OUTLINE
TLDR: Interac e-Transfer® Request Money lets businesses request a specific amount from a customer’s email or mobile number. The customer approves the payment through their online banking, and funds are typically deposited within minutes. With VoPay, platforms can integrate Request Money through an API, embed it inside their own platform, or use a no-code portal.
For Canadian businesses and platforms looking to modernize how they collect payments, Interac e-Transfer® Request Money offers a fast, trusted, and digital-first solution. But while the feature is familiar to consumers, leveraging it as a business or embedding it into software requires a deeper understanding of how it works, and how to implement it at scale.
This article explains what Interac® Request Money is, how it can benefit platforms, and how providers like VoPay enable API or no-code integrations built specifically for B2B use cases.
Interac e-Transfer® Request Money is a feature that allows businesses to request a specific dollar amount from a recipient’s email or mobile number. Once the request is received, the recipient is notified and can approve the transfer using their online banking, eliminating the need for manual invoicing or follow-up.
Unlike traditional invoicing methods, Request Money provides:
For a deeper look at how the feature works, read Interac e-Transfer® Request Money Explained.
For platforms or service providers, Interac® Request Money offers several advantages over other payment collection methods:
Interac® is a household name in Canada. Leveraging its infrastructure makes payment requests feel secure and recognizable to end users, reducing friction.
Since recipients can approve requests from their banking portal in real time, funds are often deposited faster than EFTs or mailed cheques.
Request Money avoids high card interchange fees or merchant gateway charges, making it a cost-friendly solution for recurring or one-time collections.
Request Money works well for both single invoice payments and repeat collections like monthly rent or loan repayments, with the payer approving each request.
Use case insight: If you're building a platform that needs to collect funds from Canadian users in real time, Interac® Request Money offers speed and UX advantages that traditional PAD or EFT can’t match.
You have two main paths depending on your team’s technical resources:
For platforms that want to embed payment functionality natively into their user interface, VoPay offers a REST API that connects your system directly to Interac®'s Request Money functionality.
Key features via API:
With VoPay’s embedded option, the request can also appear inside your web or mobile experience, so payers choose their financial institution and approve the payment without leaving your platform.
If your team doesn’t have development resources, you can still send and manage Request Money through VoPay’s web-based Portal. This allows teams to:
The portal can be white-labeled with your own branding, ideal for businesses that want a polished solution without building it themselves.
The ability to collect real-time payments from users is valuable across many sectors. Here’s how platforms are applying Request Money today:
Tenants receive monthly payment requests directly to their email or phone, and funds are deposited within minutes of approval.
Software platforms can request invoice payments and service deposits from their customers, with funds deposited within minutes of approval.
Borrowers receive loan repayment requests via Interac e-Transfer® and can pay back directly through their bank, with no need to re-enter account details.
Vendors or sellers can be prompted for fees, subscriptions, or commissions using Request Money, minimizing card dependency.
VoPay is an official Interac® solution provider, offering access to Interac e-Transfer® features like Request Money through both API and Portal setups. Here’s what sets VoPay apart:
Most providers only send Request Money by email or text. With VoPay, the request can be embedded in your platform, so payment becomes the next step in your customer’s workflow instead of a separate task.
Unlike consumer apps or banks, VoPay’s solution is built for businesses that want to offer payment tools inside their software.
Use VoPay’s Integration Timeline to choose between fast no-code deployment or a full API build based on your team’s needs.
Every request sent, completed, or cancelled can be tracked in real time, whether through your platform dashboard or directly in the VoPay Portal.
Whether you use the portal or API, you can custom-brand the payment experience to match your platform and avoid third-party UX disruptions.
As platforms in Canada look to modernize their embedded payment offerings, Interac e-Transfer® Request Money presents a trusted, fast, and flexible method to collect funds from customers and partners.
Whether you’re building a property management app, a SaaS platform, or a marketplace platform, VoPay gives you the tools to implement Interac® Request Money at scale, with or without code.
If you’re looking to collect payments from Canadian customers faster, without the heavy lift of building from scratch, book a demo to see how quickly you can go live.
Is Interac e-Transfer® Request Money only for consumers?
No, VoPay enables business and platform use of Request Money. It’s ideal for B2B or B2C companies that want to request payments using a familiar and secure system.
Do I need an API to use Request Money?
Not necessarily. VoPay offers both an API for embedded use and a no-code portal for teams that want a faster, developer-free setup.
How long does it take to get paid?
Once a recipient accepts the request, funds are typically deposited in minutes, depending on the receiving bank.
Can I brand the experience?
Yes. VoPay’s portal and API flows can be white-labeled to reflect your logo, colors, and user experience.
What if the customer doesn’t respond?
You can cancel unfulfilled requests and send a new one, and VoPay gives you real-time visibility into pending and completed transactions.
