Applying for Ramp as a Canadian business
Overview
Ramp is available for businesses legally registered in Canada, with no US entity required. The application process uses a dedicated Canadian financing application and requires specific documentation to comply with FINTRAC.
This article covers what to expect during the application, what documents to prepare, and how Ramp determines your credit limit.
Eligibility requirements
Before applying, confirm that your business meets the following criteria.
Business type
Your business must be a corporation or limited liability company registered in Canada. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and unregistered businesses are not eligible at this time.
Supported provinces
Your business must be legally registered in one of these provinces:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) are not supported at this time.
Minimum cash balance
Your connected bank accounts must reflect a balance of at least CA$75,000. This is a minimum threshold for eligibility, and does not guarantee approval.
Industry eligibility
Certain industries may be restricted from onboarding to Ramp. This includes cryptocurrency and cannabis businesses, among others, see here for more details. If you're unsure whether your industry qualifies, contact Ramp Support before applying.
Applying for Ramp
The application is completed entirely online and typically takes 15–30 minutes to start, depending on how quickly you can gather the required documents.
- Go to app.ramp.com and select Canada when prompted for your country.
- Enter your business details: legal name, registered address, and Canadian Business Number (CBN) or incorporation number.
- Connect your Canadian bank account. Three months of recent bank statements are required and reviewed manually.
- Complete Know Your Business (KYB) and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for key individuals.
- Receive a decision. Most applications are reviewed within a few business days.
Documents you'll need
Ramp is required under FINTRAC regulations to verify both your business and the individuals who control or own it.
Business verification (KYB)
- Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Incorporation — must include your incorporation date, business legal name, and business corporation number
- Proof of business address — a recent bank statement, utility bill, or tax document showing your registered business address
- Ownership structure documentation — confirms who owns the business and in what percentages
Individual verification (KYC)
Ramp verifies the following individuals:
| Role | Who qualifies | Information required |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficial owners | Anyone with 25% or more direct or indirect ownership or control | Full name, address, occupation |
| Authorized signers | Up to 3 individuals authorized to sign on behalf of the business | Full name, address, occupation |
| Directors | All active directors | Full name, address, occupation (date of birth not required for director-only individuals) |
One person can hold more than one role. For example, a founder who is also a director and authorized signer only needs to be listed once.
KYC verification is completed through Alloy. If Alloy is unable to automatically verify someone, you'll be prompted to complete identity verification through Onfido — a live selfie and a photo of a government-issued ID.
How your credit limit is determined
Ramp sets your credit limit based on your cash balance, bank transaction history, and overall business profile. A minimum balance of CA$75,000 is required to apply, but the limit you receive will reflect your full financial picture — businesses with stronger cash positions typically qualify for higher limits.
Ramp does not pull personal credit bureau data for Canadian applications. There are no personal credit checks or personal guarantees.
After you're approved
Once approved, you'll receive an email with instructions to finish setting up your Ramp account. From there, you can:
- Issue CAD and USD Visa cards for your team
- Connect your accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite OneWorld, Sage Intacct, or uCSV)
- Enable reimbursements and Bill Pay
- Invite employees and admins
Frequently asked questions
What provinces are supported?
Ramp currently supports businesses registered in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) are not supported at this time.
Can I apply if my business has both a US and a Canadian entity?
Yes. If you already use Ramp for your US entity, you'll apply through a separate Canadian financing application. Your Canadian entity will have its own credit limit and card program.
If your business operates globally, we recommend applying to Ramp through your US entity with the Enterprise tier to enable local card issuing and debiting globally beyond Canada.
How long does the application take?
Most applications are reviewed within approximately 1 week after all documents are submitted. Complex ownership structures or missing documentation may extend the timeline.
Do directors need to provide their date of birth?
Not if they hold only the director role. Directors are required to provide their name, address, and occupation only. However, if the same person is also a beneficial owner or authorized signer, date of birth is required for those roles.
What happens if KYC verification fails?
If we're unable to verify an individual, you'll be prompted to complete a live identity check. This involves uploading a photo ID and taking a selfie. Most verifications complete within a few minutes.