Emergency loans in Canada: Funds in 1-24 hours

Get money fast to cover your urgent expenses.

If you’re facing an emergency and need to borrow money fast, you can get a payday loan, cash advance or personal loan online. Lenders of these loans may charge high rates or fees, but they can send cash to your bank account within minutes.

Payday loans and cash advances are faster and easier to get. You can get them with bad credit, you don’t need to be employed, and many lenders offer instant approval and funding 24/7.

Compare fast providers of emergency loans in Canada to learn which one might be best for your situation.

Compare emergency personal loans in Canada

Get your money as soon as the same or next business day with these quick personal loans. You can apply with good or bad credit.

Loan providerInterest rateLoan amountLoan termKey features
Spring Financial

Personal Loan

9.99% - 35%$500 – $35,0006 - 84 monthsSame-day approval and funding, accepts bad creditGo to site
Loans Canada

Personal Loan

8.99% - 35.00%$500 – $50,0004 - 60 monthsInstant pre-approval, accepts bad creditGo to site
LoanConnect

Personal Loan

8.99% - 35.00% $500 – $2,5009 - 60 monthsInstant pre-approval, accepts bad credit, no credit check loan availableGo to site

Green Loans

Personal Loan

22.00% - 35.00% + broker fee$100 – $1,0003 - 12 monthsSame day to next day funding, no credit check requiredGo to site

Compare emergency cash advances in Canada

The emergency cash providers below allow you to get a small instant loan with no credit checks involved. You pay no interest on these loans, but you may pay a monthly fee.

Apply online within minutes and get your money instantly for a fee.

Loan providerInterest rateLoan amountLoan termKey features

Koho logo

Cash Advance

0% + monthly fee from $2$20 – $250FlexibleInstant loan, no income or job requirements, no credit checkGo to site
Nyble

Credit Line

0%$30 – $25031 days, extendableInstant loans 24/7 with a premium membership, no credit checkGo to site

Bree

Early Pay

0%$20 – $500Next pay cycle (90 days max)Instant approval and funding 24/7 with a membership, no credit checkGo to site
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loans
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for long-term borrowing, with up to $14 charged per $100 borrowed. If you're experiencing financial hardship, consider calling 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.

Compare emergency payday loans

Another type of loan to consider is a payday loan, which provides instant approval and funding. But they are extremely expensive and are only suitable as a last resort.

Apply online within minutes.

Payday loanInterest rateLoan amountLoan termKey features
iCash

Payday Loan

$14 per $100 borrowed$100 – $1,5007 - 62 daysInstant loans 24/7, accepts bad creditGo to site
Wagepay

Payday Loan

$14 per $100 borrowed$100 – $1,500Up to 62 daysInstant approval, no credit check, must have employment incomeGo to site
Cashco

Payday Loan

$14 per $100 borrowed$50 – $1,500Up to 62 daysInstant approval, accepts bad credit
Venue Financial Centres

Payday Loan

$14 per $100 borrowed$50 – $1,500Up to 62 daysInstant loans, bad credit OK, BC only

Key takeaways

  • Popular online providers of emergency loans in Canada include Spring Financial, Loans Canada, iCash, KOHO and Nyble.
  • The three main types of emergency loans are personal loans, cash advances and payday loans. Each type offers varying approval times, eligibility criteria and costs. ​
  • Emergency loans provide instant or same-day access to money, often with simple online applications and lenient credit requirements. But they may come with high interest rates or fees, potentially leading to a cycle of debt if not managed responsibly.
  • Emergency loans are accessible even to those with bad credit, but eligibility often depends on factors like income and existing debts.

Learn more about emergency personal loans

If you’re not sure which lender is right for you, below is a breakdown of lenders offering quick emergency loans in Canada, including who they are, how fast you can get their loan and what their requirements are.

Spring Logo

1. Spring Financial

Spring Financial is a major alternative lender that offers emergency personal loans online. It’s been in business since 2014 and is based in Vancouver, BC.

How fast you can get it: Get an offer within minutes after you apply and receive your money on the same or next day.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 9.99% - 35%
  • Loan amount: $500 – $35,000
  • Loan term: 6 - 84 months
  • Minimum income: $2,000/month
  • Incomes it accepts: Employment
  • Minimum credit score: 550
  • Serviced provinces: All of Canada
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Approval within 15 to 30 minutes
  • Credit check required: Yes

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Have your phone ready. You’ll get a phone call from a Spring representative right after you apply.
  • Prepare your information. Have your banking details, employment information and pay stubs ready.

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Loans Canada

2. Loans Canada

Launched in 2012, Loans Canada is headquartered in Toronto. As a loan search platform, Loans Canada has the largest lender network in Canada. The Loans Canada process is simple: Fill out one application and get matched with multiple lenders that provide emergency loans. It’s also possible to get urgent loans for bad credit from lenders on Loans Canada’s platform.

How fast you can get it: Within 24 to 48 hours.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 8.99% - 35.00%
  • Loan amount: $500 – $50,000
  • Loan term: 4 - 60 months
  • Minimum income: $1,000/month
  • Incomes it accepts: Varies by lender
  • Minimum credit score: 300
  • Serviced provinces: All of Canada
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Not available. You can get instant pre-approval, but the lender you choose will need to verify your income and identity before giving approval.
  • Credit check required: Some of the lenders you’re matched with may check your credit. You’ll need to withdraw your consent if you don’t want this.

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Be ready to answer your phone. Once you apply, an agent will contact you. Be prepared to answer the call if you want a faster application process.
  • Send your documents in quickly. To speed up the approval process, get the required documents ready to send to the agent.

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Loan Connect logo

3. LoanConnect

LoanConnect is a BBB-accredited business that was founded in 2016 and operates out of London, Ontario. As a loan comparison platform, LoansConnect helps match you with loan offers based on your unique profile. Get pre-approved for up to $60,000.

How fast you can get it: Within 24 to 48 hours.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 8.99% - 35.00%
  • Loan amount: $500 – $60,000
  • Loan term: 3 - 120 months
  • Minimum income: No min. income
  • Incomes it accepts: Varies by lender
  • Minimum credit score: 300
  • Serviced provinces: All provinces
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Not available. You can get instant pre-approval, but the lender you choose will need to verify your income and identity before giving full approval.
  • Credit check required: You can find out your matches without a credit check, but the lender you choose may check your credit history.

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Have your documents ready. Have your ID, direct deposit information, bank statement, most recent pay stubs and proof of address ready.

Go to site

Green Loans

4. Green Loans

Green Loans is an alternative lender that offers quick no credit check loans.

How fast you can get it: You can get funding as soon as the same or next day.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 22.00% - 35.00% + broker fee
  • Loan amount: $100 – $1,000
  • Loan term: 3 - 12 months
  • Minimum income: $1,200
  • Incomes it accepts: Many types, such as government disability, private disability, private pension, CPP, OAS, welfare, CCB and workers' compensation
  • Minimum credit score: 300
  • Serviced provinces: Available in all provinces except Manitoba
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Make sure you have direct deposit. Green Loans can only verify your income if it’s deposited directly into your bank account.
  • Verify your bank account. Provide access to your bank statement via instant bank verification.

[/fin_hide]

What about cash advance apps?

Cash advances are faster than personal loans. Learn more about popular cash advance apps in Canada.

Koho logo

1. KOHO

KOHO is an established fintech company that offers various products and services. Its KOHO Cover allows KOHO account holders to receive emergency funding with no job or income required.

How fast you can get it: Once you have a KOHO account, you can access its cash advance instantly.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 0% interest with a subscription fee starting at $2/month
  • Loan amount: $20 – $250
  • Loan term: Flexible
  • Minimum income: No min. income
  • Incomes it accepts: No income requirements
  • Minimum credit score: None
  • Serviced provinces: All provinces and territories
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Sign up for a KOHO account in the morning. Once you have an account, you can get instant access to its cash advance. You’ll only be approved for a small amount first.
  • Set up direct deposit. You need this in order for your KOHO account to be free. Otherwise, a monthly fee applies.

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Nyble logo

2. Nyble

Nyble is a relatively new lender in Canada that provides emergency cash loans of up to $250 through its app.

How fast you can get it: 1-30 minutes with a paid membership or 1-3 business days with a free membership.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 0%
  • Loan amount: $30 – $250
  • Loan term: 31 days, extendable
  • Minimum income: $1,000/month
  • Incomes it accepts: Any type, but prefers employment income
  • Minimum credit score: None
  • Serviced provinces: All provinces and territories
  • Accepts bad credit: Potentially
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • No NSF transactions. Nyble is less likely to approve you if there are non-sufficient funds (NSF) charges in your bank account within the last 90 days.
  • Connect your bank account. You’ll need to authorize Nyble to gain view-only access. This allows them to verify your income and identity.

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Bree logo

3. Bree

Bree offers an emergency cash advance with no interest. There’s a $2.99 monthly subscription fee plus a small optional fee for express loan funding.

How fast you can get it: Receive funds within 5 minutes with express delivery (the fee is based on the advance amount) and within 1 to 3 business days for standard delivery.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: 0%
  • Loan amount: $20 – $500
  • Loan term: Next pay cycle (90 days max)
  • Minimum income: Regular income
  • Incomes it accepts: Any valid recurring income
  • Minimum credit score: None
  • Serviced provinces: All provinces and territories
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Connect your bank account. You’ll need to go through bank verification so Bree can verify your income and identity.
  • Income paid by direct deposit. To qualify, your income must be regularly paid into your account by direct deposit.

Go to site

A last resort for emergencies: Payday loans

iCash logo

1. iCash

iCash provides payday loans to people looking for urgent loans with bad credit. It’s one of the largest and most popular lenders in this space. Since 2014, iCash has provided emergency payday loans to more than one million customers across Canada. As a payday lender, iCash provides 24/7 online customer support, which is a feature most payday lenders in Canada do not offer.

How fast you can get it: Get this loan online within 30 to 60 minutes of applying, 24/7, via Interac e-Transfer.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: $14 per $100 borrowed
  • Loan amount: $100 – $1,500
  • Loan term: 7 - 62 days
  • Minimum income: $800/month
  • Incomes it accepts: Employment and other types, including EI, child tax, ODSP, AISH, provincial disability, CPP, OAS and social assistance
  • Minimum credit score: 300
  • Serviced provinces: BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
  • Instant approval: Yes, offers instant emergency loans
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Credit check required: Yes

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Prepare a reference. You can ask a family member or friend for a reference.
  • Create an online account. Input your personal information and validate it with your phone number.

Go to site

Wagepay

2. Wagepay

Wagepay is a fairly new payday lender in Canada. It first started in Australia, where it has built a reputation for fast emergency loans.

How fast you can get it: Get funded in a matter of minutes 24/7.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: $14 per $100 borrowed
  • Loan amount: $100 – $1,500
  • Loan term: Up to 62 days
  • Minimum income: Min. $400/week income
  • Incomes it accepts: Employment
  • Minimum credit score: 300
  • Serviced provinces: BC and ON
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Be prepared to connect your bank account. Instead of sending documents, you’ll provide Wagepay with a snapshot of your bank statements via bank verification.
  • Apply elsewhere if you don’t have a job. Unlike other payday lenders, such as iCash, Wagepay only accepts employment income.

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Cashco

3. Cashco

Cashco is an established lender and recently entered the payday loan market. It offers fast payday loans with no credit check required.

How fast you can get it: You can get instant approval and funding within minutes.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: $14 per $100 borrowed
  • Loan amount: $50 – $1,500
  • Loan term: Up to 62 days
  • Minimum income: No minimum income
  • Incomes it accepts: Many types, such as employment, government disability, private disability, private pension, CPP, OAS, CCB, workers' compensation
  • Minimum credit score: None
  • Serviced provinces: AB, BC and SK
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Be prepared to connect your bank account. Connect your bank account via Flinks for instant approval.

Venue Financial

4. Venue Financial Centres

Venue is a licensed lender offering payday loans in BC. It is very flexible with income requirements, so you can apply using non-employment income.

How fast you can get it: You can get instant approval and e-Transfer funding within minutes.

Loan details

  • Interest rate: $14 per $100 borrowed
  • Loan amount: $50 – $1,500
  • Loan term: Up to 62 days
  • Minimum income: None
  • Incomes it accepts: Employment income, government disability, private disability, private pension, CPP, OAS, CCB, workers' compensation
  • Minimum credit score: None
  • Serviced provinces: BC
  • Accepts bad credit: Yes
  • Instant approval: Yes
  • Credit check required: No

Tips to get your loan fast

  • Be prepared to connect your bank account. Connect your bank account via Flinks for instant approval.

Pros and cons of urgent loans in Canada

Pros

  • Easy application. Lenders of emergency loans have simple applications that you can complete online within minutes.
  • Money is delivered quickly. You can get your loan within minutes of submitting your contract if the lender offers e-Transfer funding.
  • Bad credit is OK. Lenders of urgent loans often have lenient eligibility requirements.

Cons

  • Can be incredibly expensive. Emergency payday loans come with exorbitant fees. Expect to pay $14 for every $100 borrowed.
  • Small amounts only. Larger amounts require more time for the lender to review your application, since they would be taking on a bigger risk.
  • Short terms. If you get a payday loan, you’ll need to repay your loan by your next payday. If you don’t, you could incur fees.
  • Chance of fraudulent lenders. You could run into a fraudulent or predatory lender online. Payday lenders who are legit must be licensed to operate in your province. Learn more about payday loan scams here.

The payday loan cycle of debt

Before you apply for an emergency payday loan, make sure you won’t have problems repaying your loan by the due date, and after repaying you’ll have enough income left to pay for other debts and expenses. Otherwise, you might find yourself needing to apply for another payday loan.

Are emergency personal loans better than payday loans?

It depends on your needs, but in general, personal loans are a better choice than payday loans. They have lower interest rates and longer loan terms that make repayments more manageable. The downside is that they are harder to get than payday loans, and they’re slower to process. While payday loans can provide instant approval and funding, sometimes even 24/7, emergency personal loans take 24 to 48 hours.

Blue spyglass

Looking ahead: More payday lenders in 2025 and beyond

The maximum personal loan rate in Canada dropped from 47% APR to 35% APR on January 1, 2025. Experts in non-prime lending say that a drop in the maximum rate will cause lenders to be more selective with their approvals, which means fewer Canadians with low credit scores will qualify for a personal loan. Without access to personal loans, they could be forced to turn to payday loans.

We may see more payday lenders entering the market in the next several years.

Economic conditions are causing Canadians the most financial stress

In the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2024, Canadians were asked to select up to three factors causing them the most financial stress. The most common factor among respondents was economic conditions, such as inflation and high housing/rent prices, selected by 43% of respondents, followed by having limited savings, selected by 27% of respondents.

How do I pick the best urgent loans for bad credit in Canada?

Look at the following features when picking the best emergency bad credit loan:

  • Interest rates. Compare several annual percentage rates (APRs) to get a true sense of what you’ll pay for interest and admin fees. Urgent bad credit loans will often come with high interest rates. Compare personal loan rates in Canada.
  • Extra fees. Consider any extra fees you may pay (outside of those included in your APR), such as NSF fees, broker fees and membership fees.
  • Loan term. While a longer loan term will give you lower monthly payments, you will pay more interest over the life of the loan. Choose a loan term that allows you to pay off the debt faster but using manageable repayments.
  • Speed. If you need money ASAP, find a lender that can give you instant loan approval and funding.
  • Improves your credit score. If you’re applying for a personal loan, check whether your lender will report your on-time payments to the credit bureaus.
  • Company reputation. Look for a lender with a solid reputation for customer service. Check online reviews on sites like Google, Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.

Can I get guaranteed approval on an emergency loan with poor credit?

No, you can’t get guaranteed approval on an emergency loan. Even if the lender has an automated approval process, they will still require you to meet certain criteria if they’re a legit lender. Those promising guaranteed approval may be doing so to collect fraudulent upfront fees, to collect personal private data or to get you to agree to a loan that you can’t afford.

How do I get an emergency loan if I’m unemployed?

It can be difficult to get an emergency loan if you’re unemployed unless you have another source of income. Some lenders will accept alternative forms of income such as EI, pension, disability, child tax credit or maternity benefits to help you meet income requirements. Check with the lender to find out what incomes they accept.

Other ways to borrow money quickly

You can use the following options to borrow money in an emergency if you don’t want a personal loan, cash advance or payday loan:

  • Line of credit: Apply for a line of credit with an online lender, and it’s usually much faster than the bank. Just be prepared to pay higher rates.
  • Car title loans: Use your paid-off car as collateral to boost your chances of approval. You can continue to use your car as you make your loan payments.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Romana King as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Publisher

Leanne Escobal is a publisher at Finder with more than 12 years of experience in financial products and services, with a focus on content strategy and marketing. She has completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) as well as the Personal Lending and Mortgages course through the Canadian Securities Institute. Leanne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University. See full bio

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Leanne has written 175 Finder guides across topics including:
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