A no annual fee credit card is a great option for students looking to apply for their first credit card. Our pick is the BMO CashBack Mastercard, which offers no annual fee as well as 5% cash back on all purchases for the first three months. Find more details in our overview. 

While no fee cards are usually easier to be approved for than higher-tier rewards cards (which carry annual fees), that doesn’t mean that anyone can be instantly approved.

For some no fee credit cards, applications are still subject to a hard credit check, so having a less-than-stellar score could affect your chances of approval. Other no fee cards (such as the Tangerine World Mastercard) come with a minimum income requirement, meaning you must make a set amount of income per year to qualify.

With a no fee card, you will often receive smaller rewards and perks, but won't have to pay an annual fee. If you’re on a strict budget, a student, or someone who doesn’t use their card frequently enough to justify paying an annual fee for high-end rewards and bonuses, a no fee credit card might be the right choice for you. As long as you use your card moderately and pay your bills on time, a no fee card is an excellent choice for a casual card user.