Wealthsimple referral bonus not received: checklist

Missing bonuses are frustrating, but most have a clear, checkable reason. Wealthsimple's official referral terms are strict about where money comes from and when it arrives. Go through each step in order; the first one that fails is usually the answer.

The checklist

1. Has enough time passed? The bonus is usually paid within 24 hours of qualifying funding being processed. A deposit that's still pending doesn't count yet.
2. Was the referral attached? Check the Rewards Centre in the app, or follow Wealthsimple's confirm your referral guide. If no code shows, you may still be able to add one within 7 days of first funding.
3. Did at least $100 come from outside Wealthsimple? Peer-to-peer transfers, Wealthsimple bonuses or credits, and deposits from Wealthsimple affiliates don't count.
4. Did it arrive within 30 days? The window starts when you open the account. Slow institutional transfers are the most common reason people miss it.
5. Do you have a Wealthsimple Chequing account? The bonus is paid there. Without one, it can't be deposited, and after 90 days it's forfeited.
6. Were you a new client? If you ever opened a Wealthsimple Trade, Crypto, Managed or Chequing account before, you're not eligible. A Wealthsimple Tax account alone doesn't count.
7. Are you the primary holder? On joint accounts, RESPs and spousal RRSPs, only the primary holder can register a referral.
8. Was it a cross-referral? If the person who referred you was originally referred by you, the referral isn't allowed.

If the bonus arrived and then disappeared

A bonus can be reversed. The most common reason is withdrawing it, or dropping your balance below it, before the 180-day hold period ends. Reversals can also happen if the qualifying deposit bounced or was pulled back, or if Wealthsimple later finds that a rule wasn't met. Keep the bonus amount in your account for the full hold period to avoid this.

If everything checks out

If every step above passes and the 24-hour period after your funding was processed has come and gone, contact Wealthsimple support through the help or chat option in the app. Share:

• The date you opened your account and the date of your first funding.
• Where the money came from (bank name or transferring institution) and the amount.
• The referral code you used, if you remember it.
• Whether you have a Chequing account and when it was opened.

This site is independent and has no access to your account or to Wealthsimple's systems, so it can't check or fix a missing bonus for you. Only Wealthsimple can.

Preventing the problem next time

If you're helping a friend sign up, the simplest way to avoid issues is to use the referral link so the code is attached automatically, deposit from an outside bank account soon after signup, open Chequing on day one, and leave the bonus alone for 180 days. The rules explained page covers each requirement in more detail, and the referral vs promo code page clears up common confusion about offers.