing account in minutes*62 and, if you’re an international student, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).
To qualify, you need to be:
At least 14 years old.- A resident of a .
- Coming to Canada within 12 months as a permanent resident, foreign worker or international student.
- Opening an account for yourself, not a friend or family member.
If you're a resident of China and don’t meet these requirements, please contact one of our BMO China offices for assistance.
Here’s what you can expect:
Submit your online application
We'll process your application within minutes*62. If we have everything we need, we'll send you your account details and wire transfer instructions. If we require additional documents first, we'll let you know by e-mail.
If you’re a student applying for a GIC and a chequing account, please select the “open student GIC & chequing account” option.
If you’re a student, foreign worker or permanent resident and only need a chequing account, please select the “open chequing account only” option.
Wire your funds
Wire up to $75,000 CAD Footnote double star for a bank account or from $23,050 CAD Footnote section (including $22,895 CAD Footnote section to set up the student GIC and $150 CAD to cover BMO program fees Footnote star, star, star, star ) to $75,000 CAD for a GIC.
If you're applying for a GIC, we’ll send you a GIC certificate.
Book an appointment
You can book an appointment when you get to Canada to activate your account and access your money.
To apply for a Student GIC and a chequing account, you’ll need:
- A valid passport
- A letter of admission from your school as a PDF or JPEG
To apply for a chequing account, you’ll need:
- A valid passport
- Your Canadian visa, or, if you’re an International Student planning to apply for a visa, a letter of admission from your school as a PDF or JPEG
Download the International Student GIC Program Guide:
Download the BMO NewStart® Program Everyday Bank Account Guide:
Footnote star details Your chequing account will be the Practical Plan with the monthly fee waived for the first 12 months. When you arrive in Canada and visit a BMO branch to activate your account, one of our representatives can help you choose the appropriate plan for your everyday banking needs.
Footnote star, star details If you’d like to make more than one wire payment and you are a resident of China, please apply through BMO China.
Footnote section details At present, the BMO International Student GIC program offers a GIC in the amount of $22,895 CAD, which reflects the financial requirements for study permit applicants who intend to study outside the province of Quebec. For details, please refer to the IRCC website.
Footnote 1 details BMO NewStart® Pre-Arrival account opening program won two global awards for Newcomer Digital Experience in 2023: BAI Global Innovation Award for embracing digital innovation to transform the customer experience, and Qorus-Accenture Banking Innovation Award as Gold winner in the Core Offering Innovation category; visit https://newsroom.bmo.com/2023-11-29-BMO-Wins-Two-Global-Awards-for-Newcomer-Digital-Experience for more details.
footnote *** Canadian visa is required for International Students from China unless the application is for a Student GIC.
Footnote **** details $150 CAD is comprised of a $134 CAD program fee and $16 CAD incoming wire fee. Third-party bank charges are the responsibility of the sender. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure that the transfer amount still satisfies the minimum remittance amount of $23,050 CAD after any third-party bank charges are applied.