Square – How to Set Up Your Account -

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Setting up your Square account in Canada is fast, easy, and completely online. Whether you’re running a retail shop, café, or online store, Square gives Canadian entrepreneurs everything they need to accept payments, manage sales, and grow their business.

How to Open a Square Account in Canada

Creating your Square account only takes a few minutes. Here’s how:

Go to squareup.com/ca and click “Get Started.”
Enter your email address, create a secure password, and confirm your country as Canada.
Provide your business name, type, and category.
Add your legal name and date of birth for verification.
Link your Canadian bank account for deposits.
Accept the Square Terms of Service and submit your application.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have full access to your Square Dashboard, where you can set up payment links, invoices, and POS tools.

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Requirements for Canadian Business Owners

To set up a Square account in Canada, you’ll need:

A valid email address and Canadian phone number.
A Canadian bank account capable of receiving electronic deposits (in CAD).
A government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s licence, or permanent resident card).
For businesses:
- Business name registered in Canada.
- CRA Business Number (BN) for tax purposes.

Square supports sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and non-profits across all provinces and territories.

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How to Connect Your Bank and Verify Identity

To receive payments, you’ll need to link and verify your Canadian bank account.

Here’s how:

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In your Square Dashboard, go to Settings → Account → Bank Accounts.
Enter your institution number, transit number, and account number.
Square will send a small test deposit (under $1) to confirm ownership.
Once confirmed, payouts will start automatically within 1–2 business days.

For verification, upload a clear photo ID and ensure your legal name matches the one on your bank account and business registration.

Square for eCommerce and In-Person Sales

Square isn’t just for physical stores — it’s a complete payment ecosystem for Canadian merchants.

You can:

🛒 Set up an online store using Square Online, synced with your inventory.
💳 Accept credit and debit cards in-person using Square Reader or Terminal.
💻 Send invoices and receive payments online.
📱 Use the Square app on your phone or tablet for contactless payments.

All transactions appear in real-time in your dashboard, making it easy to track revenue, taxes, and trends.

How to Receive Payments in CAD

With Square, you’ll receive deposits directly to your Canadian bank account in Canadian dollars (CAD).

Payouts are automatically scheduled daily by default (Monday to Friday).
You can also choose manual or custom deposit times.
Most deposits appear in your account within 1–2 business days.

Square supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Interac payments, both online and offline.

Square vs Shopify for Canadians

Feature	Square	Shopify
Setup time	Minutes	Longer setup with plans
Fees	Flat rate (2.65% per card swipe)	Varies by plan and gateway
POS system	Included	Add-on hardware required
Online store	Free basic store	Paid plans only
Best for	Retail, cafés, service providers	eCommerce-focused businesses

Verdict: Square is perfect for small and medium businesses that want a simple, affordable way to accept payments both online and offline, while Shopify is ideal for larger eCommerce operations.

Common Setup Issues and Fixes

Problem	Cause	Solution
Bank verification failed	Incorrect account details	Double-check institution and transit numbers
Payout delayed	Bank review or public holiday	Wait 1–2 business days or check Square status page
ID not accepted	Blurry or expired document	Re-upload clear, valid ID
Payments declined	Card issuer restrictions	Ask the customer to try another card

If you experience persistent issues, Square’s Canadian Support Team is available via chat, email, or phone for quick assistance.

👉 Next article: How to Apply for a Square Loan in Canada