Dubai: A leading Canadian bank is offering new immigrants the opportunity to open a bank account from the UAE and also free services as a kick-start to managing your finances in your new home.

Rania Llewellyn, vice- president of multicultural banking with Scotiabank, said about 40 per cent of the new immigrants to Canada every year come from the Philippines, China and the sub-continent.

Every year about 6,000 people from the UAE apply for immigration to Canada, according to immigration consultants.

But new immigrants had complained that their degrees are not recognised and they have to seek work outside their field of specialisation.

Recently, Ottawa said it will fast-track verification of the qualifications of foreign workers to help stem a growing shortage of skilled workers.

Llewellyn said agents in Dubai can assist in setting up the bank accounts — which have freebies such as free day-to-day banking for a year, a no-fee Visa card, a safety deposit box and a free $5 (Dh18.36) calling card.

You need not have a credit history, an initial deposit or be employed to open the account. The multicultural banking programme is called Start-Right and has a website with a multilingual branch locator to help customers find the closest location that offers services in their language.

The bank is also targeting international students. More than 1,000 students from the Gulf apply to study in Canadian universities every year, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia sending the largest numbers.

Immigration consultants said Ottawa has made it easier for international students who wish to remain in the country after graduation.

Work permits

New graduates can now get work permits without a job offer and those with work experience will find it easier to apply for immigration papers.

Pankaj Mehra, director of India and South Asia Markets, said the investor programme is also gathering pace. "As they say, somebody's misery is somebody's gain," he said, about the investments coming in to Canada from Pakistan.

Under the immigrant investor programme, the applicant must invest $400,000, which will be returned after five years without interest.

What is Scotiabank?

  • Scotiabank has 1,000 branches and 2,850 ATMs serving over 7 million customers across Canada.
  • www.startright.scotiabank.com is the website for immigrants to Canadia