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Everyday account youth offer for international students and newcomers to Canada

Take advantage of our financial services designed for you and get an everyday account with a free1 monthly plan if you're 18 to 24 or 25 to 30 and studying full time.

Outside Canada? Fill out an application to open an account from abroad.

Making your new life in Canada easier

Our youth offer2 includes an everyday account for your day-to-day transactions. Get advice and products tailored to newcomers.

Everyday account with a free monthly plan

Enjoy all the benefits of an everyday account with the free1 Unlimited plan, including unlimited regular transactions for as long as you're eligible. Use it to make deposits, payments, withdrawals or transfers.

Are you eligible?

This offer is for you if you meet 1 of the following criteria.

  • You're between 18 and 24.
  • You're between 25 and 30 and enrolled in a full-time college, vocational or university program at a recognized educational institution in Canada. You must confirm your enrollment status each year.3

If you're a newcomer and don't meet these conditions, you may be eligible for our welcome offer for newcomers

Opening an account from abroad

Follow these steps to start opening your account online if you're outside Canada.

  1. Make sure you have a valid passport and know your future address or the postal code of your educational institution in Canada.
  2. Fill out the form to open an account from abroad.
  3. You'll receive a welcome email within 24 to 48 hours following confirmation, with next steps and information about your account.
  4. You can make 1 money transfer for a fee before you leave4, 5 by following the instructions in the email and filling out the Incoming wire transfer (bilingual, PDF, 199 KB) This link will open in a new window. form.
  5. Follow the instructions in the email to book an appointment at a caisse or branch 2 weeks before you leave.
  6. At your appointment, we'll finish opening your account. Bring the required documents to your appointment to confirm your identity and pick up your debit card if you requested one.

Features of the youth offer

Get the free Unlimited plan and several other perks with our youth offer.

  • Unlimited regular transactions on AccèsD, with the debit card (upon request), at an ATM6 and at the teller
  • Free Interac e-Transfers®, included with your unlimited regular transactions
  • Access to the AccuLink® ATM network
  • Free paper and online account statements

Service Fees may apply.

Credit cards

No credit history? Speak with an advisor about applying for a card to build credit in Canada7.

Learn more about credit reports

Need insurance?

Start your new life in Canada on solid ground and prepare for the unexpected.

Visitors to Canada Insurance

Get healthcare and emergency medical services in case of accident or illness while you wait for provincial coverage or when you travel to Canada.

Learn more about Visitors to Canada Insurance.

Car insurance

This type of insurance is required in Canada if you drive a car or any other motor vehicle. Previous driving experience in your home country may be recognized and lower your premium when you request an auto insurance quote8.

Learn more about auto insurance.

Tenant insurance

If you're a tenant, your landlord's home insurance won't cover your belongings. Tenant insurance covers not only your belongings but also your relocation expenses and liability in the event of a loss.

Learn more about tenant insurance.

Travel insurance

Travel with peace of mind. Get coverage to avoid unexpected stressors that may affect or even derail your trip.

Learn more about travel insurance.
See all insurance products

Perks that make a real difference

Transfer funds before you leave

Transfer funds to your new Desjardins account to access your money when you arrive in Canada. Fees for transferring and receiving money may vary according to your financial institution45.

International money transfers

You can also make international money transfers of up to $5,000 total per day9 for a fee.

Here for you throughout this transition

Looking to make informed financial decisions for your move to Canada? We have resources and a multilingual team of experts to guide you.

Explore our resources for newcomers.

Why choose us?

Expertise

We’re the largest cooperative financial group in North America10, with more than 7 million members and clients. We offer a wealth of financial and insurance services.

Commitment

Become a member of a financial cooperative that shares your values. The well-being of our members and communities is what drives our actions.

Convenience

To better support our members and communities, visit one of the 200 caisses or branches and over 600 points of service in Quebec and Ontario.

FAQ

What documents and information do I need to open an everyday account from abroad?

To open an everyday account from abroad and benefit from the youth offer, you need to have a valid passport and know your future address or the postal code of your school in Canada.

Plan to arrive within 12 months of applying. If not, you'll have to fill out a new application.

Can I still get the youth offer if I'm between 25 and 30?

You can benefit from the youth offer if you're between 25 and 30 and a full-time student at a recognized university, college or vocational school in Canada.

You'll have to call us to confirm your full-time enrollment each year. You can do this from the first business day of the month following your birthday. At any time, you may need to show us proof of your enrollment status3. 

When will I need to start paying fees?

The free youth-offer period ends:

  • The last business day of the month of your 25th birthday if you're between 18 and 24
  • The last business day of the month of your 31st birthday if you're a full-time student between 25 and 303

What fees will I need to pay once the youth offer ends?

Once the offer expires, you'll need to pay the monthly Unlimited plan fees in force. You'll also be billed for paper statements if you choose that option.

You can keep the Unlimited plan or choose another plan better suited to your needs. You won't need to pay a monthly fee if you maintain the required minimum balance in your everyday account.

Open an everyday account

Online

It takes about 15 minutes to open an account.

Open an account

Outside Canada? Fill in the application to open an account from abroad

AccuLink® is a registered trademark owned by the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA), used under licence. Interac® andInterac e-Transfer® are registered trademarks of Interac Corp. Used under licence. Offer subject to change or termination at any time without notice. Certain conditions apply.To get this offer, you must go to your caisse or call1-800-224-7737 Phone number of AccèsD customer service for Canada and the US. (1-800-CAISSES). You must also be able to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements.
If you're between 25 and 30, you'll need to confirm your student status the month after your birthday every year. We may ask you to provide proof of enrollment at any time. The offer will be automatically withdrawn if you're no longer eligible.Applicable fees are calculated on the transferred amount received, or, as the case may be, on the amount in Canadian dollars 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.Account openings and money transfers from certain countries may be subject to strict regulations under Canadian and international economic sanctions.Additional fees of $1.50, $3.00 or $5.00 may apply to withdrawals made from non-Desjardins ATMs affiliated with the Interac and PLUS networks. Some ATM operators also charge their own fees to use their machines. They must notify you via an on-screen message before processing the transaction, so you can choose to cancel the transaction. These fees are added to the amount of the withdrawal and are paid directly to the ATM operator. For more information, see the Service fees page.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.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.Certain conditions, exclusions and limitations may apply.Source: Exploring The Cooperative Economy, World Cooperative Monitor, December 2022.