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Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming! But as you plan your move to Canada, we want to welcome you to this exciting time of your life. Wherever you are in your journey to Canada, we’re here to support your banking needs.
BMO and ApplyBoard are partnering to help you get started, settled and prepare for your future with the BMO NewStart® Pre-Arrival program.Invest in your future with our tailored study abroad loans.
Rohit Sharma
BMO Global Cricket Ambassador
Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming! But as you plan your move to Canada, we want to welcome you to this exciting time of your life. Wherever you are in your journey to Canada, we’re here to support your banking needs.
BMO and ApplyBoard are partnering to help you get started, settled and prepare for your future with the BMO NewStart® Pre-Arrival program.
Benefits of Choosing an award-winning bank
Apply for a bank account and a student GIC (if required) in one online application and get your account details in minutes*(62). Send up to $75,000 CAD, obtain proof of funds, and access the funds upon your arrival.
We're Canada’s first and oldest bank with more than 12 million customers counting on us to take care of their banking needs.
We have more than 850 branches and over 3,250 ATMs across Canada to serve you.
Do your banking easily with BMO Digital Banking and our award-winning app.
Upon arrival, get access to benefits like no monthly fee banking for the duration of your studies and up to one year after graduation (73).
With a commitment to excellence, we ensure every request is addressed promptly and effectively. Experience care that’s tailored just for you with our multi-lingual staff who make you feel at home here in Canada.
Increase Immigration Officials’ trust in your Proof of Financial Support document with ApplyProof’s verification technology.
Your security is our priority, and we will reimburse you for any eligible unauthorized transactions provided you have kept your account details secure, and you’ve met all other key responsibilities outlined in our Electronic Banking Services Agreement.
BMO gives you the ability to book an appointment even before arriving in Canada.
Apply for a bank account and a student GIC (if required) in one online application and get your account details in minutes*(62). Send up to $75,000 CAD, obtain proof of funds, and access the funds upon your arrival.
We're Canada’s first and oldest bank with more than 12 million customers counting on us to take care of their banking needs.
We have more than 850 branches and over 3,250 ATMs across Canada to serve you.
Do your banking easily with BMO Digital Banking and our award-winning app.
Upon arrival, get access to benefits like no monthly fee banking for the duration of your studies and up to one year after graduation (73).
With a commitment to excellence, we ensure every request is addressed promptly and effectively. Experience care that’s tailored just for you with our multi-lingual staff who make you feel at home here in Canada.
Increase Immigration Officials’ trust in your Proof of Financial Support document with ApplyProof’s verification technology.
Your security is our priority, and we will reimburse you for any eligible unauthorized transactions provided you have kept your account details secure, and you’ve met all other key responsibilities outlined in our Electronic Banking Services Agreement.
BMO gives you the ability to book an appointment even before arriving in Canada.
You can do this online. We’ve put together a guide that’ll help you with everything you need to know.
We’ll let you know if any additional documents are needed and help you register for secure email.
Wire transfer up to $75,000 CAD to your chequing account or a minimum of $20,785 CAD ** in your student GIC account (if required) and receive your balance confirmation or GIC certificate, respectively. Now you can make more than one payment to support your proof of funds.
Welcome to Canada! Come by a BMO branch and we’ll help you complete the process.
Unlock powerful, tailored support and skyrocket your institution’s impact. Become a Growth Partner to get 90%+ more qualified student applications, and issue 180%+ more final offers.
You can do this online. We’ve put together a guide that’ll help you with everything you need to know.
We’ll let you know if any additional documents are needed and help you register for secure email.
Wire transfer up to $75,000 CAD to your chequing account or a minimum of $20,785 CAD ** in your student GIC account (if required) and receive your balance confirmation or GIC certificate, respectively. Now you can make more than one payment to support your proof of funds.
Welcome to Canada! Come by a BMO branch and we’ll help you complete the process.
Open your chequing account and student GIC in minutes* (62).
Check our guide to Canadian banking basics
Check our guide to Canadian banking basics
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is the eighth-largest bank in North America by assets. We operate across Canada (not just in Montreal) and some parts of the United States. We provide personal and commercial banking, global markets, and investment banking services to 13 million customers across North America.
BMO SmartProgress™ can help grow your financial literacy knowledge with short financial education videos and tools. Learn more about topics like budgeting, credit management and investments.
If you’re looking to apply for a mortgage, buy a car, or lease an apartment your credit score may determine whether you’ll be approved or not. A credit score is a three-digit number that represents how creditworthy you are and is determined by a variety of factors. In Canada, credit scores range from 300 to 900, with scores above 735 considered very good and above 760 is excellent. Maintaining a good credit history means you’ll have a good credit score.
The BMO Newcomer Talent Program can help you find open roles at BMO and grow your professional career in Canada.
A chequing account is a bank account that’s used for day-to-day transactions in Canada. In India, this is known as a current account or checking account.
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a secure investment that protects your principal. In India, it’s known as a fixed deposit. A GIC can be used as proof of financial support to facilitate a study permit application.
At BMO, you can open a bank account in Canada from India online through our online application portal. Permanent residents, foreign workers and international students from India can open a BMO chequing account online within minutes and send up to $75,000 CAD before arrival.
If you have not yet arrived in Canada and you are applying to open a BMO account, there is no minimum amount of money required for you to open a pre-arrival account. However, you have the option of transferring up to $75,000 CAD into your BMO pre-arrival account to help you get started in Canada. When you get to Canada, just visit a BMO branch to activate your account.
If you are also opening a student Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), you will need to transfer a minimum amount of $20,785 CAD1 into your new bank account. This will cover the cost of the GIC plus all applicable BMO fees. Learn more about international student GICs. Permanent residents, foreign workers and international students from India can open a BMO chequing account online within minutes and send up to $75,000 CAD before arrival.
The BMO NewStart® Program offers banking products and services for permanent residents and foreign workers for their first five years in Canada. This program is designed to help make setting up your new life in Canada a little easier. Learn how the BMO NewStart® Program can help you.
Ready to get started? Reach out to us!
Please visit our website to learn about the most recent offers and product details. Alternately, you can reach us at 1-514-877-7738 or enquiry.new
start@bmo.com
• A valid passport
• A letter of admission from your Canadian school, if you’re a student
• A valid visa, if you’re a PR or a foreign worker
Simple and quick online application for opening chequing account and student GIC.
Please visit our website to learn about the most recent offers and product details. Alternately, you can reach us at 1-514-877-7738 or enquiry.newstart@bmo.com
• A valid passport
• A letter of admission from your Canadian school, if you’re a student
• A valid visa, if you’re a PR or a foreign worker
Simple and quick online application for opening chequing account and student GIC.
BMO is a leading North American bank driven by a single purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Our Purpose informs our strategy, drives our ambition, and reinforces our commitments to progress: for a thriving economy, a sustainable future and an inclusive society.
We are the oldest bank in Canada operating since 1817 and the 8th largest bank in North America by assets, we provide personal and commercial banking, global markets and investment banking services.
62 See BMO terms and conditions
73 See BMO terms and conditions
** At present, the BMO International Student GIC program offers a GIC in the amount of $20,635, which reflects the financial requirements for study permit applicants who intent to study outside the province of Quebec. For details, please refer to the IRCC website.
103 See BMO terms and conditions
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