Keep tapping with our virtual card while Canada Post catches up on their backlog.
So, what exactly is KOHO?
KOHO is a spending and savings account with a prepaid Mastercard.
- Sign up for and access through an easy-to-use app, with automatic approval
- Load money and start spending straight away with an instant virtual card
- There’s no need for in-person appointments, or piles of paperwork
- Download the app once you’re in Canada and set up an account in less than 5 minutes
THE NEED-TO-KNOWS
The financial system in every country is a little different, so here’s some things worth knowing about before you get started:
Account Types
A chequing account is for day-to-day spending, and a savings account is for setting money aside and earning interest on your balance. Lots of Canadians use what’s called a HISA (high interest savings account) to make the most of the money sitting in their account.
Credit Cards
Canada has a credit-based economy. Most people use a credit card for everyday spending and make monthly repayments instead of using a debit card. But this doesn’t mean you have to. If you’re used to using debit, using a reloadable prepaid credit card is a great way to start out.
Credit Scores
Your credit score is a 3 digit number that represents your credit history, including your track record of paying off debt or bills. It’s scored between 300-900 and affects your ability to rent, or take out loans. This is one of the most important things for newcomers to work on.
Receiving international transfers on KOHO
The easiest way to transfer international funds to your KOHO account is through Wise.
First, register for a Wise account, online or through the app
Next, deposit your money into your Wise account
Use the ‘pay someone else’ functionality in the app with your KOHO direct deposit details
Once the transfer has been confirmed by Wise, sit back and wait
Some resources you might find helpful
Getting started with all things money when you move can be mind-boggling. Here are some blog posts that’ll put you a few steps ahead.
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Are you thinking about moving to Canada? Here’s how much money you’ll need to qualify for a visa and thrive once you arrive.
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Unfortunately, credit scores don’t follow you when moving to a new country. Luckily, building credit from scratch is totally attainable.
6 min read
Credit scores and the Canadian immigration process—what’s the deal? Read up on Canadian credit before making the move to the Great North.
8 min read
New to Canada and eager to get your financial ducks in a row? Learn how you can start retirement planning today.
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Moving to Canada? Here are a few easy tips to help you establish and build credit from scratch.
10 min read
Newcomer to Canada? Welcome! One of the first things you should do upon arrival is open a bank account that best suits your needs.
FAQS
We’ve partnered with Peoples Trust, a federally regulated bank to hold any money you load onto your KOHO card. This means that if anything were to happen to us (and that’s a big if!), your money would be safe and you’d be able to access it through Peoples Trust. If you place your money in interest-bearing accounts, not only will you get a high interest rate, but your funds will also be eligible for CDIC insurance.
KOHO is a no-fee spending and savings account where you can get instant cash back and earn interest on your entire account. You get a prepaid reloadable Mastercard that gives you all the spending power of a credit card without any fees or interest.
Unlike a credit card, however, the KOHO card draws from funds that are already your money. This key difference makes you spend more mindfully and effectively save more. It’s connected to a smart budgeting app that simplifies day-to-day finances with spending insights and balance updates after each purchase.
The average KOHO user saves 7% of whatever money they load into their account.
It’s pretty simple. You add funds to your KOHO account in one of three ways: e-Transfer from your regular bank account, loading through an existing Visa debit, or by having your work’s payroll directly deposit your paycheque (we call this direct deposit).
Then, you use your KOHO card, either in person or online, to make purchases just like you would with any debit or credit. Plus, KOHO runs on the Mastercard network, so merchants can treat your KOHO card just like a normal credit card transaction.
No, unfortunately you can’t set up your account until you arrive in Canada, but the good news is you can do it virtually once you arrive and have the correct documents required to verify your account. You can find a list of these here.
Once you’re all set up you’ll have a virtual card that you can start using right away.
If you want to send money from your bank account in your home country you can do this using Wise. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it.
Absolutely! You’ll be sent a prepaid Mastercard when you open your account that’s accepted at more than 24 million locations in over 210 countries worldwide. Unfortunately there are some countries where you won’t be able to use your KOHO card to make purchases. You can find the list here.
The big difference is that we’re digital-first. We prioritize financially empowering our users over things like branded ATMs (though KOHO works at any ol’ ATM, and we won’t charge you for using one). Consequently, we can keep our costs low and aim to pass these savings to our users.
Plus, you get 1% cash back on groceries and transportation, and you can make even more when you shop at our brand partners.
Also, our app is pretty awesome.