Interac e-Transfer: how it works, how to fix it, how to use it (Canada 2026)
Updated · Tested by DailyStash editors
Setup & auto-deposit
Turn on auto-deposit so incoming transfers land instantly without a security question. Every Big Six bank supports it — the exact menu path varies, so we've split it out by bank.
Cancel, hold & modify
You can cancel any Interac e-Transfer that's still pending — before the recipient accepts, or before their auto-deposit fires. After that, the money's a completed payment.
Troubleshooting
Most Interac failures come from limits, contact info mismatches, or bank maintenance. Fixes bank-by-bank, plus how long transfers should actually take.
Interac e-Transfer limits by bank
Defaults vary; every bank lets you request higher within their own maximum. Full per-bank breakdown on the limits guide.
| Bank | Daily limit | Weekly / 30-day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD Canada Trust | CA$[VERIFY] | CA$[VERIFY] | See per-bank page for exact request path. |
| RBC | CA$[VERIFY] | CA$[VERIFY] | See per-bank page for exact request path. |
| CIBC | CA$[VERIFY] | CA$[VERIFY] | See per-bank page for exact request path. |
| Scotiabank | CA$[VERIFY] | CA$[VERIFY] | See per-bank page for exact request path. |
| BMO | CA$[VERIFY] | CA$[VERIFY] | See per-bank page for exact request path. |
| National Bank | CA$[VERIFY] | CA$[VERIFY] | See per-bank page for exact request path. |
Interac e-Transfer FAQ
What is Interac e-Transfer?
Interac e-Transfer is Canada's real-time bank-to-bank payment rail, launched in 2003 and now used by over 300 Canadian financial institutions. You send money by entering the recipient's email or Canadian mobile number; they deposit it via their own bank.
How much can I e-Transfer?
Default daily limits at the Big Six banks are typically CA$[VERIFY]-CA$[VERIFY]. The Interac network hard cap is CA$25,000 per transfer. Every bank lets you request a higher limit — see the increase-limit guide below.
Why is my e-Transfer stuck?
The three most common causes are (1) the recipient hasn't accepted, (2) your bank flagged it for fraud review (typical on first-time or high-value sends), or (3) your bank is in a maintenance window. Details in the troubleshooting guide.
How do I cancel an e-Transfer?
Log in to your bank, find the transfer under Pending, tap Cancel. This only works before the recipient accepts (or before auto-deposit fires).
What is auto-deposit?
Auto-deposit is a free Interac feature that removes the security question — incoming transfers to your registered email/phone deposit instantly. It's now the recommended default.