[ad_1] The approval process for a new credit card can feel punishing—especially if you have to wait several days for confirmation and for your card to be mailed to your home. Luckily, many credit cards now offer instant approval, making the application process much quicker and much less stressful. After filling out an application with details on your personal background, the card provider’s website runs its checks and lets you know within minutes if your application has been approved or rejected. If you’re approved with the information you’ve provided, your application is expedited for credit checks, card printing and mailing. And you can expect to receive a welcome package containing your card in five to seven business days. As a safeguard against fraud, at times an application may go under manual review, in which case the file gets forwarded for verification, sometimes taking an additional two to three business days before a final decision is made. As banking processes become increasingly digital, more credit-card applications are moving online, and more issuers are offering cards with applications that can be quickly approved. Here are the best instant-approval credit cards you can apply for right now. Best instant-approval credit cards in Canada: Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard — Use instantly after approval PC Financial Mastercard — Best no-fee rewards card American Express Cobalt — Best overall rewards credit card American Express SimplyCash Preferred; CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite — Best cash-back card BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard — Best low-interest credit card Refresh Financial Secured Visa — Approval with no credit check required Capital One Low Rate Guaranteed Mastercard — Guaranteed approval Koho Premium Visa – Honourable mention (prepaid card) What is an instant-approval credit card? Instant-approval credit cards are cards with an expedited approval process through a streamlined—practically instant—application and approval process that will help to save you time and stress. Rather than applying and waiting for the final decision to come through, the issuer will let you know immediately whether you’ve been approved or if there needs to be a manual review. Canadian Tire’s Triangle Mastercard allows newly approved cardholders to make purchases on their card via Apple Pay or Google Pay before they receive their physical credit card in the mail. What do you need to get instantly approved for a credit card? You must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen (although some cards offer a longer application if you’re not a permanent resident of Canada) You must be the age of majority (18 or 19 and older, depending on the province you reside in) You must not have a history of bankruptcy if you’re applying for an unsecured credit card (that’s most rewards and low-interest credit card options) A good credit score will increase your chances of being approved, whether you’re applying for a secured or an unsecured card Instant-approval applications require accurate information that matches any previous background information the provider or bank may already have on file (if you have another card from that provider or you bank with that institution already), your social insurance number, employment and income information, and other optional information. The more information you provide, the more effectively the approval process can verify that you are indeed… well, you! If you’re approved instantly, the system will expedite your application for proper credit checks, though you may still be contacted for further confirmation of other details. Shortly after, your card will be printed and mailed to the address you’ve indicated. All cards require a credit check or score pull, with the exception of applications where you already have an established history with the institution, or when the credit card you’ve applied for is secured, meaning you would have provided a security deposit. Best instant-approval credit cards in Canada Instant approval is available through a growing range of credit card providers, in a number of different categories. We’ve rounded up the best to help you choose the right instant-approval credit card for your needs. Card you can use instantly after approval Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard* The Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard is a great option if you shop regularly at Canadian Tire, as well as CT Gas+, Sport Chek, Mark’s, and a variety of other retailers in the Canadian Tire family. If you apply in a Canadian Tire store and are approved, you may use the card immediately, rather than waiting for it in the mail. Or, if you apply online for instant credit and are approved right away, you’ll be able to proceed to checkout, where your card details will be pre-filled in the payments section—so you can start earning 4% back on qualifying purchases immediately. You can also use your card through the Apple Pay or Google Pay apps to make purchases before you receive your physical card in the mail. Annual fee: $0 Rewards at partner locations: 4% in Canadian Tire Money on purchases at Canadian Tire and partner stores, and $0.05 back at Gas+ and participating Husky stations Rewards on everything else: 1.5% on the first $12,000 spent on groceries per calendar year (excluding Costco and Walmart); 0.5% on everything else Income requirement: None Additional benefits: Personalized offers and exclusive bonuses; member-only events; extended warranty Purchase interest rate: 19.99% Get more details about the Triangle Mastercard* Best no-fee rewards card PC Financial Mastercard* PC Financial offers one of the strongest no-fee rewards credit cards for everyday essentials. Given the wide range of stores under the President’s Choice/Loblaw Inc. umbrella—including Loblaws, No Frills, Fortinos, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh—this Mastercard is great for frequent shoppers favouring premium earning rates from grocery and pharmacy, as well as gas fill-ups at Esso and Mobil stations. You can earn at least 25 PC Optimum points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, 30 points per $10 at Esso and Mobil stations, and 10 points per $1 everywhere else. And redeeming points is dead simple: 10,000 points equals a $10 store credit (equivalent 10 points for 1% in rewards) at PC-affiliated stores. Enriched by the