Most Canadian cash advance apps require you to have direct deposit for your paycheques. But this can be a stumbling block if you’re a gig worker, freelancer or don’t have direct deposit set up. A few apps in Canada offer payday loans and cash advances with no direct deposit required. Here are your options.
Depending on the cash advance app, you don’t need direct deposit to get a small loan. However, you might be charged a monthly subscription fee, and there may be an extra fee for fast transfers.
KOHO Cover works like overdraft protection to help you cover small, unexpected expenses. Access up to $250 with zero interest and no credit check. You'll have to pay a subscription fee starting at $2/month and subscribe to a KOHO plan, which costs $0–$19 per month.
No interest charges
No credit check
Easy to apply
No required income
KOHO Cover fee and monthly plan fee
Small loan amounts
Won't improve your credit score
Loan amount
$20 – $250
APR
Starting at 0%
Term
Flexible
Fees
0% interest with a subscription fee starting at $2/month
Turnaround time
Immediately
Serviced provinces
All provinces and territories
How do cash advance apps without direct deposit work?
Cash advance apps are pretty easy to use. Simply download the app, provide basic personal information to create an account and link your external bank account. The cash advance app determines if you’re eligible and how much you can get. It’s important to note that not everyone is eligible, and not all eligible users will be approved for the app’s maximum advance amount.
If you need a cash advance to get you to your next paycheck, request it directly through the app. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive funds immediately or within a few days, depending on the available transfer options. Sometimes, you can pick a date to repay the advance or one is assigned to you, and you’ll usually have to repay it within one to two weeks.
Requirements to qualify for cash advances without direct deposit in Canada
While you may not need to have your paycheques directly deposited to benefit from a cash advance app, there are some basic requirements to meet, which vary depending on the app. In general, you’ll need:
Have an active chequing account
Show evidence of regular deposits or income
Be the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19)
Pros and cons of using cash advance apps without direct deposit
Like any financial transaction, there are benefits and drawbacks to using cash advance apps that don’t require direct deposit.
Pros
Fast access to cash
Typically no interest charges
Easy to qualify
No credit checks
Cons
Smaller loan amounts than other loan options
Not every user is eligible for cash advances
Some apps charge monthly subscription fees
May have to pay a fee for instant funding
Pro tip:
If your advance limits are initially low, keep using the app for cash advances. Your advance limits typically get higher (up to a maximum limit) as you demonstrate regular and responsible borrowing.
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for borrowing over a continued period of time and are expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing. If you're experiencing financial hardship call Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.Maximum borrowing costs will vary by province. Review the maximum borrowing cost for your province before entering into a loan agreement.
Get a payday loan with no direct deposit required
Payday loans are one of the most expensive borrowing options out there and should be treated as a last resort. APRs range from around 390% to 780%, and, with some exceptions, you’re expected to repay the full amount when you receive your next paycheque. But it’s easy to qualify for a payday loan in Canada, making it an option if you’re having trouble getting approved by other lenders.
Apply for a payday loan online in minutes with iCash, which provides instant application decisions and 24/7 funding. Customer support is available round the clock, which not all payday lenders offer. iCash conveniently accepts many types of income, including Canadian government benefits and social assistance payments.
Instant application decision
Round-the-clock customer care
Accepts borrowers with bad and no credit
Quick funding via e-Transfer
Extremely high fees
Terms of 2 weeks up to 62 days, depending on where you live.
Popular cash advances & payday loans and whether direct deposit is required
There are many Canadian loan apps to choose from, depending on your needs. Borrowing requirements vary, and not all lenders require that you receive income by direct deposit.
If you’re not eligible for cash advances or need a larger amount than you qualify for, there are other options to consider.
Credit card cash advances. Anyone with a credit card (and enough available balance) can get a cash advance via bank or ATM. However, interest rates are even higher for credit card cash advances than regular purchases.
Payday loans. A payday loan may be able to offer a larger loan amount, but you’ll pay extremely high fees for the convenience.
Personal loans. If you qualify, a personal loan can provide larger loan amounts with longer repayment terms and competitive interest rates.
Secured loans. If you have something to use as collateral, such as a car, boat, jewelry or other valuable item, you may be able to get a secured loan to cover your financial need.
Bottom line
Some cash advance apps require users to have direct deposit for their paycheques. But a few Canadian apps like Bree and Nyble provide short-term loans in the form of cash advances for borrowers without direct deposit. You don’t have to pay interest and, depending on the provider, you could get funds instantly (although a small fee may be required).
Along with some payday loan providers, this presents a great way for freelancers, gig workers and others who don’t have direct deposit enabled to get a hold of funds to cover short-term financial gaps.
Frequently asked questions
In some cases, you can download a cash advance app and receive funds all on the same day. Other apps may take a day or two to verify your personal and banking information, or you may have to wait a few days to receive the loan if you don't want to pay an expedited transfer fee.
Even if you're not immediately eligible for a cash advance from your app, that doesn't mean you'll never be. Some lenders raise your maximum loan amount after you've built up a history of borrowing and repaying funds responsibly.
Each cash advance app uses different algorithms to determine how much money you can borrow for a cash advance. Factors may include your income and whether you have previously borrowed and repaid loans with the same lender.
Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio
Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing
in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20
years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and
online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her
start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics
such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in
personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her
bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a
postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also
in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and
likes to read and play golf. See full bio
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