How to add money to your Questrade account with international wire transfers? A closer look

Using an international wire transfer to fund your Questrade account in CAD or USD typically takes 1–2 business days after the funds arrive. Questrade doesn't charge incoming wire fees, but sending banks may charge between 15 CAD and 80 CAD depending on the amount and origin.

For clients seeking a more cost-effective alternative, Wise offers fast, transparent domestic and international transfers at mid-market rates and low fees, making it a smart choice for global investors.

This guide will cover:
A closer look at international wire transfers to Questrade How to fund Questrade via international wire transfers Fees, limits and hold times for wire deposits to Questrade Common transfer issues and compliance precautions Alternative funding methods and their limits Meet Wise: A better way to fund Questrade internationally

A closer look at international wire transfers to Questrade

An international wire transfer to Questrade is a bank-to-broker fund transfer that allows you to fund your investment account directly from a foreign or domestic bank or financial institution. It’s designed for larger or time-sensitive deposits, making it a secure and efficient choice for international investors, expats, or Canadians with foreign bank accounts..

Both domestic and international wire transfers are supported by Questrade, with slightly different routing details depending on the currency and origin of the funds. Domestic CAD wires are typically faster and cheaper, while USD wires, and those from outside of Canada, require extra steps, such as routing through an intermediary bank.

The benefits of using an international wire transfer with Questrade include:

• Secure and traceable through banking channels
• Suitable for both Canadian and international investors
• Supports larger amounts and is ideal for high-volume funding compared to smaller methods like instant deposits
• Accepts both CAD and USD currencies directly, with USD wires possibly routed through an intermediary bank like JP Morgan Chase
• Questrade doesn’t charge incoming wire fees, though third-party fees may apply

How to fund Questrade via international wire transfers

International wire transfers are a secure way to move funds from a foreign bank account directly into your Questrade investment account. If you’re wiring USD or another currency, it’s important to follow Questrade’s instructions carefully to avoid delays or additional fees.

Step-by-step process²

1. Initiate the wire transfer from your bank

• Visit your local bank (or online banking platform if supported) to request an international wire transfer.

2. Use the correct recipient banking details based on the currency

For CAD wires (from within or outside Canada):

Beneficiary information:

• Name: Questrade, Inc.
• Address: 5700 Yonge Street, G1 - Ground floor, Toronto, ON M2M 4K2
• Account: 028741025865
• Payment details: Include your full name and Questrade account number

Beneficiary bank information:

• Bank: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
• Branch address: 5001 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N 6P6
• Transit number: 02874
• SWIFT/BIC Code: ROYCCAT2

For USD wires from outside Canada:

Intermediary bank:

• Bank name: J.P. Morgan Chase, New York
• ABA (Routing number): 021000021
• SWIFT/BIC: CHASUS33

Final beneficiary bank:

• Bank: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
• SWIFT Code: ROYCCAT2
• Account: 028744006573
• Beneficiary name: Questrade, Inc.

3. Include your Questrade account number in the reference or memo field

• This is essential to ensure your funds are properly credited to your Questrade account.

4. Double check all details before sending

• Incorrect or incomplete information can lead to delays or returned funds.

5. Allow 1–2 business days for processing

• Funds are typically posted to your Questrade account within two business days, although international transfers might take longer.

6. Check your Questrade account balance or transaction history

• You’ll receive a notification once your funds are available for trading.

Fees, limits & hold times for wire deposits to Questrade

Wire transfers are one of the most reliable ways to move large sums of money or transfer funds to and from international sources to fund your Questrade account. Here’s some of the fees and hold times you can expect before your funds are available for trading.

Questrade wire deposit fees

Currency & Source	Questrade Fee3	Intermediary Fees	Hold Time4
CAD domestic/international	$0	Varies (your sending bank or correspondent banks may deduct fees)	1–2 business days
USD from Canada	$0	Possible deduction by sending/processing banks	1–2 business days
USD from outside Canada	$0	Intermediary banks (e.g., J.P. Morgan, RBC) may deduct fees	1–2 business days, although international wires may take longer anywhere up to 5 business days

Note: Intermediary fees may vary; one user reported a $60 total deduction.

Common transfer issues and compliance precautions

When funding your Questrade account via international wire transfer, you’ll need to follow specific compliance guidelines, and mistakes in the sender information or missing intermediary details can lead to delays, rejections, or even returned funds.

Third-party transfers are not allowed

Questrade only accepts wire transfers from accounts in your own name. Transfers from third parties, including friends, family, or corporate accounts not registered with Questrade, will be rejected⁴.

Documentation may be required for large transfers

In some cases, Questrade may request proof of source of funds or wire confirmation details if the transfer is large or routed through multiple banks - a standard practice for financial institutions to comply with regulations and prevent crimes. Keep a copy of your wire receipt or SWIFT confirmation to avoid delays.

Missing intermediary details can delay your transfer

For USD wire transfers from outside Canada, Questrade requires you to use specific intermediary bank instructions (e.g., JPMorgan Chase via RBC). Omitting these details may cause the transfer to be delayed or rejected and returned⁴.

Alternative funding methods and their limits

Questrade offers several funding options in addition to international wire transfers that vary in speed, convenience, and limits, depending on the method and your bank.

Instant deposit (Visa & Interac)⁵

Questrade’s Instant Deposit feature lets you fund your account immediately using Interac Online or a Visa Debit card issued by a Canadian bank.

• Limit: Up to $10,000 per transaction, with daily/monthly caps depending on the bank.
• Timing: Funds are available instantly for trading.
• Availability: Only supports CAD and must be from a Canadian bank account in your name.

Pre-authorized Deposit (PAD)⁶

PADs are a popular electronic funding method for recurring deposits and USD due to online banking limitations with USD deposits.

• Limit: No publicized limits
• Timing: Transactions over $10,000 will take up to 4-7 business days; transactions under $10,000 should take 3-4 business days
• Currency: CAD and USD

ETF & brokerage transfers⁷

Move investments or cash from another financial institution to Questrade using their online account transfer process. Transfers can be in-kind (holdings moved as-is) or in cash (assets liquidated before transfer).

• Limit: No set limit; you can transfer any amount and as many accounts as you'd like.
• Timing: Typically 15–20 business days, depending on the outgoing institution.
• Eligible assets: Cash, stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, registered and non-registered accounts.
• Fees: Free from Questrade’s side; transfer-out fees of up to $150 per account may be reimbursed with proof.

Meet Wise: A better way to fund Questrade internationally

For Canadians transferring money from abroad into their Questrade account, Wise offers a powerful substitute to bank wires. Instead of relying on the SWIFT network, which often leads to unpredictable fees, long wait times, and poor exchange rates, Wise doesn’t use intermediary banks⁸, making transfers faster and with full fee transparency.

Key benefits of using Wise to fund Questrade:

• Mid-market exchange rates: Wise doesn’t apply hidden markups.. You always get the mid-market rate you often see on Google, which can save you anywhere from 2–3% compared to banks and brokerages that add FX spreads.
• Low, transparent fees: Wise charges a small, clearly stated fee based on the amount, currency, and destination — starting from 0.48%.⁹.
• No SWIFT deductions: Since Wise uses local account details to pay out funds, there's no need for intermediary or correspondent banks, meaning your full amount reaches Questrade without surprise losses.
• Fast delivery: 50% of Wise payments arrive instantly or within one hour. Deposits to Canadian or US accounts (like Questrade's USD wire accounts) should arrive within 1–2 business days.
• Multi-currency account: Wise lets you hold and convert over 40 currencies. You can fund your Questrade account in CAD or USD from a single Wise balance, making it ideal for global investors.
• Easy setup & repeat transfers: Once you’ve added Questrade’s wire details, you can re-use them for future deposits with just a few clicks.

Conclusion

While Questrade doesn’t charge incoming wire fees, the process often involves intermediary bank charges and FX losses that aren’t always visible upfront. You may also face multi-day hold times before funds are fully available.

Other deposit methods like Instant Deposit and Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) offer faster access and are easy to navigate, but they’re only available in Canadian dollars and tend to have lower transaction limits. Likewise, ETF or brokerage transfers work well for moving investment accounts but can take several weeks and aren’t suitable for regular deposits.

If you're sending funds from abroad, like USD, Wise is a handy go-to. With mid-market exchange rates, transparent fees, and faster delivery, Wise ensures more of your money reaches your Questrade account. Helping you retain full control over your transfers, it’s valuable to international investors, freelancers, and expats who want to avoid the hidden costs of the SWIFT system, potentially expensive bank wire fees and unexpected intermediary costs.

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Sources:

1. Wire transfers
2. Wire transfers - Questrade
3. Brokerage transfer in request - Questrade
4. Third Party Deposits - Questrade
5. Instant deposit - Funding your account - Questrade
6. Pre-authorized deposits (PADs) - Questrade
7. Brokerage transfer in request - Questrade
8. Is a SWIFT code needed for international wire transfers? - Wise
9. Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use
   Sources verified on 10 September 2025