Funding overview
Published: Oct 17, 2022
Updated: Aug 05, 2025
Effortlessly Fund Your Questrade Account: Explore Your Options.
You can add money to your Questrade account using any of these funding methods.
Each method has its own processing time and accepted currency, so choose the method that works best for you.
Processing times start after we receive the funds from your financial institution.
New accounts may take an extra 1-2 business days to activate.
Funding method | Processing time | Currency |
|---|---|---|
Instant deposit(Interac and Visa Debit) Learn more about Instant deposit | For Visa Debit deposits, the money appears instantly in your Questrade account.For Interac deposits, these may need additional validation by Interac which may delay the processing time. | CAD only |
Online banking bill payment Learn more about bill payments | 1-2 business days | CAD only |
Pre-authorized deposit (PAD) Learn more about PADs | Deposits over the $10,000 CAD daily threshold will take up to 4-7 business days to process (10 business days for the FX&CFDs account), whereas deposits under $10,000 CAD will take 3-4 business days to deposit (5 business days for the FX&CFDs account). | CAD & USD |
Transfers from another bank or broker Learn more about transfers This funding method is not supported for FX & CFD accounts. | It can take 20 business days or more to receive your holdings from the outgoing financial institution.1-2 additional business days after we receive your assets from the outgoing financial institution. | CAD & USD |
Wire transfer | 1-2 business days | CAD & USD |
Non-certified cheque | CAD non-certified cheques are held for 10 calendar daysUSD non-certified cheques are held for 15 calendar days | CAD & USD |
Stock certificate Learn more about stock certificates This funding method is not supported for FX & CFD accounts. | At this time, we are not accepting physical stock certificate deposits. Please see the linked article for DRS deposit options. | CAD & USD |
Unacceptable deposits
Cash
(When the name on your bank account doesn't match the name on your Questrade account.)
Bank Drafts - Regardless of the payee these are not accepted.
Money Orders
Certified Cheques
If you must use a cheque for a deposit, please use a regular non-certified cheque but please be aware of the clearing timelines.
E-Transfers to any Questrade email
Payment processors, such as PayTM, Plastiq, KnightsbridgeFX, and etc..
Cheques with incomplete information
Credit card cheques and credit cards
Cheques drawn on foreign banks, even if in U.S. currency
(Only cheques from Canadian institutions are accepted.)
Direct deposits by cheque or cash into Questrade's bank accounts.
Pre-authorized deposits from registered accounts like a TFSA or RRSP
For these deposits, please use a brokerage transfer instead
Explore the video below to learn more about the three most popular funding methods.
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