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The short answer
Canadian banks set their own limits on online transfers, debit card use and international wires, and they differ by channel and by customer. To raise one, call the bank or visit a branch, say which channel and amount you need, and expect identity and purpose questions. For a one-off large payment, a branch wire is often the route, since branch limits are usually set case by case.
Which limit did you hit?
"Limit" can mean several different caps, and fixing the wrong one wastes a phone call. The caps you meet day to day come from your bank's own settings for each channel, not from a single published rule. Before you contact the bank, check the error message and work out which of these stopped you:
| Limit | What it controls | Where it usually shows |
|---|---|---|
| Online or app transfer limit | How much you can send per day or per transaction through online banking, including international transfers | Error on the transfer screen |
| Debit card daily limit | Card purchases, including paying a remittance app with your debit card | Card declined in the app |
| Interac e-Transfer limit | Interac transfers, including funding an app that accepts Interac | Error when sending the e-Transfer |
| Wire limit | International wires through online banking or in branch | Error or a message to visit a branch |
Funding a remittance app by debit card is limited by your card's daily cap, not the bank's wire cap. If Remitly or Remitbee declines your card, it may be the card limit, not the app's. Apps keep their own limits too: Remitly Canada says it limits how much you can send in 24 hours, 30 days and 180 days.
How banks set limits
- Channel: app and online limits tend to be lower than branch limits, because the bank cannot see you.
- Account type and history: a new account, especially in your first months in Canada, often starts with lower limits.
- Your security set-up: some banks link higher online limits to stronger sign-in settings.
- Recent activity: a sudden change in pattern can prompt a temporary block rather than a limit.
Each bank publishes its own rules, often only after sign-in, and figures change. We do not quote them here; check your bank's limits page or ask.
How to ask for an increase
- Decide what you need: a permanent higher daily limit, or a one-time increase for a single payment.
- Call the number on the back of your card or on the bank's own website, or book a branch appointment.
- Say which channel you need raised (online transfer, debit card, Interac or wire) and the amount.
- Expect to verify your identity and to be asked the purpose of the payment, who the receiver is and where the money came from.
- Ask whether the increase is temporary, when it takes effect and when it reverts.
- Ask the bank to note your request on file, with the date and the agent's name.
What to have ready
- The receiver's full name, Nigerian bank name, account number and the bank's SWIFT code (see our SWIFT code guide).
- The purpose: school fees, building, family support, a property purchase, with an invoice or agreement for large sums.
- Evidence of source: pay stubs, a sale agreement, savings statements.
If you are new to Canada
A new account with little history is the hardest case. Banks may be reluctant to raise an online limit in the first months but will often process a single branch wire once they have seen your ID and documents. Book an appointment rather than walking in, ask what the branch needs in advance, and allow time: a wire to Nigeria is not instant, and a first large payment may be reviewed before it leaves.
Splitting a payment over several days
If an increase is refused, some people send in parts over several days. That is lawful for genuine reasons, but be aware of two points. First, reporting still applies: FINTRAC says financial entities and money services businesses report international transfers of $10,000 or more, including two or more transfers totalling $10,000 or more within 24 hours for the same person. Second, splitting to stay under a threshold is a known warning sign and can lead to a review. If the purpose is genuine, a single branch wire with documents is usually cleaner. Our guide to sending a large amount to Nigeria covers this in more depth.
Fees and alternatives
A higher limit does not change the cost. Banks charge their own wire fee, may add an exchange margin, and other banks in the chain may deduct fees: RBC's newcomer offer page, for example, says there is no RBC fee on overseas transfers for eligible students but that intermediary or receiving bank fees may apply. Our article on intermediary bank fees on a Canada to Nigeria wire explains these. Remittance apps are an alternative for smaller sums, within their own limits.
Where Pryme fits
If you hold US dollars, pounds or euros, a Pryme account gives you local details in each and lets you convert to naira when you choose, with the rate and fee shown before you approve. See the multicurrency account.
Questions people ask
Is there a legal limit on sending money from Canada to Nigeria?
The everyday limits come from banks and apps. Separately, international transfers of $10,000 or more are reported to FINTRAC; reporting is not a ban.
How do I increase my online banking transfer limit in Canada?
Call your bank or visit a branch, say which limit and amount you need, and verify your identity. Some banks let you change certain limits in online banking.
Why was my debit card declined by a remittance app?
It may be your card's daily limit rather than the app's. Ask your bank to raise the card limit temporarily.
Can I send a large amount in branch instead?
Usually yes. Branch wires are typically handled case by case; bring ID and documents for the purpose and source of the money.
Sources
- FINTRAC: Reporting electronic funds transfers · accessed Oct 2026
- Remitly Canada: Nigeria pricing · accessed Oct 2026
- RBC: Banking offers for international students in Canada · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.