Transfer Bonuses
Canadian Brokerage Transfer Bonuses & Promotions
Updated Nov 5, 2026
Canadian brokerages run transfer promotions with a cash-back offer or sign-up bonus, and some require a promo code. Enter what you'd move in registered and non-registered accounts to compare each net bonus after the transfer-out fee.
This page contains affiliate links, including the link to Qtrade Direct Investing™, which may earn FolioNorth a commission at no extra cost to you. Once you enter an amount, offers rank purely by value and a partner only wins an exact tie; before you enter an amount, we list our partner first. See our full disclosure.
Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Direct Investing, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.
Data freshness
9 of 9 offers have structured source checks
Most recent check: Nov 5, 2026.
Your Transfer
TFSA, RRSP, spousal RRSP, FHSA, LIRA/LRSP
$0$2M
Cash and margin accounts (taxable)
$0$2M
Some offers (including Scotia iTRADE) pay a higher rate on registered assets than on non-registered. Splitting your transfer lets us price both correctly. Fee-reimbursement minimums may apply per account or to your combined transfer. For per-account offers, we treat each amount as one account transfer. Where an offer excludes locked-in accounts (LIRA/LRSP) from its transfer-fee rebate, like TD, we assume your registered amount is not locked-in when estimating that rebate.
Outgoing broker transfer-out fee
Most Canadian brokers charge $50–$150 to transfer out. Some reimburse it. See each offer.
Best move
Enter your transfer amounts above to see your best move and net bonus after fees.
Current Canadian brokerage transfer promotions
Enter a transfer amount to rank these by annualized net bonus. Until then they are listed in our editorial order, with a partner we work with shown first. Action promos and coupon rewards are shown separately so they do not distort transfer-bonus math.
Up to $5,000 cash back, plus a $100 sign-up bonus
$100 sign-up bonus: New clients only; fund the new account with at least $25,000 within the first 30 days of account opening. Paid on or around March 5, 2027.
New clients onlyHold 15 monthsReimburses up to $150 transfer fee on $15,000+ transfers
Sign up and get this offer at QtradeSponsored
Affiliate link. FolioNorth may earn a commission if you open and fund an account, at no extra cost to you.
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- ·New clients only: earn up to $5,000 in cashback when you open and fund a new Qtrade account with code OFFER2026.
- ·Plus a $100 sign-up bonus for new clients who fund the new account with at least $25,000 within the first 30 days of opening it.
- ·If you open more than one eligible account, Qtrade can base the qualifying funds on the total new assets across all of them, and pays one cashback bonus and one sign-up bonus per client.
- ·Campaign period: accounts opened between September 1, 2026 and January 5, 2027.
- ·Deposit or transfer into the new account by February 5, 2027, then hold the net new deposits there until February 5, 2028.
- ·The cash back is paid on or around March 5, 2028. The $100 sign-up bonus is paid earlier, on or around March 5, 2027.
- ·Transfer-fee rebate: clients transferring in $15,000 or more can claim up to $150 per client, on top of the cashback.
- ·Qtrade trades stocks, ETFs and mutual funds at $0 commission.
Eligibility: New clients only, opening and funding a new Qtrade Direct Investing account with code OFFER2026.
Funding deadline: Feb 5, 2027
Expected payout: Mar 5, 2028
1.0% match, up to $20,000
Hold 24 monthsReimburses up to $150 transfer fee per account on $25,000+ transfers
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- ·1% match on net new transfers $25k-$2M (max bonus $20,000), paid in equal monthly installments over 24 months.
- ·You may withdraw up to 20% of the cumulative qualifying amount during the 24-month hold without clawback. Above 20% triggers proportional clawback of remaining payments.
- ·Wealthsimple reimburses one outgoing transfer-out fee per account when the qualifying transfer from that account is $25k or more.
- ·Bonus is taxable as interest income (T5).
- ·This is the standalone 1% offer, separate from the (Un)Real Deal home giveaway, which closed March 31, 2026.
Eligibility: Net-new transfers between $25,000 and $2,000,000.
TD Direct Investing
Self-Directed / Easy Trade (2027 Investing Campaign)
2% registered / 1% non-registered, up to $15,000
New and existing clientsHold 19 months2% registered / 1% non-registered, up to $15,000Reimburses up to $150 transfer fee per account on $25,000+ transfers
Rebate estimate assumes new TD Direct Investing accounts. Locked-in accounts and RDSPs do not qualify for the rebate.
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- ·2% on eligible registered transfers; 1% on non-registered transfers. Combined minimum $10,000; maximum reward $15,000.
- ·Register November 2, 2026-April 30, 2027. Fund by May 31, 2027; first transfer within 60 days of registration or that deadline, whichever comes first.
- ·Hold qualifying assets until May 31, 2028; payout by June 30, 2028. Keep accounts open and in good standing through payment.
- ·Registered: TFSA, RRSP/spousal RRSP, FHSA, LIRA/LRSP. Non-registered: Cash, Margin, Corporate. RIF, LIF, RESP, RDSP and other non-personal accounts are excluded. Platform restrictions apply.
- ·Withdrawals from eligible accounts reduce qualifying funding, including previously held assets. Market fluctuations do not. Internal TD transfers, recurring MCP/PAD funding and previously rewarded assets do not qualify.
- ·If enrolled in both campaigns, assets funded through November 30, 2026 follow the earlier Easy Cash terms; December 1, 2026-May 31, 2027 funding follows this campaign.
- ·Switch and Save rebates up to $150 per transfer, maximum four, require $25,000+ transferred to a new TD Direct Investing account and proof of fees. Locked-in accounts and RDSPs are excluded.
- ·Tax implications may apply; registered-plan rewards are not contributions.
Eligibility: Canadian residents of the age of majority with eligible accounts in good standing. Register using CASHBACK for a new account or the registration form for existing accounts.
Funding deadline: May 31, 2027
Expected payout: Jun 30, 2028
BMO InvestorLine
Self-Directed / adviceDirect (BMOREG)
2% registered / 1% non-registered, up to $20,000
New and existing clientsHold 29 months2% registered / 1% non-registered, up to $20,000
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- ·2% cash back on registered assets and 1% on non-registered assets, up to $20,000 combined. Minimum $10,000 in qualifying net new assets across eligible accounts.
- ·Opt in November 1, 2026-March 1, 2027. Use BMOREG when opening an account; existing clients can use the offer email or digital-channel banner. Existing clients must fund by March 1, 2027; new clients by March 31, 2027.
- ·Four equal installments are scheduled for October 31, 2027, April 30, 2028, October 31, 2028 and April 30, 2029. Their holding periods end September 30, 2027, March 31, 2028, September 30, 2028 and March 31, 2029. The calculator assumes the full reward and final hold.
- ·Eligible Self-Directed and adviceDirect accounts include Cash, Margin, Corporate, Sole Proprietorship, TFSA, RRSP/spousal RRSP, RRIF/spousal RRIF and FHSA. Check the terms for your registration; do not assume other registered plans qualify.
- ·Assets must come from outside BMO Wealth Management. Previously held BMO investment assets and Employee Share Ownership Plan transfers do not qualify.
- ·Keep at least $10,000 in qualifying net new assets throughout each holding period. The lowest qualifying balance in that or any earlier period determines the reward. Withdrawals across InvestorLine accounts reduce it; market fluctuations do not.
- ·With multiple qualifying accounts, a non-registered Cash or Margin account is required to receive the reward. Confirm payout arrangements with BMO.
- ·The separate $300,000 prize draw is not included in calculator returns. New clients investing $25,000+ can also receive six months of BMO Active Trader access, excluded from the cash estimate.
- ·No transfer-fee reimbursement is assumed. Confirm any separate reimbursement with BMO before transferring.
Eligibility: New and existing BMO InvestorLine clients who opt in during the promotion and fund eligible accounts with at least $10,000 from outside BMO Wealth Management.
Funding deadline: Mar 1, 2027
Expected payout: Apr 30, 2029
Scotia iTRADE
Self-Directed (Winter Special Offer)
3% registered / 1% non-registered, up to $15,000
New and existing clients; external transfersHold 28 months3% registered / 1% non-registered, up to $15,000Reimburses up to $150 transfer fee per account on $15,000+ transfers
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- ·External transfers earn 3% in registered accounts and 1% in non-registered accounts, up to $15,000 combined. Minimum $5,000; the cap is reached at $500,000 of registered transfers.
- ·Enrol by April 1, 2027: use WIN27 for a new account, or complete Scotia's online enrolment form for an existing account before transferring. Fund by May 31, 2027.
- ·Keep qualifying funds until March 31, 2028 for the first 40%, paid by April 28, 2028. Hold until February 28, 2029 for the remaining 60%, paid by March 30, 2029.
- ·The calculator assumes external transfers. Transfers from other Scotiabank Group companies, including Tangerine, earn 1% regardless of account type, capped at $6,000 within the same $15,000 combined limit.
- ·Registered accounts include TFSA, RRSP/spousal RRSP, FHSA, LIRA/LRSP, RIF, LIF and RESP. Personal and non-personal cash and margin accounts earn the non-registered rate.
- ·Withdrawals from any Scotia iTRADE account reduce qualifying funds, including required RIF withdrawals. Excess withdrawals from one account type reduce the other. Market movements, interest, dividends, RESP grants and account fees are excluded.
- ·Scotia may reimburse transfer-out fees up to $150 plus tax per account, up to 4 accounts within 6 months, on $15,000+ per account or $50,000+ combined. Submit a statement showing the charge.
- ·Cannot combine with StartRight, Affinity, ELV8M or ELV8P offers. Overlapping campaigns apply withdrawals to the most recent offer first.
- ·Scotia issues no tax slip for the reward; tax implications and reporting remain the client's responsibility.
Eligibility: New and existing Scotia iTRADE clients enrolling by April 1, 2027 and transferring at least $5,000 from outside the Scotiabank Group of Companies. Non-personal accounts require separate enrolment.
Funding deadline: May 31, 2027
Expected payout: Mar 30, 2029
No current promo
GET1000 registration closed November 2, 2026. This row lists Questrade's standing transfer-fee rebate. Check its promotions page for any replacement cash offer.
Reimburses up to $150 transfer fee per account
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- ·Transfer-fee reimbursement is separate from a cash bonus.
- ·Questrade still reimburses transfer-in fees up to $150 per account outside of a specific transfer-bonus promo.
- ·$0 commission on stock and ETF trades, buys and sells.
Eligibility: Any eligible account transfer to Questrade.
No current promo
No active Canadian transfer-bonus promo. IBKR competes on cost: currency conversion at about 0.002% with a $2 USD minimum.
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- ·Built for active traders, not buy-and-hold.
- ·If you regularly trade USD-listed securities, the FX-cost savings can dominate the bonus comparison. See /norberts-gambit for the side-by-side math.
- ·Minimum $2 USD per FX conversion; below roughly $136k CAD per conversion, the effective rate is higher than 0.002%.
Eligibility: No current Canadian transfer-bonus promo found.
Other brokerage promotions and promo codes
These offers may be useful, but their value depends on account actions, coupon usage, or trading activity.
Moomoo Canada
Self-Directed
- ·Official support terms list deposit rewards up to $300 in stock cash coupons and a 6% cash sweep introductory offer for 30 days on eligible new-client deposits.
- ·Coupon value depends on trade thresholds, product restrictions, account funding, and coupon usage before expiry.
- ·Shown as informational because the reward is coupon-based rather than unrestricted transfer cash.
Moomoo Canada
Transfer Promotion
- ·Official Moomoo support terms describe transfer-in coupon rewards, but the available terms are coupon-based and can depend on account value maintenance and coupon usage.
- ·Shown conservatively as informational until unrestricted cash-equivalent transfer terms are clear.
Compare the broker behind the bonus
A transfer offer is temporary. Compare ongoing commissions, FX costs, account types, and investing features before moving.
Compare two of the brokerages we track →Eligibility & fine print
- ·Most transfer bonuses require a new account or net-new assets: funds you already hold at that broker typically do not qualify.
- ·You must hold the assets for the required period without withdrawals above any allowed threshold, or the broker may claw back the bonus proportionally.
- ·Partial withdrawals during the hold period reduce the qualifying balance dollar-for-dollar at most brokers, lowering your final bonus.
- ·Registered means TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, LIRA, and similar tax-sheltered accounts; RESPs, RIFs, LIFs, and RDSPs are usually excluded from transfer promos.
- ·Promotions can change or be discontinued without notice. Always verify terms on the broker's official offer page before initiating a transfer.
- ·Transfer timelines vary: in-kind transfers (moving securities rather than selling and moving cash) can take 2–6 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a brokerage transfer bonus?+
A brokerage transfer bonus is an incentive for moving eligible money or investments from another financial institution to a new brokerage. Depending on the promotion, it may be a percentage match, a flat cash payment, or a tiered bonus. A transfer-fee reimbursement is a separate benefit that may offset the outgoing institution's charge. The qualifying balance usually has to be new to the brokerage, arrive by a stated deadline, and remain there for a required period. Some offers are limited to new clients or a first account; others allow existing clients to add assets from outside the institution. FolioNorth's transfer calculator compares the current offer data, including estimated transfer fees, eligible reimbursements, and holding periods. Read the brokerage's official conditions before you start a portfolio transfer.
Which broker has the best transfer bonus right now?+
There is no single best brokerage transfer offer for every investor. The result depends on the amount you move, whether it is registered or non-registered, the offer's minimum and cap, the transfer-out fee, and how long the assets must stay. A large headline bonus can be less useful if you miss the eligibility rules or have to keep money locked up for much longer. Enter both account amounts and your outgoing fee to compare the current transfer promotions by annualized net bonus. Use the result as a comparison point, not a recommendation: review FolioNorth's current offer listing, its verification date, and the brokerage's official terms for eligibility, deadlines, payment timing, and withdrawal rules.
What is a trading account offer?+
A trading account offer is a promotion connected to opening, funding, or using a self-directed trading account. It may provide a cash bonus, a deposit match, free trades, a commission rebate, coupons, or another reward. Some new trading account offers in Canada require only an initial deposit; others require a portfolio transfer, recurring deposits, a minimum number of trades, or another qualifying action. The account may also need to be a particular type, such as a TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, or non-registered account. These offers are different from the transfer bonuses that FolioNorth's calculator ranks by transfer amount, although one promotion can include both a new-account requirement and an incoming transfer. Always check the current FolioNorth offer data and official brokerage conditions before applying.
How do online brokerage account promotions work?+
Online brokerage promotions usually have several linked steps: apply during the offer period, enter a required promo or referral code, open an eligible self-directed account, fund it by the funding deadline, and complete any required trading or deposit activity. The reward may be paid after verification rather than immediately, and the terms may require the account or qualifying balance to remain open for a stated period. A promotion can also exclude internal transfers, existing assets, certain registrations, or clients who previously held an account. FolioNorth's offer data separates transfer-cash promotions from action-based and coupon rewards so they are not treated as equivalent. Confirm the current official terms, including how to register, before opening an account or moving money.
What is the difference between a new-account offer and a transfer offer?+
A new-account promotion generally rewards you for becoming a client and completing specified opening, deposit, or trading actions. It may accept a small initial deposit or require recurring deposits, and it may not require an existing investment portfolio. A brokerage transfer offer is normally tied to bringing eligible assets from another institution, often with a minimum transfer, a deadline, and a holding period. Some offers combine the two: you may need to open a new account and then transfer in external assets. The distinction matters because money already held at the brokerage, a transfer between accounts at the same institution, or a simple account opening may not satisfy a transfer offer. Read the eligibility wording rather than relying on the headline bonus.
Do I need to transfer an existing portfolio to qualify for a trading account promotion?+
Not always. Some online trading account promotions qualify a new client through an initial deposit, a pre-authorized deposit, a minimum number of trades, or another account action. Others specifically require a portfolio transfer or a deposit of assets from an outside institution. If a promotion says that the reward is based on a transfer, cash already sitting in another account at the same brokerage will usually not be treated as new money. FolioNorth's offer data identifies whether a promotion is transfer-based or action-based, but the official terms control. Before applying, confirm the required account type, minimum funding amount, eligible source of funds, registration deadline, and whether a code must be entered on the application.
Which account types qualify for Canadian brokerage offers?+
Common eligible account types include self-directed TFSAs, RRSPs, FHSAs, and non-registered cash or margin accounts, but no account type qualifies for every Canadian brokerage promotion. Each of these registrations can qualify for some offers when the receiving brokerage supports the same account type. Some terms also include spousal RRSPs or locked-in accounts such as LIRAs and LRSPs; others exclude them. RESPs, RRIFs or RIFs, LIFs, RDSPs, corporate accounts, trusts, and estate accounts are often excluded from individual offers, although the exact list varies. A brokerage may also set different rates or minimums for registered and non-registered assets. Check FolioNorth's eligibility summary and the official conditions for the precise registration, ownership, source-of-assets, partial-transfer, and existing-client rules before moving an account.
Can existing clients qualify for brokerage promotions?+
Sometimes. Many new-account offers are limited to people who have never been clients, who do not already have the relevant account, or who are opening a first eligible account. Some transfer promotions allow existing clients when they bring net-new assets from outside the brokerage, while other campaigns are restricted to new clients or a particular product. Existing clients may also be excluded if they have already claimed a similar offer, even if they open another account. Check FolioNorth's eligibility summary and the official conditions for definitions such as new client, new account, net-new assets, household, and one offer per person. Do not assume that an internal transfer or a new account number creates eligibility.
Can I combine a referral bonus with a trading account offer?+
Do not assume that a referral bonus and a brokerage account promotion can be combined. Some brokerages permit stacking, some require one specific code, and some say that the offer cannot be combined with another promotion. A referral link may also be treated as the promotion itself, so applying a second code could replace it or make the application ineligible. Before opening the account, read the stacking or non-combination language, confirm which code or link must be used, and save the terms. If the conditions are unclear, ask the brokerage to confirm in writing which reward will apply. FolioNorth does not treat a referral reward as an additional guaranteed bonus unless the published conditions support that conclusion.
Are there minimum funding requirements for trading account bonuses?+
Usually, but the requirement can be a deposit, a transfer, a balance, or an action rather than one universal dollar amount. A transfer offer may use a minimum eligible portfolio value, a tier threshold, or a percentage match that stops at a cap. A new-account offer may require a smaller initial deposit plus recurring deposits, completed trades, or funding of a second account. The qualifying amount may also differ between registered and non-registered accounts and may have to come from outside the brokerage. FolioNorth's offer data lists the transfer thresholds that the calculator can model; action-based promotions are kept separate because their value cannot be inferred from transfer size alone. Verify the funding source, deadline, and measurement date in the official terms.
How long must money or investments remain in the account?+
The required holding period is set by each promotion and can range from a short period to more than a year. FolioNorth's hold label is a current rounded duration calculated from the offer data: for a fixed-date promotion it reflects the time remaining until the published hold-until date, while other offers use their rolling hold period. Use that duration to compare promotions, but confirm the exact hold-until date in the brokerage's official conditions. During the hold, the brokerage may require the qualifying balance to stay above a threshold, the account to remain open and in good standing, or both. Check the official conditions for the payout date, permitted withdrawals, market-value rules, and whether the reward is paid in installments.
What happens if I withdraw funds before the required holding period?+
An early withdrawal can reduce the qualifying balance, lower a tier, delay payment, or cause the brokerage to claw back some or all of the bonus. The result depends on the wording: some terms allow a limited withdrawal, while others measure the balance net of all withdrawals until a fixed date. Closing the account, transferring assets out, falling out of good standing, or failing another condition can have the same effect. Do not treat a market loss, a dividend, or a trade as interchangeable with a withdrawal; the promotion may define each differently. Before taking money out, calculate the effect under the official terms and ask the brokerage how it will affect eligibility. A transfer fee reimbursement can have its own separate conditions.
Are cash bonuses, free trades, commission rebates, and transfer reimbursements the same thing?+
No. A cash bonus or deposit match pays money based on an eligible deposit, transfer, or account action. Free trades reduce the commission on specified transactions, while a commission rebate returns some trading charges and may require particular activity. A transfer-fee reimbursement repays all or part of the fee charged by the outgoing institution, often after you submit a statement or request and meet a minimum transfer. These rewards can have different eligibility, tax treatment, expiry dates, and holding rules, and they may not be combinable. FolioNorth's transfer calculator includes an eligible transfer-fee reimbursement where the offer data supports one; it does not assume that free trades, coupons, or action rewards are equivalent cash.
How should investors compare trading account offers?+
Start with eligibility, not the advertised reward. Check whether you qualify as a new or existing client, which account registrations are accepted, whether funding must come from outside the brokerage, and whether a code or referral link is required. Then compare the realistic value after any transfer fee, the minimum needed to earn it, the maximum bonus, the holding period, the payout timing, and the consequences of withdrawing early. For a self-directed trading account, also consider ongoing commissions, account fees, foreign-exchange costs, available investments, and service quality. A transfer bonus and a new-account promotion should be compared on the same basis. Use FolioNorth's current offer data as a starting point, then verify the brokerage's official conditions before acting.
Is the largest advertised brokerage bonus always the best offer?+
No. The largest headline brokerage bonus may require a much larger portfolio, a particular account, a long holding period, or a deadline you cannot meet. A capped percentage match may be less valuable for a smaller transfer than a lower-looking flat or tiered reward. The cost of an outgoing transfer, the chance of losing a partial bonus after a withdrawal, taxes, trading commissions, and foreign-exchange costs can also change the result. Compare the amount you can actually qualify for, the net value after eligible fees, and the time your money is committed. FolioNorth ranks transfer-cash offers by annualized net bonus for the amounts entered; that comparison does not decide whether a brokerage is right for your broader investing needs.
Do I need a promo code for a brokerage transfer bonus?+
Some investment transfer bonuses require a promo code on the account application, while others identify eligible clients automatically or use a registration form. If a code is required, enter it exactly as shown before submitting the application; many terms do not allow a code to be added later. A code can also be tied to a particular campaign, account type, client status, or application date. FolioNorth's offer data displays a code when the current promotion includes one, but the brokerage's official conditions control if the terms change. Save a copy of the submitted application and registration confirmation. A referral link, promo code, and transfer-fee reimbursement request may each be separate steps.
Are brokerage transfer bonuses taxable in Canada?+
A cash payment connected to a brokerage transfer or account-opening promotion may be taxable in Canada, but the treatment depends on the reward, account, and the brokerage's reporting. Moving investments between institutions does not by itself make a bonus tax-free, and depositing the payment into a registered account does not automatically settle its treatment. Transfer-fee reimbursements, free trades, commission rebates, and coupons may be treated differently from unrestricted cash. FolioNorth's current offer data flags tax information where the published conditions state it, including offers that identify cash back as taxable, but that information is not a complete tax ruling for every investor. Keep the brokerage statement and any tax slip, and ask a qualified Canadian tax professional how to report the specific reward. FolioNorth's calculator shows pre-tax figures only and does not provide tax advice.
How does an investment account transfer work?+
You normally open or identify an eligible account at the receiving brokerage, request a transfer from that institution, and provide the details of the account you are moving. The receiving brokerage or its transfer system then sends instructions to the current institution, which verifies the account and releases the assets. You choose whether the transfer is in kind, where supported, or in cash. Keep the old account open until the transfer is complete, and retain statements, transfer receipts, and any fee invoice needed for reimbursement. The offer's registration, funding, and hold deadlines still apply even if the institutions take time to process the paperwork. Confirm that the receiving account supports every security and registration before submitting the request.
What is an in-kind transfer?+
An in-kind transfer moves eligible securities, such as stocks or ETFs, from one brokerage account to another without first selling them into cash. It can help an investor maintain market exposure and avoid an unnecessary sale in a non-registered account, but it is not always available for every security or account. Fractional shares, proprietary funds, options, restricted securities, and unsupported currencies may need to be sold or handled separately. The receiving brokerage may also have its own list of eligible holdings. An in-kind transfer can take weeks, and the positions may be unavailable for trading while the institutions reconcile them. Confirm the receiving account, security eligibility, cost-basis handling, and any transfer fee before relying on an in-kind portfolio transfer for a promotion.
What is a cash transfer?+
A cash transfer moves money rather than the securities themselves. The outgoing institution may sell investments first, or you may sell them before requesting the transfer, and the receiving brokerage deposits the resulting cash into the eligible account. This can be simpler when the new brokerage does not support a holding, but selling can create a taxable disposition in a non-registered account, change your market exposure, and create a spread or trading cost. A cash transfer also does not automatically satisfy a promotion unless the terms accept cash as an eligible deposit. Confirm the currency, account registration, minimum amount, funding deadline, and whether the brokerage requires the cash to be newly deposited from outside the institution.
Can a TFSA be transferred without affecting contribution room?+
A direct institution-to-institution TFSA transfer is generally designed to preserve the account's tax status and not use new TFSA contribution room. The receiving brokerage and the existing institution must process it as a qualifying TFSA transfer. If you withdraw the money yourself and later deposit it into another TFSA, the deposit is normally treated as a new contribution and can create an over-contribution before the withdrawn amount is restored in a later year. That can lead to tax and reporting problems. Do not use a regular withdrawal-and-redeposit route to meet a transfer offer unless you have confirmed the consequences. Ask both institutions which transfer form and process apply, and check the promotion's TFSA eligibility separately.
Can an RRSP or FHSA be transferred directly?+
Often, yes, when the receiving brokerage supports the same registration and the institutions complete the transfer directly. A direct RRSP transfer is commonly used to avoid treating the amount as a personal withdrawal. FHSA transfers have more specific eligibility and destination rules, so confirm that both institutions support the requested FHSA-to-FHSA transfer and that the promotion accepts it. Do not withdraw registered funds to a personal bank account and redeposit them on the assumption that it is equivalent; tax, contribution, and reporting consequences can differ. Ask the receiving brokerage which form, account number, and securities are accepted, then verify the offer's deadline, minimum, and hold requirement. For a material transfer, confirm the tax treatment with the brokerage or a qualified adviser.
Can only part of an investment account be transferred?+
A partial transfer is often possible, but the account agreement and promotion determine whether it qualifies. You may transfer selected securities, a dollar amount, or an entire account, subject to the receiving brokerage's supported holdings and the outgoing institution's process. A partial portfolio transfer still has to meet the offer's minimum, source-of-assets, and registration requirements. A fee reimbursement may be measured per account or against the combined transfer, and the calculator treats each registered or non-registered input as one account bucket rather than modelling every institution's form. Moving only part of an account can also leave a residual account fee or affect a bonus if the remaining balance falls below a threshold. Confirm the exact qualifying balance and hold calculation before submitting instructions.
Can Canadian and US-listed stocks or ETFs be transferred?+
Sometimes. Many self-directed brokerages support common Canadian- and US-listed stocks or ETFs, but transferability depends on the security, currency, account registration, and receiving institution. A brokerage may reject fractional shares, proprietary funds, certain options, restricted securities, or a holding it does not custody. A US-listed position may also need to move into the correct currency side of the account. If a security cannot move in kind, the institutions may require a sale or cash transfer, which can affect timing, market exposure, and taxes in a non-registered account. Ask the receiving brokerage for a security-by-security confirmation, including cost-basis treatment, before assuming that a mixed Canadian and US portfolio satisfies a transfer promotion.
How long does a brokerage transfer take?+
The timeline depends on the account type, transfer method, securities, paperwork, and both institutions' processing queues. FolioNorth describes in-kind transfers as commonly taking roughly 2–6 weeks, and unsupported positions or missing information can make them longer. A cash transfer may follow a different process and is not automatically faster. Start early enough to meet the offer's registration and funding deadlines, especially when the promotion measures the date assets arrive rather than the date you submit the request. Keep the transfer confirmation and monitor both accounts. The official offer terms determine whether an asset that arrives late still qualifies; a promotion's headline expiry date is not a guarantee of an extension.
What happens when a brokerage transfer is delayed?+
First, confirm whether the delay is at the outgoing institution, the receiving brokerage, the transfer system, or because a security or form needs attention. Ask for a case number, the expected completion date, and written confirmation of which date the promotion uses for eligibility. A delayed transfer may miss a registration or funding deadline, and you should not assume that the brokerage will honour the bonus automatically. Contact the receiving brokerage before the deadline, provide the transfer receipt, and ask whether it can document an exception or extension under the offer terms. Do not cancel and restart the transfer without understanding the effect on timing, fees, and market exposure. Keep statements showing when the request was submitted and when the assets arrived.
How do transfer fee reimbursements work?+
A transfer-fee reimbursement is separate from the investment transfer bonus. The receiving brokerage may repay the outgoing institution's transfer-out fee up to a cap when the transfer meets a minimum amount, account, or client-level condition. Some reimbursements are automatic; others require you to submit a statement showing the charge, an account number, or a request within a stated period. The minimum may apply per account or to the combined portfolio, and locked-in or excluded accounts may not qualify even when the transfer bonus does. FolioNorth's transfer calculator includes a reimbursement only where the current offer data supports the amount and threshold, and subtracts any unreimbursed fee from the estimated net result. Check the official process before starting the transfer and keep the fee invoice.
Can an investor earn more than one transfer bonus?+
Possibly, but not automatically. Different brokerages may each have a promotion, yet their terms can restrict the source of assets, require new money, limit one reward per client or household, or prohibit combining campaigns. The same dollars or securities cannot safely be assumed to qualify for multiple bonuses, and moving assets again during a holding period can trigger a clawback. Some investors may be able to split a portfolio between offers if each brokerage's written conditions permit it, but that adds transfer fees, paperwork, timing risk, and possibly different account costs. Compare the net value and holding obligations for each route, and obtain confirmation from each brokerage before relying on two investment transfer bonuses.
Tax disclaimer
Cash bonuses received from a brokerage may be taxable as income. We do not show after-tax figures. Speak to a qualified accountant about how a transfer bonus affects your tax situation.