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The short answer
You can send money from Canada to Nigeria without a Canadian bank account by paying cash at a Western Union agent location, which asks for valid government-issued ID. Most online apps (Remitly, Ria, Remitbee) are funded by a card, a bank account or Interac, so they need some Canadian banking first. Newcomers can open a basic Canadian account with a foreign passport and other accepted ID.
The short version
Almost every online remittance app in Canada pulls money from a debit card, a credit card, a bank account or an Interac e-Transfer, and each of those needs a Canadian bank or card issuer behind it. The main route that takes physical cash is an agent counter. Western Union's Canadian page for Nigeria lists "cash at an agent location" as a way to pay and says you can start the transfer in its app and "finish in-store". If you have arrived recently and have no account, that is the practical option for the first few weeks, while you open a basic account.
Option 1: pay cash at a Western Union agent
As at October 2026, Western Union Canada's Nigeria page describes three ways to send: online, in the app, or in person at an agent location "with help from staff". For agent payments it says to "use cash or a US bank-issued debit card" (that is the page's wording). At the counter it asks you to "take a valid government-issued ID or phone number".
- Find an agent location in Canada through Western Union's locator and check its opening hours.
- Have the receiver's full name exactly as on their Nigerian ID, and decide between cash pickup and bank deposit in Nigeria.
- For a bank deposit, have the account number and bank name; Western Union's page also asks for the purpose of the transfer.
- Bring your ID and the cash for the amount plus the fee shown.
- Keep the receipt. It carries the 10-digit MTCN tracking number.
Western Union says it "makes money from currency exchange" and that fees and rates can change without notice. Its $0 first-transfer fee offer applies to online transfers, so do not assume it at a counter. Ask the agent to show the naira amount the receiver will get before you pay, and compare it with the mid-market rate on a public converter.
Large amounts
For larger transfers the page says Western Union "might also ask for additional information about your source of funds and occupation". Carry something that shows where the cash came from, such as a pay stub or a withdrawal slip, if you are sending a sizeable sum.
Option 2: card-funded apps once you have a card
The app providers we checked do not take cash in Canada:
| Provider | Funding methods its Canadian page lists (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Remitly | Debit, prepaid and credit cards, bank account, Interac e-Transfer |
| Ria | Debit or credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay online; its page adds that "Ria agents in Canada can assist" |
| Remitbee | Visa or Mastercard debit, Interac e-Transfer, EFT, bill payment, pre-loaded balance; credit cards not accepted for transfers |
Remitly's mention of prepaid cards matters if you have a reloadable prepaid card but no bank account; check in the app that your particular card is accepted before you rely on it. Paying with a credit card is a different matter. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) says card issuers often treat wire transfers and money orders as cash advances, which carry a fee and interest from the day of the transaction, with no grace period.
What ID a provider will ask for
Remittance firms in Canada are money services businesses that must register with FINTRAC and verify customers' identity. FINTRAC's guidance says a photo ID must be "authentic, valid and current", issued by a federal, provincial or territorial government or an equivalent foreign government, and show your name, photo and a unique number. Its examples include the permanent resident card; municipal photo IDs are not acceptable. A valid Nigerian passport is a foreign-government photo ID of that kind, though each provider decides which documents it accepts. Our guide to ID that remittance apps accept from newcomers goes further.
Opening a basic Canadian account
The longer-term fix is a Canadian account. FCAC says you may open an account in Canada with proper ID even if you are not a citizen, though you may need to visit a branch in person. The bank must see original documents, not copies, and foreign passports are on the accepted list. The usual route is two documents from the list, one confirming your name and address and one your name and date of birth, or one document plus confirmation from someone in good standing who knows you.
- FCAC notes that some institutions offer no-cost accounts to newcomers in their first year, and low-cost accounts at $4 a month or less.
- If a bank refuses to open an account, FCAC says it must tell you in writing and give its complaint process.
- Once you have a debit card, card-funded and Interac-funded apps become available.
At the Nigerian end
Whichever way you pay, the receiver gets naira. A March 2026 CBN circular summarised by the law firm Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie requires international money transfer operators to pay customers only in naira, effective 1 May 2026. For cash pickup, Western Union Nigeria asks the receiver for ID, the MTCN, the expected amount and the sender's name and country. Our comparison of cash pickup and bank deposit helps you choose.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Personal Account can be opened from Canada and holds naira, US dollars, pounds and euros; naira is held by a licensed Nigerian microfinance bank. It is not a Canadian dollar account and does not replace a Canadian bank. See how sending works or open an account.
Questions people ask
Can I send money to Nigeria with cash in Canada?
Yes. Western Union's Canadian page lists cash at an agent location as a payment method. Bring valid government-issued ID.
Does Remitly accept cash in Canada?
Its Canadian Nigeria page lists cards, bank account and Interac e-Transfer, not cash. Prepaid cards are listed; check yours is accepted in the app.
Can I open a Canadian bank account with my Nigerian passport?
FCAC lists foreign passports among accepted documents. You usually need a second document or someone in good standing to confirm your identity, and may need to visit a branch.
Is it expensive to send from an agent counter?
Costs are the fee plus the exchange margin. Ask for the naira amount before paying and compare it with the mid-market rate.
Sources
- Western Union Canada: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Remitly Canada: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Ria Money Transfer Canada: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Remitbee: How to pay · accessed Oct 2026
- FINTRAC: Methods to verify the identity of persons and entities (modified 3 Dec 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
- FCAC: Opening a bank account · 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.