Open an Account Online in Canada

Open an account online in Canada

Our welcome offer for newcomers is designed for you to help you settle into your new life in Canada.

Open an account from abroad

Fill out the form

Do you have any questions?

Write us

Already in Canada?

Once you've arrived, make an appointment with our team to benefit from our support and the services we offer.

Montreal area: 514-875-4266, options 9, 1

Elsewhere in Canada: 1-877-875-1118, options 9, 1

Our welcome offer for newcomers

This offer is for you if you meet the following 3 criteria:

  • You're 18 or older.
  • You're not yet a Desjardins member or have been a member for less than a year.

  • You're a permanent resident who has been living in Canada for 3 years or less.

    OR

    You're a temporary worker with a work permit that extends beyond 8 months.

Everyday account

Everyday account with a free transaction plan and unlimited transactions for 2 years after your account is opened.

Credit card

A credit card, potentially with no annual fee, even if you have no credit history.

Legal assistance

Free legal assistance for 2 years after your account is opened. This confidential phone service provides unlimited access to lawyers and notaries for reliable information about your rights and obligations.

More products and services

  • Visitors to Canada Insurance – Healthcare and emergency services in case of accident or illness
  • Potential recognition of your previous driving experience in your country of origin when getting an auto insurance quote
  • International money transfers online of up to $5,000 per day

More advantages

  • Insurance products for your protection, including home and auto insurance, life, health and disability insurance, as well as credit and travel insurance.
  • Effective support to help you prepare for your move and settle in once you arrive, such as useful tips and products and services designed for you

Do you have any questions?

Moving to a new country comes with a load of questions. Our multilingual team is here to help you.

Write us

Application to open an account from abroad

Before filling out the form, you must:

  • Have a valid passport
  • Be planning to arrive within 12 months of applying
  • Know your future address or the postal code of your employer in Canada

Open your account in 3 steps

  1. 1 Fill out the online form.

    Fill out the form

  2. 2 Read through the welcome email that you'll receive within 24 to 48 hours following confirmation. It outlines what to do next and includes your account information. You’ll need this information if you want to make a transfer before you leave.
  3. 3 Make an appointment 2 weeks before you leave to finish setting up your account once you arrive in Canada. Bring the required documents to your appointment to confirm your identity and pick up your debit card.

The Desjardins difference

Our cooperative nature sets us apart from other financial institutions. We're defined by our values: money should be at the service of human development, personal commitment, democratic action, integrity and rigour, and intercooperation.

See why you should choose Desjardins

To help you with your departure

We have agreements with financial institutions abroad to make your transition to Desjardins even smoother.

See our agreements with international partners

Frequently asked questions

What will the fees be once the welcome offer for newcomers expires after 2 years?

  • Plan: The Unlimited plan costs $13.95 per month once the offer expires (2 years after you open your account). You can keep the plan or choose another. We waive the monthly fees if you maintain the required minimum monthly balance ($4,000 for the Unlimited plan).
    Learn more about our plans
  • Credit card: No impact on credit cards.
  • Legal assistance: You no longer have access to free legal assistance once the welcome offer expires.

Can I make an international money transfer to my Desjardins account before I arrive in Canada?

Yes. Once you've completed your application to open an account, you can make only 1 international money transfer to your Desjardins account from abroad. You can do this through your financial institution in your home country as soon as you receive your new account information by email.

How much does it cost to make an international money transfer from my home country to my Desjardins account?

Ask the financial institution in your home country about exchange rates and what it costs to send funds. Here's what it costs you to receive money transfers in your Desjardins account.

Fees for receiving international money transfers:

  • Transfers under CAN$50: free
  • Transfers over CAN$50: CAN$15
  1. This offer is available upon request and is subject to change without notice at any time. Other terms and conditions may apply. Contact an advisor to confirm your eligibility for this offer.
  2. The fee waiver only applies to the Unlimited plan for a single member folio (individual or joint account).
  3. Credit cards are issued and credit limits are set based on the applicant's credit risk. Contact an advisor to confirm your eligibility for this offer. Some restrictions apply.
  4. Depending on the card chosen, you have 21 or 25 days from the date the monthly statement is issued to pay the full balance on your account without interest (except on cash advances). The minimum payment due is 5% of the total statement balance. This includes the balance shown on your account statement for the previous period, any interest or monthly instalments that were not paid on the due date for that period, purchases made during that period, and any cash advances from the current statement period, plus the interest charged on those cash advances. This amount will also include any other amounts due under your credit card contract. Here are some examples of applicable interest charges for a standard 30-day billing cycle: If the regular annual interest rate is 19.9% and your average daily outstanding balance is $100, you'll be charged $1.64 in interest. If it's $500, you'll be charged $8.18 in interest, and if it's $1,000, you'll be charged $16.36 in interest. If the regular annual interest rate is 10.9%, and your average daily outstanding balance is $100, you'll be charged $0.90 in interest. If it's $500, you'll be charged $4.48 in interest, and if it's $1,000, you'll be charged $8.96 in interest.
  5. Certain conditions and restrictions apply. For more information, call 514-875-4137 - This link will launch your default phone software. or 1-877-435-6098 - This link will launch your default phone software. and mention that you have the Welcome Offer for Newcomers to Canada.
  6. To be eligible for Visitors to Canada Insurance, you must be between 15 days and 84 years old and fall into 1 of the following categories: Canadians not covered by a provincial health plan, newcomers waiting to be covered by a provincial health insurance plan, foreign workers with a work visa, international students with a student visa, visitors to Canada. Excludes Working Holiday permit holders. For more information see the Visitors to Canada Insurance page.
  7. Applicable to principal drivers. In Quebec only. Contact one of our damage insurance agents or advisors to verify your eligibility. Certain restrictions, exclusions and limitations may apply. Damage insurance products are underwritten and distributed by Desjardins General Insurance Inc., provider of auto, home and business insurance.
  8. Certain restrictions, exclusions and limitations may apply.
  9. Account openings and money transfers from certain countries may be subject to strict regulations under Canadian and international economic sanctions.
  10. Applicable fees are calculated on the transferred amount received, or, as the case may be, on the amount of Canadian currency resulting from the conversion of foreign currency. The conversion rate corresponds to market rates in effect at the time funds are received. Some correspondent banks may impose fees or additional charges, which will be deducted from the amount transferred.