Many banks in Canada will not give a person a credit card if they do not have a Canadian credit history. A credit history is a record of the loans a person has applied for and credit cards they have used. Having a good credit history is important because when you apply for a loan, it shows the lender that you have paid back your past debts. A good credit history is important when you are applying for a mortgage or a personal loan.
There are different options to get a credit card with no Canadian credit history. Talking to the staff at your bank is a good place to start. Other options include applying for a secured credit card, a joint card or a retail credit card.