Hello Canada Account - Frequently Asked Questions

The Hello Canada Account is designed specifically for individuals who are planning to move to Canada to live, work or study. It offers three types of Canadian dollar personal chequing accounts, each with different features.  Customers can begin the process of opening a Hello Canada Account from their home country, as well as deposit funds into the account and obtain a Certificate of Balance to fulfill the Immigration Department of the Government of Canada’s proof of funds requirement.

*Non-Resident status: The account is opened but the customer is in their home country.
**Resident status: The customer has arrived in Canada and completed the identity verification (KYC) process as per Canadian Regulations. Customers are classified as “non-resident” until they complete the KYC process, even after arrival in Canada.

Any individuals from India, Bahrain, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, UK, USA, Vietnam with a valid Canadian visa in any of the following categories:

• Canadian citizen moving back to Canada;
• Permanent resident (immigration);
• On a work permit (valid for more than 6 months); or
• On a study permit.

Click here and follow the instructions provided.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Copy of passport pages (i) photo page, including your personal details, and  (ii) any additional pages containing pertinent information, e.g. your parents’ or guardians’ names and addresses (if applicable); and
• Copy of Visa.

Click here and follow the instructions provided.

The following documents are required to activate the account:

• Permanent resident card or one of the following documents issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada: IMM 1000, IMM 1442, IMM 5292 or IMM 5688;
• Secondary photo ID from your home country. For example: driving license or any other national identity cards; and
• Valid passport.

The Immigration Department of the Government of Canada requires proof that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada. They determine the amount of money required according to the number of people in your family. You cannot borrow this money from another person. These funds must be available to cover living expenses for you and your family, even if they are not accompanying you.

For more information, go to the Goverment of Canada Website http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp

A Certificate of Balance will be sent to you automatically via your ICICI Bank Canada Secure Mailbox after we receive the funds that you deposited into your Hello Canada Account.

Your account will only become fully operational once you have completed your account activation in Canada. While you are in your home country, you will only be allowed to remit funds to your Hello Canada Account, up to a maximum of CAD 100,000.

We require a copy of your Canadian visa in order to process your application for a Hello Canada Account. A Visitor Visa or Temporary Resident Permit will not be accepted. You must provide an Immigrant Visa, Student Visa or Work Visa that is valid for more than 6 months.

Currently, we are only offering the Hello Canada Account to people who intend to either permanently immigrate to Canada or temporarily work or study in Canada.

ICICI Bank Canada is a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). CDIC is a federal Crown corporation. Only deposits held in Canadian currency, having a term of five years or less and payable in Canada are insurable under the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.

There is no minimum amount required to open a Hello Canada Account.

There is no minimum balance requirement for a Hello Canada Account.

The Hello Canada Account must be opened as a single-holder account; however, you can add your spouse or partner as a joint account holder once you have activated your account in Canada.

Funds are usually credited into the account within 3-5 business days, however, in some cases it may take longer.

Interest starts accruing from the day you activate your Hello Canada Account, subject to account balance requirements. No interest is paid until the account is activated in Canada with the submission of required documents as per Canadian regulations.

You can send money to your Hello Canada Account any time after you are provided with the account number. International wire transfers may take more than five business days to reach ICICI Bank Canada. We recommend that you send money to your account at least a month before you travel to Canada.

The account opening process will take approximately 1-2 business days provided that all documents are in order and no further clarification is required. You will receive a confirmation letter with your account number via your ICICI Bank Secure Mailbox.

Click here and follow the instructions provided.

You will be able to perform all regular banking transactions after the account is activated in Canada.

Applications can only be submitted through the ICICI Bank Hello Canada App or through our website.

You must communicate with us via the ICICI Bank Canada Secure Mailbox for all questions related to your application.

For any other queries:

• Email customercare.ca@icicibank.com
• Call toll-free from India at 1-800-200-3340
• Elsewhere, call collect at 1-416-847-7979

To help retrieve your application promptly, please have your application information, supporting documents, and submission date available during the call.

Visit the ICICI Bank Hello Canada Account login page, click on ’Forgot Password‘ and follow the instructions provided.

Only you can deposit funds into your Hello Canada Account. Funds must be sent from your own account in your home country, held exclusively in your name, or jointly with your parents or spouse. In the event of a refund, the money will be returned to this bank account.

For privacy reasons, ICICI Bank Canada will not disclose any information to any third-party.

If you need to update your personal information, please notify us through the ICICI Bank Canada Secure Mailbox, with supporting documentation (if applicable), by replying to the last message received from the Bank.