Payday loans are small, high-interest loans designed to cover unforeseen emergency expenses between paycheques. These loans are offered through businesses rather than banks, and can be a quick and easy solution to make ends meet – so long as you can pay them off by the due date. But while they’re convenient and easy to get, they’re expensive and risky.
We’ve designed this guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of cash advance payday loans in Saskatchewan, so that you have as much information as possible to make an informed decision before you sign on the dotted line.
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loans
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for borrowing over a continued period of time and are expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing. View payday costs and regulations by province here. 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.
24-hour application process with funding on the spot for in-person payday loan approvals, and up to 1 business day to e-Transfer for online applications
Maximum borrowing costs of payday loans per province
Always refer to your contract for exact repayment amounts and costs.
Province
Max. cost of borrowing a $100 payday loan
Cooling off period to cancel loan
Max. penalty for returned cheque or pre-authorized debit
Alberta
$15
2 business days
$25
British Columbia
$15
2 business days
$20
Manitoba
$17
48 hours excluding Sundays and holidays
$20
New Brunswick
$15
48 hours excluding Sundays and holidays
$20
Newfoundland and Labrador
$14
2 business days
$20
Nova Scotia
$15
Next business day (2 days for online loans)
$40 (default penalty)
Ontario
$15
2 business days
$25
Prince Edward Island
$15
2 business days
N/A
Quebec
Limit of 35% AIR
N/A
N/A
Saskatchewan
$17
Next business day
$25
Can I get payday loans in Saskatchewan?
Yes, payday loans are legal in Saskatchewan. You can get a payday loan in Winnipeg at either physical store locations or through a reputable online payday loan provider like the ones listed above. Each province has its own rules that govern payday loans. In Saskatchewan, the Payday Loans Act helps protect those who take out payday loans.
Payday loan rules in Saskatchewan
You can’t be charged more than $17 in fees for every $100 borrowed.
A lender can charge additional fees if you don’t pay your loan by the due date.
The maximum amount you can borrow is $1,500.
You can’t borrow more than 50% of your net income.
Loans must be paid off within 62 days.
You can’t get a new loan until you pay off your first one.
Lenders cannot ask you to sign a form that transfers your wages directly to them.
Roll-over loans are not allowed. This means you can’t roll over what you owe into a second payday loan.
Should you change your mind (even without a reason) and want to cancel your payday loan, you have until the next business day to do so without facing a penalty.
How much do payday loans in Saskatchewan cost?
Payday loan lenders in Saskatchewan can charge up to $17 in fees for every $100 borrowed. Payday lenders aren’t allowed to give borrowers more than 50% of their net paycheque.
Example: If your previous paycheque is determined to be $1,000, the most you can borrow is $500. If you take out a 14 day payday loan in Saskatchewan from a lender like Cash Money, for example, the chart below shows you the maximum you can be charged.
Net Pay
Max loan
Max charge
Cost of interest
Repayment Amount
APR (%)
$1,000
$500
$17 per $100
$85
$585
517%
Can I get e-transfer payday loans in Saskatchewan?
Yes, many payday loan lenders in Saskatchewan offer e-transfer funding. These providers also typically allow you to apply entirely online, which means the full process from start to finish can sometimes be completed within minutes. Some example lenders offering e-transfer payday loans in Saskatchewan are Cash Money and GoDay.
Can I get online payday loans in Saskatchewan with no credit check?
Yes, it is possible to get online payday loans in Saskatchewan with no credit check from a selection of payday lenders. These lenders will instead be more interested in you having:
An active chequing account
A permanent address (and proof of it)
Proof of three months of continuous income (either employment or benefits)
The lenient criteria for no credit check payday loans in Saskatchewan can be easy to meet. However, some of these lenders might be predatory. That’s why it’s important to do your research and use a reputable lender – whether they do a credit check or not.
Yes, payday loans are likely going to be the fastest option if you’re looking for instant loans in Saskatchewan. Some payday loan providers have a web-based application process with automated approval available 24/7. Many also offer e-transfer payday loans within minutes of approval. Examples of payday lenders offering instant loans in Saskatchewan include Cash Money and Loan Express.
How can I tell if a payday loan lender in Saskatchewan is legit?
On top of restrictions on fees and how much you can borrow, lenders offering payday loans in Saskatchewan have to abide by other regulations. Look for the following signs to make sure you’re working with a legit lender.
The lender displays a Saskatchewan licence number. Lenders in Saskatchewan are required by law to be licensed by the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority. They should also display their license number online and at all physical locations.
The lender displays fees. Lenders must display signs on the premises outlining the rates and fees they charge.
No roll-over loans. Lenders are unable to “roll-over”, refinance or extend your loan. This means you cannot pay off your first payday loan with a second payday loan.
It provides same-language contracts. This means that if you and your lender communicate in English, your contract must be in English. If it’s French, your contract must also be in French.
It follows consumer protection laws. Stay away from lenders who charge more than $17 in fees per $100 borrowed.
Watch out for unlicensed payday loan lenders in Saskatchewan
Before you take out in-person or online payday loans in Saskatchewan, make sure the lender is fully licensed to operate there. Read your contract carefully to avoid issues later on. When taking out payday loans in Saskatchewan, watch out for these red flags to avoid potential scammers:
Illegally high interest rates or fees. It’s common for online lenders to find loopholes to get around maximum interest rates set by the province. Make sure to avoid any company that is charging over $17 per $100 borrowed.
Identity theft. Online lenders have been known to sell clients’ personal and banking information to third-parties, putting them at risk of identity theft or a hacked bank account. Be careful about giving out you personal information.
Funds taken from your bank account without your permission. Some online or unlicensed lenders resort to illegal ways to seek repayment from borrowers. Try to pay back your loan on time to avoid having to deal with unethical collection methods.
How to file a complaint against a payday loan lender in Saskatchewan
You can directly file a complaint with Saskatchewan’s Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority by filling out an online form or by calling them at 306-787-5645. The organization will typically conduct an investigation if they believe that a payday loan company has breached Saskatchewan’s consumer protection laws.
If there is evidence of malpractice, they can take legal action against the business. This includes revoking its license, slapping it with a penalty and even filing a civil action to get a settlement for customers if the lender is facing numerous complaints.
Alternatives to payday loans in Saskatchewan
Payday loans in Saskatchewan are an expensive form of debt that should be avoided whenever possible. There are other short-term loan options that are much cheaper like assistance programs, a credit card cash advance, a personal loan or borrowing money from family or friends. The table below shows the fees on a payday loan compared to the typical costs of a credit card or a line of credit.
Loan Amount (over 2 weeks)
Payday loan fee
Credit card fee (23%)
Line of Credit fee (7% + $5)
$300
$51
$6.15
$5.81
$600
$102
$12.29
$11.62
$900
$153
$18.44
$17.43
$1,200
$204
$24.59
$23.24
$1,500
$255
$30.74
$29.05
The only time you should take out a payday loan in Saskatchewan is when you know you can repay the full amount by the required date. Budget your repayments accordingly. If you default on your loan or the loan goes into collections, you’ll receive a negative mark on your credit report that can stay there for up to 6 years.
Find out more about some payday loan alternatives and debt assistance services available in Saskatchewan below.
Saskatchewan assistance programs
Saskatchewan has a number of programs that can provide some much-needed relief for residents and newcomers who are struggling to make ends meet.
The Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) provides income assistance to families and individuals who, for various reasons – including disability, illness, low income or unemployment – cannot meet their basic living costs.
Discounted bus pass program allows people with lower-incomes access to quality public transportation, in order to work and attend community activities.
Family Health Benefits offers support for health costs like eye exams, dental work, prescription drugs and other incidentals to those living below a certain income threshold.
Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) provides a general living allowance to people looking for work to cover the costs of food, clothing, shelter and transportation.
Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) is an income support program for people with significant and enduring disabilities.
Local financial institutions
Some credit unions and local banks may offer less expensive small-dollar financing with longer repayment terms. You might want to look into credit builder loans too, which come in small amounts and can help you improve your credit score by reporting every on-time repayment you make to credit bureaus. You also typically have more time to pay it off compared to payday loans in Saskatchewan.
Credit counselling
If you feel like you’re drowning in debt and you’re not making any headway on paying your bills down, it might be time to look into a credit counselling program. The Credit Counselling Society of Saskatchewan is a good place to start if you need help with budgeting and consolidating your debts.
If you’re interested in applying for a payday loan in Saskatchewan, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
Be at least 19 years old
Provide proof of 3 months of continuous employment
Give proof of address (e.g., they can ask to see a utility bill)
Have an active chequing account
To complete your application successfully, prepare to submit some basic information:
Personal details, such as your name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number and a valid form of ID
Contact details, such as your residential address, email address and phone number
Details about your employment and income
Bottom line
If you need access to emergency cash in the short-term, consider the risks and know your rights before heading to your nearest payday lender. Payday loans in Saskatchewan are notoriously expensive and often throw borrowers into a continuous cycle of debt – so take time to find the best deal or look into cheaper short-term financing alternatives. Be wary of unlicensed lenders and pay back your loan on time to avoid paying additional fees or interest. Read our full guide to payday loans to learn more.
Have more questions about payday loans in Saskatchewan?
You can only take out one payday loan in Saskatchewan at a time for a maximum of $1,500.
In accordance with Saskatchewan law, roll-overs are prohibited. This means you can't use a second payday loan to pay off your first payday loan.
You can file a complaint with Saskatchewan's Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority by filling out an online form or calling them at 306-787-5645. They will act on your behalf to conduct an investigation into the payday loan business if they suspect any wrongdoing.
No, according to federal law in Canada, you can't be arrested for unpaid debt. Plus, it's illegal for a debt collector to threaten you with jail time. So if your lender attempts this, don't feel threatened to comply. You may even be able to report the lender to Saskatchewan's Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority for illegal practices.
To learn more about what can happen if you default on a payday loan, like whether or not a lender can sue you, read our full guide here.
Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog.
Borrowing $100 can be a quick and easy process. This guide covers how you can get a small loan in Canada, including benefits, drawbacks and eligibility requirements.
Read our guide to payday loan regulations in your province or territory.
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