International students
Start your financial and educational journey in Canada hassle-free.
Smart products for smart students
Student Banking Advantage® Plan
A worry-free account matched for student life
MomentumPLUS Savings Account
Reward yourself with a great everyday interest rate
Scene+TM Student banking bundle
Earn up to $715 in value** when you bundle your banking
International Account
Apply for a Scotiabank International Account and transfer up to $50,000 CAD before moving to Canada.3
StartRightTM Program
Learn about all things Canadian to help you navigate student life4
Student GIC Program
From getting your permit approved to paying for living expenses, the Scotiabank Student GIC Program can help you plan for your education.
International Money Transfer
Send money abroad as easily as you would send it within Canada
Credit cards for Students
Start building your credit history and collect rewards while you’re enrolled in school
Personal Line of Credit for Students
Help finance your education or other day-to-day expenses while you’re in school
What do I need to open an account?
Once you arrive in Canada, you’ll need to book an appointment at a Scotia branch to set up your account.
Step 1
Two forms of identification, such as your passport, driver’s license, or permanent resident card
Step 2
Your Citizenship and Immigration Canada form (IMM 1000, IMM 1442, IMM 5688, IMM 5292)
Step 3
Proof of enrolment from your Canadian Educational Institution
Resources in your financial backpack
What you need to know to settle and succeed as an international student
Unsure what you need to study in Canada? Check out our guide on what you need to know.
Moving to Canada? Here’s how to prepare for financial success
Even if you have a wonderful credit score, Canada uses its own credit system.
Financial tips you need to know about after graduating from college or university
Now that you’ve graduated, don’t miss the chance to get your financial future off to a good start with these money tips.
Useful tools
Managing your money just got smarter
Scotia Smart Money by Advice+. A set of money management features in the Scotiabank mobile app that gives you personalized insights, advice, and more control over your money.
Learn where you are spending and saving
A great way to plan for your financial future is to understand where you are now. Use our calculator for a better picture of your finances and to help you budget for your goals.
Looking for a credit card that’s right for you?
Take the guesswork out of choosing a credit or debit card. Use our tool to pick the type of reward that you’re most interested in.
Student scholarships and contests
Scotia wants to fund your future
Between August and January, enter for your chance to win a $30,000 tuition prize.2
Colleges and Institutes Canada GIC Excellence scholarship
Between September and February, enter for your chance to win a tuition prize.*
*Select institutions only.
Internships and career opportunities
Check out our open roles for students and new grads, as well as internships and co-op placements.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question?
We're here to help!
Value of up to $435 in welcome bonuses and point value with the Scene+™ Student Banking Bundle includes $100 cash and up to 20,750 in bonus Scene+ points (valued at up to $207.50) as follows:
- $100 cash offer and 7,500 Scene+ points ($75 value) for new Student Banking Advantage® Plan customers
- 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value) for new Scotiabank® SceneTM Visa* Card customers
- 1,250 Scene+ points ($12.50 value) for new customers who combine the products above with a new MomentumPLUS Savings Account
- 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value) when you bundle all 3 of the above accounts and complete certain qualifying transactions
- $149.90 in savings with the Scotia iTRADE® perk for Student Banking Advantage Plan holders ($4.99 per trade and Trade 1 Get 1 Free at Scotia iTRADE®)
Conditions apply. Please see Scotiabank® Scene+TM Bundle for Students Offer.
Value of up to $715 in welcome bonuses and point value with the Scene+™ Student Banking Bundle includes $100 cash and up to 20,750 in bonus Scene+ points (valued at up to $207.50) as follows:
- $100 and 7,500 Scene+ points ($75 value) cash offer for new Student Banking Advantage® Plan customers
- 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value) for new Scotiabank® Scene+™ Visa* Card customers
- 1,250 Scene+ points ($12.50 value) for new customers who combine the products above with a new MomentumPLUS Savings Account
- 5,000 Scene+ points ($50 value) when you bundle all 3 of the above accounts and complete certain qualifying transactions
- $149.90 in savings with the Scotia iTRADE® perk for Student Banking Advantage Plan holders ($4.99 per trade and Trade 1 Get 1 Free at Scotia iTRADE®)
- $280 in average savings with unlimited no-fee international money transfers compared to in-branch Swift wire transfers (assumes an annual average of 7 in-branch Swift Wire Transfers at $40 per transfer)
Conditions apply. Please see Scotiabank® Scene+™ Bundle for Students Offer.
As of January 1, 2023, new and existing Student Banking Advantage Plan account holders who open a new Scotia iTRADE account for the first time qualify for both of the following benefits:
- Preferred $4.99 pricing on eligible commissionable trades (regularly $9.99). Note: it will take up to 10 business days from the date of opening a new Student Banking Advantage Plan or Scotia iTRADE account for the discounted $4.99 commission pricing to apply.
- Trade one get one free using the Scotia iTRADE Mobile App: Receive a rebate for the commissions incurred for every second eligible commissionable trade placed through the Scotia iTRADE Mobile App (up to a maximum of 20 in the first calendar year, and 10 in the second calendar year and thereafter while the Scotia iTRADE customer is a Student Banking Advantage Plan account holder). The rebate relating to options will be applied to base commissions only.
As of January 1, 2023, new and existing Student Banking Advantage Plan account holders who have an existing Scotia iTRADE account qualify for both of the following benefits:
- Preferred $4.99 pricing on eligible commissionable trades (regularly $9.99). Note: it will take up to 10 business days from the date of opening a new Student Banking Advantage Plan or Scotia iTRADE account for the discounted $4.99 commission pricing to apply.
- Trade one get one free using the Scotia iTRADE Mobile App: Receive a rebate for the commissions incurred for every second eligible commissionable trade placed through the Scotia iTRADE Mobile App (up to a maximum of 10 in the first calendar year and thereafter while the Scotia iTRADE customer is a Student Banking Advantage Plan account holder). The rebate relating to options will be applied to base commissions only. Trade one get one free rebates: The rebate will be applied to the account holder’s non-registered Scotia iTRADE account, or in its absence, their registered Scotia iTRADE account, in CAD currency (converted from USD to CAD for trades executed in USD, using the applicable foreign exchange rate) within the first 10 business days of the month following the month that the trades were executed.
Eligibility & Exclusions:
- Eligible commissionable trades include stocks, ETFs and options placed across all Student Banking Advantage Plan account holder(s)’ Scotia iTRADE accounts within the calendar year since the later of January 1, 2023 or the time when a client opens a Scotia iTRADE account.
- Corporate and non-personal Scotia iTRADE accounts are not eligible.
- The student (the primary account holder of the Student Banking Advantage Plan account) can be either the primary or joint account holder of the Scotia iTRADE account.
- Only the primary account holder of a Student Banking Advantage Plan account will be entitled to receive the preferred $4.99 pricing or get their commissions reimbursed for every second eligible commissionable trade, as applicable, into their Scotia iTRADE account.
- Both the Student Banking Advantage Plan account and Scotia iTRADE accounts must be in good standing on the last day of every month.
- The Scotia iTRADE account must not be in a disallowed debit position and must not have any outstanding margin calls due.
- No cash redemption value.
This offer can be combined with other Scotia iTRADE programs (excluding Preferred Package) and campaigns unless otherwise specified. Should free trade rebates be awarded for the other programs and campaigns, those free trades will be applied first until fully consumed before applying Student Banking Advantage Plan free trades rebate.
Scotia iTRADE ® (Order-Execution Only) is a division of Scotia Capital Inc. (“SCI”). SCI is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Scotia iTRADE does not provide investment advice or recommendations and investors are responsible for their own investment decisions.
Scotiabank cannot accept more than one wire payment per family and such payment cannot exceed CAD $50,000. You are responsible to ensure that your wire payment to Scotiabank in Canada, including the amount, is in compliance with the local laws of your country.
A Scotiabank International Account is a Scotiabank Investment Account opened from outside of Canada. More information about the Scotiabank Investment account can be found here.