What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Credit Card?

In general, a credit score of at least 660 gives you the best chance of approval, but it's hard to know the exact score an issuer will require when you apply for a credit card.

Generally speaking, Canadian credit card companies prefer a credit score of 660 or above, but exact scores vary by card type and applicant; plus, issuers rarely make credit requirements public.

Just because you have a lower than average credit score, doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a credit card. However, the better your score, the better chance you have of being approved for top tier cards with perks.

It’s easy enough to check your credit score. Simply reach out directly to one of Canada’s two major credit bureaus, Equifax or TransUnion.

Credit score ranges in Canada

Equifax and TransUnion assign credit scores using the same point range: 300 to 900. Scores are sorted into five subcategories ranging from ‘poor’ to ‘excellent.’

Here’s how Equifax Canada categorizes different credit scores:

Excellent credit: 760-900.
Very good credit: 725-759.
Good credit: 660-724.
Fair credit: 600-659.
Poor credit: 300-599.

TransUnion Canada does not publish a breakdown of their current credit ranges and characterizations.

300 to 599: Credit cards for people with no credit or a poor credit score

If you have a limited credit history, no credit history or a poor credit score, you’ll typically qualify for significantly fewer credit cards than consumers with higher scores. The available cards likely won’t earn you many rewards, and they may charge more fees. The good news, however, is that you may qualify for some of the best secured credit cards. Secured cards are typically easier to get because they don’t require a credit check. Instead, you guarantee payment by providing a deposit. Plus, many secured card issuers report your payments to the credit bureaus, which can help build your credit score over time. Secured cards like the Secured Neo Mastercard card offers high credit limits with no annual fees.

600 to 659: Credit cards for people with a fair credit score

With fair credit, your credit card options are a little limited.

A score below 660 tells credit card issuers that you may have had some difficulty paying off your debts in the past. This can make it harder to qualify for cards that offer premium rewards, generous welcome bonuses or exclusive perks.

But you’ll still be able to apply for some top-tier credit cards. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card ($120 annual fee) and the WestJet RBC Mastercard ($39 annual fee) consider applicants with fair credit scores, according to data collected by NerdWallet.

660 to 724: Credit cards for people with a good credit score

If your credit score lands in the 660-to-724 range, you have a solid chance of successfully applying for many types of credit cards, including some rewards cards. You may still get approved for a premium credit card but with a lower credit limit or higher interest rate.

725 to 759: Credit cards for people with a very good credit score

In the eyes of credit card companies, there’s not a lot of difference between borrowers with very good credit and those with excellent credit.

With a score in the 725 to 759 range, you’re still likely to be approved for many credit cards, including travel credit cards and cards with premium perks. But a lower score can lead to lower credit limits.

760 and up: Credit cards for people with an excellent credit score

If you have excellent credit, you should be able to apply for any of the best credit cards in Canada and feel confident about getting approved. In fact, the average credit score in Canada is 762, according to data released by FICO in 2023[1].

However, you may still be required to meet income, age and residency requirements when applying for a credit card, and the annual fees charged by some top tier cards can be high.

Why your credit score affects your ability to get a credit card

Your credit score represents the information in your credit report, which records financial activity like repayment history and how much credit you have.

Lenders see higher scores as a reflection of responsible money management skills, while lower scores might make them question your ability to pay back debt.

Some things that can significantly lower your credit score and decrease your chances of credit card approval typically include:

A history of not paying your debts on time. Late payments can have a negative impact on your score as it implies a lack of responsible money management.
Using too much of your available credit. Lenders typically prefer dealing with borrowers who have a credit utilization ratio of less than 30%. This means if you have, say, three credit cards, each with a $2,000 credit limit, you’ll want to use no more than 30% of the total $6,000 available to you — $1,800. Only using a third of your credit shows lenders that you do not rely too heavily on borrowed money.
Applying for too much credit in a short period of time. Applying for several loans or credit cards at one time can send warning signs to lenders that your credit needs may be problematic. Only apply for credit when you have a definite need and meet all of the application requirements.
Limited credit history. Lenders may not be comfortable giving you access to their best products without evidence that proves you’re a consistent, reliable credit user.

Other factors that can impact credit card approval are your age, where you reside and your annual income. If you’ve gone through serious credit events like foreclosure, repossession or bankruptcy, it could take time and effort to get a better credit score before lenders are confident in your ability to pay back your debts.

FICO, “Average Canadian FICO® Score Holds Steady at 762,” accessed May 10, 2024.

It’s possible to be approved for some credit cards if you have a credit score below 560, but your options may be limited to secured credit cards with limited benefits and higher fees. A credit score of at least 660 will likely give you access to a wider range of credit cards, including rewards and cash-back options.