Payday Loans by Province in Canada

Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia have the highest concentration of licensed payday lenders due to their large populations. However, all 13 provinces and territories have access to FCAC-regulated lenders through online applications, regardless of location.

Yes. Most Canadian lenders offer nationwide service through online applications. You don't need to visit a physical branch. As long as you have a bank account, valid ID, and meet basic requirements (18+, employed/income), you can apply from anywhere in Canada and receive funds via Interac e-Transfer or direct deposit.

Yes. Each province sets its own maximum cost of borrowing for payday loans. For example, Ontario and British Columbia cap costs at $15 per $100 borrowed (391% APR), while Manitoba and Saskatchewan allow up to $17 per $100 (442% APR). Quebec caps all consumer loans at 35% APR. Check your province's regulator for exact rates.

Approval times are typically 15 minutes to 2 hours for online applications during business hours (9 AM - 5 PM Mon-Fri) across all provinces. Funds usually arrive same-day via Interac e-Transfer if you apply before 2 PM EST/PST. Weekend applications are processed on the next business day.

The top 3 provinces by population and lending activity are: (1) Ontario (14.8M population) - largest market with most lenders regulated by FSRA, (2) Quebec (8.6M) - strict 35% APR cap regulated by AMF, and (3) British Columbia (5.2M) - regulated by BCFSA with $15 per $100 cost cap. All provinces have full access to FCAC-regulated online lenders.

No. While Ontario has the largest lending market, provincial regulations determine costs, not your location within a province. Online lending has standardized rates within each province. A borrower in rural Saskatchewan pays the same rate as someone in Regina—your credit score and income determine approval, not your specific address.

Approval speed is identical across all provinces when applying online (15-60 minutes). Ontario, Quebec, and BC may have more physical branch locations for in-person applications, but online approvals are available to all 13 provinces and territories. The only variable is bank processing time for fund transfers.

Your application is tied to your registered address (where your ID shows residence), not where you physically apply from. You can apply online from any location in Canada, but the loan is subject to the regulations of your province of residence. If you've moved, update your ID first or provide proof of new address to the lender.

Basic requirements are similar across Canada: Canadian ID or equivalent, proof of income, active bank account, and affordability assessment. However, each province has different: (1) maximum loan amounts, (2) cost caps, (3) cooling-off periods, (4) rollover policies. Check your provincial regulator's website for specific rules.

Use our province search to find all FCAC-regulated lenders available in your area. Click on your province to see: (1) licensed lenders with physical branches, (2) online-only lenders serving your province, (3) provincial cost caps and regulations, (4) maximum loan amounts and terms. All lenders listed are verified and licensed by provincial regulators.