A closer look at buying US Dollars in Canada
Discover the best ways to get USD in Canada with Wise, banks, currency exchange services and other financial service providers.
If you’re a non-resident or tourist, there is good news—you can use Revolut in Canada as long as it’s available in your home country. But before you dive in and start spending, watch out for foreign transaction fees and potential currency conversion costs.
In this guide, we’ll break down the fees and limits for using Revolut in Canada so you know what to expect before you spend. We’ll also explore Wise as an alternative, which has fees as low as 0.48%1 at the mid-market exchange rate, but more on that later!
Revolut offers different account plans, each with its own fees for ATM withdrawals, currency exchange, and international transfers. Here’s a breakdown of the key charges for Standard, Premium, and Metal accounts opened in the US when using Revolut in Canada2.
Service | Standard account fees | Premium account fees | Metal account fees |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly fees (unless annual fees are paid) | $0.00 | $9.99 | $16.99 |
Annual fees | $0.00 | $94.99 | $149.99 |
In-network ATM withdrawals | Free | Free | Free |
Out-of-network ATM withdrawals | 2% of the withdrawal amount | Free up to $800 per month, then 2% | Free up to $1,200 per month, then 2% |
Currency conversion fees during foreign exchange market hours | Free up to $1,000 per month, then 0.5% | Free up to $10,000 per month, then 0.5% | Free |
Currency conversion fees outside foreign exchange market hours | 1% markup | 1% markup | 1% markup |
International transfer fees | Up to $10 for transfers under $200 USD, up to 5% for transfers over $200 USD | Up to $10 for transfers under $200 USD, up to 5% for transfers over $200 USD | Up to $10 for transfers under $200 USD, up to 5% for transfers over $200 USD |
Revolut partners with the Allpoint Network for fee-free in-network ATM withdrawals. If you use an Allpoint ATM in Canada, you won’t be charged by Revolut for withdrawing cash. However, if you withdraw money from any other ATM outside of the Allpoint network, you may incur out-of-network fees2 based on your account plan.
Here’s how the limits work for out-of-network withdrawals:
Even with in-network ATMs, it’s always a good idea to check with the ATM provider, as third-party operators may charge their own fees regardless of Revolut’s policy.
Revolut’s foreign exchange market hours begin at 5:00 PM EST on Friday and end at 6:00 PM EST on Sunday, which can vary depending on where you are in Canada and your local time zone. Additionally, these hours are affected by Daylight Saving Time (DST), which Canada observes from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Provinces and zones | Standard time | Daylight time | Foreign exchange market hours |
---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland Standard Time (NST) | UTC -3:30 | UTC -2:30 | 6:30 PM NST Friday - 7:30 PM NST Sunday |
Atlantic Standard Time (AST) | UTC -4 | UTC -3 | 6:00 PM AST Friday - 7:00 PM AST Sunday |
Eastern Standard Time (EST) | UTC -5 | UTC -4 | 5:00 PM EST Friday - 6:00 PM EST Sunday |
Central Standard Time (CST) | UTC -6 | UTC -5 | 4:00 PM CST Friday - 5:00 PM CST Sunday |
Mountain Standard Time (MST) | UTC -7 | UTC -6 | 3:00 PM MST Friday - 4:00 PM MST Sunday |
Pacific Standard Time (PST) | UTC -8 | UTC -7 | 2:00 PM PST Friday - 3:00 PM PST Sunday |
This means that if you exchange money over the weekend (from 5:00 PM EST on Friday to 6:00 PM EST on Sunday), you’ll pay an extra 1% on top of the exchange rate. If you want to avoid this extra fee, it’s best to exchange currencies during market hours. You could also check out Wise’s mid-market exchange rates instead!
For up-to-date rates, it is recommended check the Revolut mobile app before making a transaction.
Wise is designed for global spending, allowing you to pay in over 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate with no foreign transaction fees. Unlike banks or payment providers that add hidden markups to their exchange rates, Wise uses the real mid market or interbank rate—the one you’ll find on Google. This ensures you get the fairest exchange rate possible, with low, transparent fees starting from just 0.48%1 when converting currencies.
With no monthly or annual fees, Wise offers a straightforward pay-as-you-go fee structure, so you only pay for the services you use. A great alternative for international travellers and digital nomads, depending on your country of residence availability, you can order a Wise card in a few clicks, and use it to spend in over 150 countries.
Unfortunately, residents in Canada can no longer open a Revolut account, as it is not currently available for Canadian customers. This means you cannot link a Canadian bank account to the provider or use it for transactions.
However, if you're looking for a multi-currency alternative, Wise lets you connect your Canadian bank account to easily transfer, hold, and convert money in over 40 currencies.
While Revolut is no longer available for Canadian residents, non-residents visiting Canada can still use their Revolut accounts, provided it’s supported in their home country.
However, there are some limitations, including ATM withdrawal fees and currency exchange markups outside foreign exchange market hours.
If you want a more flexible and cost-effective way to manage your money abroad, Wise could be a good alternative. With no monthly fees, mid-market exchange rates, and low transfer fees starting at 0.48%1, Wise lets you spend, send, and receive money globally—without hidden charges.
Sources:
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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