On the advice of various people we planned to open a Canadian bank account whilst on our last recce trip. We went into what would be our local RBC bank and were served by 2 very nice helpful women. But despite their best efforts we ran into a problem. According to their documents, you can't open a bank account until you have certain documents, all of which you would only have if you'd already been successful in your visa application. This was their list:



List A
* Permanent Resident Card or Citizenship and Immigration Form IMM1000, IMM1442 or IMM5292
* Canadian or foreign passport
* Canadian or U.S. driver’s licence
* Canadian Social Insurance Number card
* Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization in the form of a paper document or card (but not a commemorative issue)
* Canadian or U.S. birth certificate
* Canadian Old Age Security card
* Provincial Health Insurance card for any province except Ontario, Manitoba or P.E.I.

List B
* Employee photo identity card
* Canadian credit card
* Canadian university or college photo student card
* Senior Citizen Privilege card
* Confirmation of identity by a client in good standing with RBC Financial Group or by an individual of good standing in the community where the bank is situated, in the opinion of RBC
* Introduction letter, with signature, from previous bank.

Because we didn't have any two of these (I didn't think I'd need any kind of letter from my UK bank?) we couldn't open an account, and they said these were rules which all banks would have because the government had got stricter on who could open an account.

Did anyone else have this problem? Is it just because we went to a branch in Kentville where they hadn't had this sort of request before, and should have gone to Halifax?

I don't see any way we can open a Canadian account now until we're actually landing, but I'd like the chance to exchange some money if the rate improves in the near future. Is there anything I can do from here in the next few days that would give me a $CAD account? And even better, is there any that I could take with us when we go - HSBC?

Thanks

We opened a TD bank account and started the ball rolling before we arrived and signed everything the day after we arrived and had no problems and can't remember showing any proof of residency or dh's TWP. We was also in the HSBC in the UK and opened a Canadian account before we left the UK and they shipped credit cards, debit cards and cheque books to us in the UK so had everything on had to had. We also transferred money between the UK and Canadian accounts with no problems

Try a different bank....

You need a Non resident account.
RBC do these ( thats how we started with them)

Ask to speak to the manager for non resident accounts.

As soon as you get your visa then you can convert it

I work for ATB Financial - a provincial bank in Alberta - I do know that we are very keen about ID due to anti money laundering.

HSBC definitely do them as I my friend did one I think

I opened an RBC savings account when here as a visitor. The only ID they asked for was my passport and then happily took my money. Been with them ever since and not had any significant problems.

HSBC were the most difficult bank I have ever had to deal with. We had an account in the UK and in Canada and they could not communicate between themselves, despite claiming to be the worlds local bank! Also use a credit union and they are OK, but the line ups in branch are appalling.

Think there has been a huge tightening of belts with anti money laundering and that could be a problem nowadays.

We opened our ATB account 4 years ago while we were still in the uk but things could have changed now

Hi there,
We used HIFX to transfer our money and they helped us open up an RBC account before landing. The senior account manager of immigration from RBC is who contacted us. This is his email: <snip>

He sent us the list of everything we needed. When visiting Canada we went into an RBC branch with our ID to verify who we said we are (you can also get this done at a Canadian Embassy or a lawyer can do it). Here is the list of what we had that we needed, hope it helps!:




The following are the essential requirements for opening a non-resident account, which each account applicant must complete:



Complete “Non-Resident Application” form (#10814), and sign second page.

The following items must be certified true by the Canadian Embassy or Consulate, a Royal Bank unit or lawyer (see below for additional information about using a lawyer):
Signature Card, with name and original signature;
Copies of international passport (pages that contain personal information, photo and signature);
Copies of one additional piece of identification (with English or French translation if necessary), i.e.: driver’s license, credit card, birth certificate, etc.
A copy of some correspondence received from the Canadian Embassy which states your immigration file number and the city where the file is being processed from. Any joint account request can only be with another person who is immigrating under the same file number.
‘Verification of Identity’ form (included) must be completed by individual who is certifying your documents.

A signed cover letter from you advising type of account/s required and any other relevant information that might assist the bank in ascertaining your banking needs. If no letter is included or no account is specified, an ‘RBC Day to Day Saving’ account will be opened (in Canadian funds). (please see page 4 for additional requirements for any US account requests.)

Bank reference letter from your bank. (Stating banking history) – Although this is not necessary to open the account, it does assist in future applications for any credit you may wish to apply for once you are a landed resident. Also, by allowing us to update your finances, it helps us assessing your future financial needs.

I'm sure RBC steve is going to be happy with all the spam he now gets. Unless his email address is on the internet already you shouldn't publish it (it would really piss me off if somebody did this to me).

I opened up a savings account as a non resident with HSBC at a British Columbia branch last year. It couldn't have been simpler. All I needed to provide was two forms of ID as I remember? I certainly didn't have to provide my shoe size, colour of underwear on alternate Tuesdays or any questions of that ilk. There's often been a myth that you have to have a S.I.N. to open up a bank account in Canada. The lady who sorted my account confirmed that is not the case.

The tariff of bank charges came as a shock though.

Hi

We opened an account with HSBC in Saint John whilst on a recce in February. We went in late one Tuesday afternoon, without an appointment and no credit history in Canada. We had an account setup that day and by Thursday evening they'd agreed to lend us a small mortgage!! (about 30% of property value)

HSBC Saint John have been fantastic with us. They've given us a good rate, flexible terms and worked around any problems when most banks would default to "our system says NO"!