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Best Instant Approval Credit Cards

Best instant approval credit cards in Canada

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Author: Cameron Smonk

By Cameron Smonk

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Updated: May 07, 2024

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We’re not a society used to waiting. “High-speed” internet, “fast” food, “rapid” transit… “instant” approval. We want things not just soon but instantly. And while that might be impossible for most products, with easy-to-get credit cards, there’s often a way to get what you want immediately.

And what’s even better than instant approval is instant access. Certain banks and products are moving towards setting customers who’ve been instantly approved with their credit card details right away, allowing them to connect with Apple Pay (or, less commonly, Google Wallet) to start spending ASAP. Problem is, we’re at the bleeding edge of this sort of thing in Canada, so there are only a handful of products (under specific conditions) that offer this kind of perk yet.

Here, I’m focusing on several cards that you can get instant approval for and highlighting their strengths (and any shortcomings you need to be aware of).

7 easy-to-get credit cards in Canada with instant approval in 60 seconds or less

Card name Key features How to apply
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege ◦ As with all RBC cards, pair a digital card with Apple Pay to start spending right away upon instant approval
◦ High-tier Avion welcome bonus
◦ Decent earning opportunities
Apply now
RBC Avion Visa Infinite ◦ Pair a digital card with Apple Pay to start spending right away upon instant approval
◦ 1 Avion point per $1 spent
◦ Extensive Insurance coverage
Apply now
American Express Cobalt ◦ Big points for money spent on groceries, restaurants and food delivery
◦ No income requirements
◦ Amex points are high-value and flexible
Apply now
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card ◦ No annual fee
◦ Flexible money back category customization
◦ Cash back paid monthly
Apply now
Neo Credit ◦ Immediate access to a digital card that can be used with Google Wallet/Apple Pay upon instant approval
◦ No annual fee
Apply now
American Express SimplyCash ◦ Earn statement credits amounting to $400 in your first 10 months with this card
◦ 2% cash back on all purchases – except for groceries and gas at 4%
Apply now
KOHO Mastercard ◦ No credit score required
◦ Cashback rewards
◦ Lower FX fees
Apply now

Factors to consider when choosing the best instant approval credit card

Interest rates and fees: While you feel the need for speed, it's always a good idea to look before you leap. Consider the annual fee you'll need to spend and the interest rate you'll need to pay on your outstanding balance.

Rewards and cash back programs: And don't forget the perks! Many instant approval cards offer great points and cash back rewards to tempt you not only immediately but also down the road.

Credit limit and spending flexibility: The credit limit might be fundamental if you want instant approval for a big purchase. Ensure your card has the capacity you need and—especially if it's an Amex—it's accepted where you need it to be.

Additional features and benefits: Many instant approval cards allow you to start spending right away, which is a huge benefit. But this isn't universal and sometimes only works with Apple Pay (sorry, Android users). Ensure you have a clear view of the benefits associated with your card of choice.

Best instant approval credit cards for excellent credit (score better than 760)

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

Apply now

4.2

35,000 pts

Very Good

about new welcome offers by email

Apply now

Avion points for every $1 you spend

1.25

savings at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points

3¢/L

Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall

50

savings at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points

20%

delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash

$0

Purchase APR

20.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$399

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.50%

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Pros

  • Competitive welcome bonus, earned on approval

  • Great insurance coverage

  • 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on eligible purchases

  • Plenty of of bonus perks like lounge access and ski pass

Cons

  • Intimidating, unskippable annual fee

  • High-income barrier, with a very good credit score needed

I’m dropping the RBC Visa Infinite Privilege in this slot (as opposed to, say, an Amex Platinum, which, of course, also offers instant approval) for one main reason – RBC offers instant use of its cards with Apple Pay before your physical card arrives, really one of the top possible perks of instant approval.

Despite its high fee ($399), it offers a great welcome bonus, plenty of perks and fantastic travel insurance. You’ll need a credit score of over 760 and a household income of over $200k.

To get it, apply online through RBC’s site and stand by for auto approval and instant use if you meet all the metrics.

Best instant approval credit cards for very good credit (score range of 725-759)

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

Apply now

3.2

35,000 pts

Very Good

about new welcome offers by email

Apply now

Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.

1

extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases

25%

mobile device insurance

$1,500

savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points

3¢/L

Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall

50

off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points

20%

delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash

$0

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$120

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Pros

  • Rewards program is highly flexible, transferable, and includes a slew of non-travel-related reward options

  • Partnerships with other retailers like HBC and Petro-Canada

  • Provides excellent travel insurance

  • New cardholders earn 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval*

  • Solid option for looking for a travel-centric points program

Cons

  • The points-to-dollars ratio is only average and there are few opportunities for accelerated earning.

  • The $120 annual fee isn’t cheap

  • High annual income requirement: Personal: $60,000 or Household: $100,000

Okay, so technically, you don't need a very good credit score for the RBC Visa Infinite Avion (as they state the range to be 660-724), but in my experience, this one can be a bit tougher to get auto-approved for. I even had to visit a branch once to validate my identity. Yuck. I think a better approach with a better score would improve your instant approval odds.

That said, it's a rock-solid card otherwise. A decent welcome bonus, great insurance, and flexible ways to spend your points make this a card worth considering. Plus, like the RBC Infinite Privilege (and all RBC cards), you can hook it up immediately to your Apple Pay and start spending on it immediately, a huge bonus.

Best instant approval credit cards for good credit (score range of 660-724)

American Express Cobalt® Card

Apply now

5

15,000 pts

Fair

Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points

Apply now

Earn 5 times he points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.

5x

Earn 3 times the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.

3x

Get 2 times the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.

2x

Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online

1x

Earn 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else

1x

Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel.

$100 USD

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$155.88

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.50%

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)

  • Flexible month-by-month fee structure

  • Free supplementary cards

  • 1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs

Cons

  • Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)

  • Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard

  • Slightly higher than average annual fee

This is the go-to gem for foodies and travel enthusiasts alike. The Amex Cobalt racks up a whopping 5 points per dollar on eats and drinks, including your morning coffee or dining out with friends. Groceries? You're covered there too with the same stellar rate. 

Everything else nets you two points per dollar. And here’s the kicker: with a flexible monthly fee instead of a yearly hit, it feels lighter on your wallet.

As for perks, think along the lines of top-tier travel insurance, exclusive event access, and bonus points galore when you meet spending milestones. 

SimplyCash® Card from American Express

Apply now

3.5

up to $100

Good

Earn up to $100 in Statement Credits in your first 10 months as a new cardmember

Apply now

Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)

2%

Earn 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases—the only stuff that won’t get cash back are non-purchases, like cash advances, balance transfers, etc.

1.25%

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.50%

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Pros

  • No annual fee for primary or additional cardholders

  • Big welcome bonus

  • Solid regular cash back rate on all eligible purchases - up to 2% cash back on all eligible purchases

  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn at the base rate

Cons

  • Cash back is only applied as a statement credit once a year

  • Amex cards aren’t accepted by every merchant

This is a dandy cashback card for those undaunted by a $120 annual fee. It features 2% cashback on everything except select gas and groceries, where you can earn up to 4% cashback. I mean, wow.

On top of that, you have access to all the usual Amex perks (like concierge, amazing travel protection, etc.) Keep in mind, you’ll need a credit score over 660 to apply for the SimplyCash. 

From my anecdotal experience, if you’re an existing Amex customer (and pass an internal identity check), they’ll send you your card info and a temporary pin, allowing you to purchase items online right away before your physical card arrives.

Tangerine World Mastercard®

Apply now

4.1

max 10% back

Fair

about new welcome offers by email

Apply now

Earn 2% cash back in two categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, restaurants, gas, entertainment, recurring bill payments and more)

2%

Get a Tangerine Savings account and get a 3rd 2% cash back category.

3

Purchase APR

19.95%

Balance Transfer Rate

1.95%

Cash Advance APR

19.95%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.50%

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Unlimited money-back rewards

  • High 2% earn rate

  • Exclusive experiences through MasterCard

Cons

  • High minimum income requirement

  • Travel insurance would be a welcome addition to the travel-related benefits

This is a rock-solid cashback card with no annual fee and decent travel perks that has maintained a place in my wallet since its inception. It features 2% cashback on three select categories (0.5% on everything else) with many travel perks. What’s not to like?

If you meet the 660+ credit score requirement (and oddly high $60,000 personal income), you’ll be eligible for instant approval for the Tangerine World. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, instant use isn’t available for this card.

Best instant approval credit cards for fair to good credit (score range of 560-659)

Neo Credit

Apply now

4.5

Good

about new welcome offers by email

Apply now

cashback on gas and groceries, no matter where you pay for them.

1%

On first-time purchases at participating partners with new offers added regularly.

Up to 15%

cashback on food delivery, streaming and rideshare, restaurants, bars, and cafes and retail partners

Up to 5%

Variable APR

19.99% - 29.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99% - 31.99%

Annual Fee

$0

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Part of the new wave of highfalutin' techie cards, Neo Credit is custom-built for folks looking to use it instantly after instant approval. Even with no annual fee, Neo allows you to pair a digital card with Apple Pay and Google Wallet (hurray, Android users!) immediately upon approval. It also has some sweet cashback perks with certain partners (that you’ll find in the app and that are always updated).

Applying for this card is a breeze, with a credit score requirement of around 600, a range that's within reach for most individuals.

Best instant approval credit cards that are also secured credit cards

Koho Mastercard

Apply now

3.9

Poor

about new welcome offers by email

Apply now

cash back on groceries and transportation

1%

interest earned on your account balance

3%

Purchase APR

0.00%

Cash Advance APR

0.00%

Annual Fee

$0

Recommended Credit Score

Poor

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • A no-fee account option

  • Earn up to 5% cash back on your purchases

  • Accepted worldwide, wherever Mastercard is accepted

  • Four account tiers, so there’s something for everyone

  • Earn interest on your account

  • RoundUps feature helps you save

  • Financial coaching is available

  • Features like Credit Building (to help you build your credit history) and Cover (to protect you from overdrawing your account)

  • Compatible with Apple Pay

  • Joint account option for families and couples

Cons

  • No physical branches or tellers

  • No RRSP, TFSA or RESP accounts

  • Customer service not on par with the big banks

  • Missing some banking features, like wire transfers, currency exchanges and multiple lines of business like financial planning, mortgages and insurance

Here’s one for folks looking to build credit for the first time (or recover it after a dip). The KOHO Essential is a prepaid credit card (effectively acting like a secured credit card) that requires no credit score to qualify for.

There’s no annual fee with the KOHO Essential, and it even has little perks like lower FX fees and (paid) add-ons like their credit builder program so you can move up to unsecured credit cards (or stay with their program which has paid tiers as you move up). Plus, KOHO gives you a digital card upon instant approval through its app, which you can pair with Apple Pay and Google Wallet for instant use.

The benefits of instant approval credit cards

When it comes to credit cards, faster is better, and instant is best. You can look forward to some perks with instant approval credit cards.

  • Quick and easy application process: In this case, the beauty of an algorithm means all your details are scanned automatically, allowing you to easily apply online with minimal data entry and a fast turnaround on whether or not you’ve been approved.
  • Immediate access to credit: Some cards immediately send you your credit card details. You can upload them to Apple Pay or Google Wallet and use your phone to start spending on them immediately, with no two-week wait for mail delivery.
  • Building or improving credit history: If you want to build or fix your credit score fast, applying for an instant approval credit card that doesn’t need a high credit score is a great way to hit the ground running.
  • Convenience and flexibility: There are many choices and a card that suits many different needs. Shop around and see which one (or many) is right for you.

Tips for getting instant approval

  • Review and improve credit history: Start by finding an easy-to-qualify for card, spend with it, pay it off and buff your credit score. Upgrade your card accordingly as it improves, but try to maintain your oldest one with a successful history.
  • Maintain a stable income: You will need an income to pay off your cards. Make sure to update your financial details with your bank as you grow in your career.
  • Pay off existing debts: My dad used to say, “Debt is an emergency,” so treat it like one. Before any savings can start, you must tackle your high-interest debt. Doing so will boost your credit score down the road.
  • Choose the right credit card for your needs: Do your research (you’re in the right spot!) Don’t get a card you can’t afford or doesn’t measurably improve your life and financial situation.

Pros and cons of easy approval credit cards

Let’s keep this brief: The pros of an instant approval card are that you have access to it sooner (sometimes instantly). 

There are no cons. I have a hard time imagining someone who prefers to wait for an identity check and weeks of waiting for the mail, but if you exist, please comment.

How do credit cards with instant approval work in Canada?

Instant approval cards work like any other card application, and can easily be done online. Here’s what you need to do:

How to apply for an instant approval credit card in Canada in 4 steps

  1. 1.

    Compare your options: Research and find the card that fits your needs and you can afford. We’ve done this work for ya!

  2. 2.

    Check the eligibility requirements: We’ve listed the credit score ranges, so make sure you fall within that range and don’t forget to match the income requirements which you can see in the card boxes. If you don’t see one listed, it’s because there is no income requirement (like on Amex credit cards).

  3. 3.

     Collect the necessary documents and information: Have all your info ready, you’re going to need to input a lot so they can feel comfortable you’re who you say you are.

  4. 4.

    Apply online: Just click the yellow button beside your card of choice and we’ll connect you to the application page. 

What to do if your instant approval credit card application is declined

The first type of 'declined' in instant approval, which is a delayed approval, is quite common. In this case, the credit card company wants to verify your identity and fact-check the information you've provided before making a decision.

This has happened to many, including myself, and it's a part of the process that can sometimes take a bit longer.

The second is the hard decline, meaning you need to meet the baseline credit score and/or income requirements for the card you applied for. If this happens, I'd recommend looking for cards that fit your metrics a bit better or working to improve your credit score before applying again.

Conclusion

Instant approval is just dandy. It makes the credit card process easier and quicker, and in some cases, you can start spending instantly. That is the next significant innovation coming down the pipe, and I am absolutely here for it.

Given that almost every card I can think of has instant approval, I’d start looking for ones that offer instant access, too. Right now, RBC seems to be leading the race in Canada, so I’d recommend checking out their Visa Infinite cards.

Credit cards in Canada with instant approval FAQs

  • Can I get a credit card with instant approval the same day?

    +

    Yes - some credit cards, like Neo and RBC cards, come with instant use. You can pair it with Apple Pay and start spending the day you’re approved. Amex sometimes sends you your details early to begin spending online.

  • Can I use my credit card immediately after activating it?

    +

    Yes, after successfully activating your card, you can start spending on it immediately, although sometimes you need to insert it for a PIN check before you can tap it.

  • Can you really get approved for a credit card in 60 seconds? How does this work?

    +

    Yes, many cards offer instant approval that can happen in as few as 60 seconds, using technology to verify the details you provide and expedite the process.

  • If my credit card application is declined should I apply for another card straight away?

    +

    It’s totally up to you. If you’re ok looking for a different card, right away is fine (if you maybe lower your expectations a bit). But you should probably wait at least three months before reapplying to the same card you were declined from.

Cameron Smonk Freelance Writer

Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.

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