Tool · cheque holds
Cheque-hold calculator: when will my money be available?
Enter the cheque amount, how you deposited it and the date. You get the latest date a federally regulated bank can hold the funds under the rules FCAC publishes — and how much you can use right away. The limits come from the federal Access to Funds Regulations.
Result
$1,500 or less, deposited another way (ATM, mobile, etc.): up to 5 business days.
Monday, November 9, 2026
is the latest the remaining funds should be held, counting from Monday, November 2, 2026.
No holidays fall inside this window.
FCAC’s cheque page lists limited situations in which a bank may hold funds longer than these maximums. If your hold is longer, ask the bank to explain which exception applies, and use the complaint process if you disagree.
The four hold limits at a glance
Each example assumes the cheque is deposited in Ontario on Friday, October 30, 2026. The two 8-business-day holds skip Remembrance Day (Wednesday, November 11), a holiday under the Interpretation Act.
| Cheque | Deposited | Max hold | Latest available |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | In person | 4 days | Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| $800 | ATM / mobile | 5 days | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| $4,000 | In person | 7 days | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 |
| $4,000 | ATM / mobile | 8 days | Thursday, November 12, 2026 |
How the dates are counted
The Access to Funds Regulations define a business day as any day other than a Saturday or a holiday, and the Interpretation Act defines “holiday” to include Sundays, the federal holidays and provincial and municipal holidays. A cheque deposited on a weekend or holiday counts from the next business day. The calculator then counts forward the maximum number of business days for your amount and channel, skipping holidays for your province.
Next holidays we skip for Ontario
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026 — Remembrance Day
- Friday, December 25, 2026 — Christmas Day
- Friday, January 1, 2027 — New Year’s Day
- Monday, February 15, 2027 — Family Day
- Friday, March 26, 2027 — Good Friday
- Monday, March 29, 2027 — Easter Monday
Government of Canada cheques up to $1,750 can be cashed free at any bank, even if you’re not a customer, with acceptable ID.
Pending changes are tracked in our guide to how banks are regulated.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a Canadian bank hold a cheque?
At federally regulated banks, for cheques of $1,500 or less, up to 4 business days if deposited in person or 5 if deposited another way such as an ATM or mobile app. For cheques over $1,500: up to 7 business days in person or 8 another way.
Do I get any of the money right away?
Yes. Banks must give immediate access to the first $100 of a cheque deposited in person, or by the next business day if deposited another way.
Are cheque holds getting shorter?
Budget 2025 proposed raising the immediately available amount and shortening holds, and Parliament passed enabling changes in March 2026. As of November 1, 2026 FCAC still publishes the $100 and 4-day rules, so we use those until new regulations take effect.
Which holidays does the calculator skip?
Business days exclude Saturdays and holidays as the Interpretation Act defines them: Sundays, the federal holidays (New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day and Christmas) and days a province or municipality makes a holiday. We add Family Day and its equivalents, the August civic holiday (outside Quebec), Fête nationale in Quebec and Boxing Day in Ontario. If your area has another local holiday in the window, add it below.
Do these rules apply to credit unions?
They apply to federally regulated banks and federal credit unions. Provincially regulated credit unions follow their own policies — ask yours.
Educational information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. CanadianBanks.ca is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or paid by any institution listed. Confirm details with the institution and the official sources linked on each page before you act. Read the full disclaimer.