Interac e-Transfer is Canada’s domestic person-to-person payment system. It is fast, widely supported, and free or near-free at most banks. The timing of an e-Transfer depends mainly on whether the recipient uses Autodeposit.
How Long Do e-Transfers Take?
With Autodeposit (fastest)
If the recipient has Interac Autodeposit registered to their email or phone number, the transfer deposits directly into their account without any action required on their part.
Typical timing: 1–30 minutes
- During business hours: usually 1–5 minutes
- Off-peak hours (late night, early morning): up to 30 minutes
- In rare cases during system maintenance: up to a few hours
Autodeposit is the recommended way to receive e-Transfers. Most major Canadian banks support it, and it eliminates the need for security questions or manual acceptance.
Without Autodeposit (traditional method)
If the recipient has not set up Autodeposit:
- You send the transfer — the recipient receives an email or SMS notification almost immediately
- They click the link in the notification and are directed to their bank’s online banking
- They accept the transfer by answering the security question
- Funds appear in their account — typically within minutes of acceptance
Total timing: Depends entirely on when the recipient acts on the notification. The transfer can sit pending for days if the recipient doesn’t check their email. Unclaimed transfers expire after 30 days.
e-Transfer Timing by Bank (with Autodeposit)
| Bank | Autodeposit Timing |
|---|---|
| RBC | 1–5 minutes |
| TD | 1–5 minutes |
| BMO | 1–5 minutes |
| Scotiabank | 1–5 minutes |
| CIBC | 1–5 minutes |
| Tangerine | 1–10 minutes |
| Simplii Financial | 1–10 minutes |
| EQ Bank | 1–10 minutes |
| KOHO | 1–10 minutes |
| National Bank | 1–5 minutes |
These are typical ranges — not guarantees. Timing varies based on system load and the specific transfer.
24/7 Processing — Weekends and Holidays Included
Unlike cheques and wire transfers, Interac e-Transfers process around the clock, 365 days a year. A transfer sent at 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve will arrive just as quickly as one sent on a Tuesday morning.
This makes e-Transfer the most practical option for time-sensitive personal payments regardless of the day or time.
e-Transfer Limits
| Bank | Single Transfer Limit | 24-Hour Limit |
|---|---|---|
| RBC | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| TD | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| BMO | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| Scotiabank | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| CIBC | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| Tangerine | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| Simplii Financial | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| EQ Bank | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| National Bank | $3,000 | $10,000 |
To send more than the limit: Contact your bank to request a temporary or permanent limit increase. Some banks offer higher limits (up to $25,000 per transfer) for premium account holders or upon request. Business accounts typically have higher default limits.
Why Is My e-Transfer Delayed?
The recipient hasn’t accepted it (no Autodeposit): Without Autodeposit, the transfer only moves when the recipient acts. Check whether they received the notification — it may be in their spam folder.
Security review: Banks flag unusual transfers (e.g., a large first-time transfer to a new recipient) for manual review. This can add 30 minutes to a few hours.
Incorrect email or phone number: If the notification bounced back to you as undeliverable, check the contact information and resend. If you sent to the wrong person, cancel the transfer immediately if it is still pending.
System maintenance: Interac and individual banks occasionally have scheduled maintenance windows. Transfers sent during these windows may be delayed by 30–60 minutes.
How to Set Up Autodeposit
- Log in to your bank’s online banking or mobile app
- Navigate to Interac e-Transfer settings (usually under “Transfers” or “Payments”)
- Find Autodeposit or Auto-Deposit settings
- Register your email address or mobile phone number
- Interac will send a confirmation to the email/number — confirm it
- Autodeposit is now active for that contact method
Once set up, any e-Transfer sent to your registered email or phone deposits automatically.
Can You Cancel an e-Transfer in Canada?
Yes — but only if the transfer has not yet been accepted or deposited via Autodeposit.
- With Autodeposit: The transfer goes directly to the recipient’s account and cannot be cancelled after it is sent.
- Without Autodeposit (pending): Log in to your bank’s app or online banking, find the pending transfer in your sent list, and select “Cancel.” The funds return to your account.
For a cancelled transfer, funds typically return within 30 minutes to 1 business day.