Your deposit method matters more than most traders realize, because anti-money-laundering rules mean withdrawals return by the same route.
The main rails
- Interac e-Transfer — fast and familiar; supported by several brokers with per-transfer limits.
- EFT / bank transfer — the workhorse for serious balances; 1–3 business days.
- Wire — fastest for large amounts; your bank will charge C$15–50.
- Cards — instant but limited, and some issuers treat broker deposits as cash advances.
Withdrawal speed in practice
Broker processing (usually same or next business day at regulated firms) plus banking rails. EFT withdrawals typically land within 1–3 business days of approval.
Related broker reviews
Want to compare your options in more depth? Read our full VT Markets review (9.3/10) and StarTrader review (9.1/10), or see how they stack up head-to-head in our VT Markets vs StarTrader comparison.
Ready to compare accounts? VT Markets is our top-rated broker right now.9.3/10 · From 0.0 pips · Min deposit $50
CAD vs USD accounts
If you deposit CAD into a USD-denominated account, conversion costs 0.5–2% each way. Choose a CAD base currency where available, or convert deliberately at better rates first.