Can You Get A Credit Card Without A Job?

One thing you’ll notice about almost every credit card application is that it will ask for your income.

But what if you’re currently unemployed, between jobs, or simply don’t have traditional employment income? You might wonder if you can get a credit card without a job.

The short answer is yes, but it depends on a few key factors.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get a credit card without traditional employment and the types of cards that may be available to you.

Article Key Points

• You can get a credit card without a job, but you’ll generally still need some form of income, whether it comes from EI, social assistance or some alternative source of income.
• Your credit score can have a big impact on your ability to get a credit card without a job.
• Alternative options to a regular credit card include secured credit cards and prepaid cards, some of which offer similar benefits to traditional credit cards.

Can You Get A Credit Card Without A Job?

Yes, it is possible to get a credit card in Canada even if you’re not employed. However, you’ll still require some form of income, whether that comes from EI, maternity leave, pension or some other government benefit. 

For example, if you’re a senior with pension income, you can still get a credit card, so long as your income from your pensions meets the credit card’s minimum income threshold. 

Your ability to qualify for a credit card without a job can also be impacted by your credit history and the type of card you’re applying for. Generally, you’ll have a better chance of qualifying for a basic credit card than a premium one.

For example, if you’re a student with limited income, it’s best to apply with credit cards with low income requirements, such as student credit cards or no annual fee credit cards. 

Do Credit Card Companies Verify Your Income? 

Generally, credit card companies do not verify your income by requesting pay stubs or bank statements. Instead, they’ll estimate your income level based on your credit report information. They may use your existing credit card limits, payment history, and other accounts to determine your income and financial capability. 

That said, they can ask for additional documentation if they require it. 

Credit Card Income Requirements – What Do You Need To Know

While many credit cards have minimum income requirements, just as many have low to no income requirements. 

Moreover, employment income is not the only way to show financial stability. As mentioned, many credit card providers also accept alternative forms of income, such as pension, self-employment income and certain government benefits.

What Type Of Income Do Credit Card Companies Accept? 

According to most Canadian credit card applications, income can include:

• Full-time or part-time job earnings
• Government benefits (such as disability income, pension, maternity leave, etc)
• Student loans or bursaries
• Private Pensions
• Alimony or child support
• Investment income
• Other forms of income (freelancing, side-hustle etc.) as long as it is considered business income

How To Get A Credit Card With No Job

Here are some practical strategies for getting a credit card when you’re unemployed:

Use Your Household Income

If you’re married or in a common-law relationship, you can use your household income to qualify for a credit card. Most credit cards will have an option on their application to add your household income. While household income requirements are higher than the personal income requirement, it may be more attainable than applying by yourself. 

Note: If you’re currently unemployed but have a significant nest egg built up, you could use your assets to qualify for a credit card. Some credit cards will approve you if you have $250,000 or more in savings or investments. 

Become An Authorized User

Ask a family member or partner if you can be added as an authorized user on their card. 

An authorized user is simply an additional user (a.k.a: supplementary cardholder) on a credit card. As an authorized user, you can use the credit card like the primary user (though access to perks may be limited), however, you’re not responsible for the credit card payments. 

You and the primary cardholder will have to make your own arrangements regarding payments. Moreover, as an authorized user, you won’t be able to build your credit report, as most providers only report the payments under the primary cardholder.

Learn more: What Is An Authorized User On A Credit Card?

Look For No Minimum Income Requirement Credit Cards

Some credit cards in Canada don’t have a minimum income requirement or have a very low income requirement ( ex: $12,000/annually). These often include no-fee credit cards or low-interest credit cards.

Many of these credit cards also come with a cash back or points system, allowing you to redeem rewards. However, they generally lack certain features such as a comprehensive travel insurance package, concierge service, and car rental insurance. 

Note: You’ll generally still need good credit. If you have bad credit, your options will likely be limited to secured credit cards.

Learn more: Best No-Fee Credit Cards Canada

Apply For A Student Credit Card

If you’re a student, there are also specific student credit cards designed with fewer requirements and lower credit limits–which is a great option for those with no or limited credit history.

Many of Canada’s big banks such as RBC, Scotiabank, and TD offer student credit cards with no annual fees. 

Apply For A Store Credit Card

Store credit cards (like those from Canadian Tire or Walmart) often have more lenient approval requirements. These cards can be a helpful entry point to accessing credit, given relatively lower barriers to applying.

Learn more: Best Store Credit Cards In Canada

Other Credit Cards You Can Get Without A Job 

If traditional credit cards aren’t available to you, here are some alternative options that still offer credit-like flexibility:

Secured Credit Cards

These cards work just like regular credit cards, but you’ll need to provide a security deposit (usually $50–$500), which acts as your credit limit. You can then make purchases and repay the card to regain access to your credit limit. 

Secured credit cards are a great option for those with no job, as you’re pretty much guaranteed approval if you can meet the minimum security deposit. Moreover, there are generally no credit checks or income requirements.

Furthermore, you can use a secured credit card to build your credit as your payments are reported to the credit bureau. Many secured credit cards also come with perks such as cash back, points, insurance and other benefits.

Best Secured Credit Cards

	Annual Fee	Purchase Interest Rates	Min. Deposit
Secured Neo Mastercard	$5/monthly	– 19.99% – 29.99% – QC: 19.99% – 24.99%	$50
Secured Tims® Mastercard	$0	– 20.99% – 26.99% – QC: 20.99% – 24.99%	$50
Home Trust Secured Visa Card	0$ or $59	– 19.99% (no annual fee) – 14.90% (with annual fee)	$500
Vancity enviro™ Secured Visa* card	$0 – $395	11.25% or 19.50 %	$500

Reloadable Prepaid Cards

Unlike traditional credit cards, with prepaid credit cards, you’re spending your own funds—not a credit limit. With reloadable prepaid cards, you can use them to make purchases online or in-person. It’s ideal for budgeting, avoiding debt, or for those who can’t qualify for regular credit cards.

Moreover, many of these prepaid cards offer various benefits, such as:

• Cash back like credit cards
• Savings interest like a savings account
• Free transactions like an unlimited chequings account

Some popular options include Neo Money and KOHO.

However, do note that prepaid cards do not help you build credit as payments are not reported to the credit bureaus. 

Drawbacks Of Getting A Credit Card Without A Job

• Limited Options: You may not qualify for premium cards with higher limits, rewards, or travel perks. These cards often require higher income thresholds or excellent credit scores, which are harder to achieve without steady employment.
• Limited Credit Building: Some alternative cards, like prepaid cards, don’t report to credit bureaus unless paired with a credit-building program. Be sure to check whether your activity will help grow your credit profile.

Risks Of Getting A Credit Card Without A Job

While it’s certainly possible to get a credit card without a job, there are a few risks to keep in mind:

• Higher Risk of Rejection: Without proof of income, lenders may be hesitant to extend credit, especially if your credit score is low or thin. Frequent rejections can also lower your credit score even further.
• Impact on Credit Score: Applying for too many cards at once can hurt your credit score due to hard inquiries. It’s better to research and apply selectively for cards where you meet the requirements.
• Potential Debt Risk: Without stable income, there’s a higher risk of carrying a balance and falling into debt. Credit cards are a constructive tool, but they can make it easy to overspend, and if you can’t pay off your balance in full each month, interest charges can quickly add up. Only borrow what you know you can repay. You may want to consider setting up alerts or auto-payments to stay on top of due dates.

Additional Reading

Best Unemployment Loans In Canada 2025

No Bank Account Loans In Canada

Best Ways To Borrow Money In Canada Now

Bottom Line

You don’t need a traditional job to get a credit card in Canada, but it is helpful to understand your options. Whether you rely on government benefits, are a student, or do not have a traditional job, there’s likely a credit product that suits your situation while also enabling you to build your credit.

Be realistic about your credit limit, avoid unnecessary spending, and use your card to build good credit habits, because strong credit can open doors later on when your income increases.

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