Sending money from Canada to the USA is best achieved through specialized online transfer services like Wise or Remitly for competitive exchange rates and lower fees, or via bank wire transfers for larger, secure amounts. Common options include Wise, Remitly, Western Union, and major Canadian banks (RBC, Scotiabank). Transfers can be sent directly to bank accounts, for cash pickup, or via debit/credit card.
If you want to send money to someone in the US, you would have to make global or international transfers through your bank. Interac e-transfer same-day transfers are only available from one Canadian bank account to another.
Zelle isn't an option for international money transfers because both the sender and recipient of a Zelle payment need a US based bank account and mobile phone number.
However, it is only available in the United States and the United Kingdom, which is a disadvantage for Canadians seeking a similar experience. Fortunately, there are alternatives and here are some popular options.
Yes, PayPal works extensively in Canada for online shopping, sending/receiving money domestically and internationally, and managing finances, supporting CAD and other currencies, allowing users to link bank accounts or cards for transactions, though fees apply for certain international or card-funded payments. It's a widely used platform, even accepted by major Canadian retailers, and serves as a common alternative to other services like Venmo in Canada, note this Wise article.
Trusted by over 1 million users, Sendwave is operated by Zepz. and is authorized to transmit money in the US, Canada, the UK and the EU.
Fast and secure money transfers.
Send money abroad to friends & family in the United States with PayPal. Use the currency converter to get an indication of the rate you may receive when sending money between PayPal accounts from Canada to the US. Transaction fees and currency conversion fees may apply.
Western Union fees for sending $1,000 to the U.S. vary significantly, from as low as around $2 (using bank-to-bank) to over $30 (using a credit card for cash pickup), depending on your payment method (bank, debit, credit card) and delivery choice (bank deposit, cash pickup), with bank funding usually cheapest and credit cards most expensive, plus potential exchange rate markups on international transfers.
For payments within Canada, Interac e-Transfer® delivers the speed and convenience that Zelle provides in the US. Funds typically arrive within minutes, and most Canadians are already familiar with the process.
NOTE: Other Cash App features are unavailable outside the US or UK. This includes sending a P2P payment, adding funds, and withdrawing funds. See Terms and Conditions for more information about how to qualify for Cash App Green.
Bank Transfer
Bank transfers are usually the cheapest option when it comes to funding your international money transfer with Wise. Bank transfers can be slower than debit or credit cards, but they usually give you the best value for your money. Read more how to use bank transfers as a payment option.
You can send money to other countries through a variety of businesses and financial institutions including:
Venmo has become one of the most popular ways to send and receive money quickly and easily, which has many Canadians wondering, “Is Venmo in Canada?”. Unfortunately, Venmo is not available in Canada.
A: No, Cash App is not available in Canada. The platform only operates in the United States and the United Kingdom. Canadian businesses must use alternatives like Venn, Wise, or other Canadian-built payment platforms.
Sending money using your Cash App Balance or debit card in the U.S. Our Foreign Transaction Fee is 3%. If you (a) spend $500 or more in Qualifying Purchases, or (b) receive $300 or more in Qualifying Deposits each month, we will waive our Foreign Transaction Fee until the end of the following calendar month.