Yes, you can open most bank accounts in Canada online, but the process depends on which bank you choose and what documents you have
The major Canadian banks—Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto-Dominion (TD), Bank of Montreal (BMO), Scotiabank, and CIBC—all offer online account opening for chequing and savings accounts. You can complete the entire process from your computer or phone without visiting a branch. However, not every account type is available online, and some banks require you to verify your identity in ways that take longer than others.
The speed and ease of opening an account online varies. Some people finish in 10 minutes. Others wait days for identity verification to clear. The difference usually comes down to whether the bank can when ready confirm who you are through its own systems or through a third-party verification service.
Key Takeaways
- All five major Canadian banks let you open a chequing or savings account online, but credit unions and smaller banks may require a branch visit or phone call.
- You will need a valid government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or provincial ID card) and proof of address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement from the last 90 days).
- If you are a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number, most banks can verify your identity when ready; if not, verification can take 1 to 5 business days.
- Some account features—like overdraft protection or high interest rates—may only be available through a branch or phone call, even if the basic account opens online.
What documents you need to open an account online
You will need to provide two pieces of information: proof of identity and proof of address. For identity, the banks accept a valid Canadian passport, driver's license, or provincial photo ID card. If you do not have one of these, you will need to call the bank or visit a branch.
For proof of address, you need a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and current address. A utility bill (hydro, gas, internet, or phone), lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax notice all work. A bank statement from another bank also works. If you have just moved and do not have a document yet, some banks will accept a signed statutory declaration from a witness who can confirm your address.
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, the process is slower. You will need a valid passport and a work permit or study permit. Some banks will open an account for you, but verification takes longer—usually 5 to 10 business days—because they cannot cross-reference your information against Canadian government databases the way they do for residents.
How identity verification works and why it matters for speed
When you submit your information online, the bank runs it through verification systems. If you have a Canadian Social Insurance Number and the bank recognizes your name and address from government records or its own customer database, verification happens when ready or within a few hours. You can start using your account the same day.
If the bank cannot when ready verify you—because you are new to Canada, your name does not match records exactly, or you do not have a Social Insurance Number—it will ask you to upload photos of your documents or complete a video call with a representative. This step adds 1 to 5 business days. During this time, your account is open but you cannot withdraw money or use your debit card until verification is complete.
Some banks use a third-party verification service called Equifax or TransUnion to cross-check your identity. These services can speed up the process if your information is already in their systems, but they can also slow it down if there are discrepancies between what you entered and what their records show.
Which banks let you open accounts fully online
The five major banks all support online account opening for basic chequing and savings accounts. RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, and CIBC each have their own online process, and the steps are similar across all of them: create a login, enter your personal information, upload or photograph your documents, and wait for verification.
Online-only banks like Tangerine, EQ Bank, and Simplii Financial also let you open accounts online and often have faster verification because they have no branches and expect all customers to bank digitally. These banks typically verify your identity within hours.
Credit unions vary by province. Some credit unions in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta let you open accounts online, but many still require a phone call or branch visit. If you are interested in a credit union, contact the one you want to join and ask whether online opening is available.
What happens after you open your account online
Once your identity is verified, you can log into your account and see your account number. You can set up direct deposits and bill payments right away. However, you cannot order a debit card online—the bank will mail it to you, which takes 5 to 10 business days. Some banks let you request a temporary digital card that works with Apple Pay or Google Pay while you wait for the physical card.
If you need to deposit cash or cheques, you will have to visit a branch or use an ATM (for cash only). Most banks let you deposit cheques by taking a photo through their mobile app, but this feature is not always available when ready after opening an account online.
Overdraft protection, credit products, and investment accounts usually cannot be set up during the online opening process. You can add these later by calling the bank or visiting a branch.
Common reasons online account opening gets delayed or rejected
The most common reason for delays is a mismatch between the name or address you entered and what appears in government or credit bureau records. If you recently moved, got married, or changed your name, tell the bank about it when you open the account. Upload a document that shows the change (marriage certificate, name change order, or lease with your new name).
If you entered your address in a way that does not match your ID—for example, "123 Main Street" on your ID but "123 Main St." in the online form—the system may flag it for manual review. This usually clears within a day, but it can feel like the process is stalled.
If you do not have a Canadian address, the bank may reject your process online and ask you to call or visit a branch instead. This is not a refusal to open an account; it just means you need to speak to a person who can handle non-resident applications.
Alternatives if you cannot open an account online
If the online process does not work for you—because you do not have the required documents, you are not a Canadian resident, or you want an account type that is not available online—you can call the bank's phone line or visit a branch. Phone appointments are usually faster than walk-in visits and let you open an account in 20 to 30 minutes.
If you do not have a government-issued photo ID, some banks will accept other forms of identification (passport card, travel document, or notarized affidavit) if you call ahead and ask. Do not assume the online form is your only option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it actually take to open an account online?
The online form itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. Identity verification takes anywhere from a few minutes to 5 business days, depending on whether the bank can when ready confirm who you are. Most people have a usable account within 24 hours, but you cannot use your debit card until it arrives by mail.
Do I need a Canadian address to open an account online?
Most banks require a Canadian address to open an account online. If you do not have one yet, call the bank and ask whether you can use a temporary address (like a hotel or friend's address) or whether you need to visit a branch. Some banks will work with you; others will not.
Can I use my account before my debit card arrives?
Yes. You can set up direct deposits and bill payments when ready after verification is complete. You can also use a temporary digital card with Apple Pay or Google Pay if your bank offers it. You cannot withdraw cash or use the card in stores until the physical card arrives.
What if the bank rejects my online process?
Call the bank and ask why. Common reasons are a mismatch in your name or address, missing documents, or an account type that is not available online. The bank can usually fix the issue over the phone or tell you what to do next.
Can I open a joint account online?
Most banks let you open a joint account online, but both account holders need to complete the process separately and verify their identity. Some banks require one person to open the account first and then add the second person later through a branch or phone call.