Buying US stocks from Canada is straightforward, but currency conversion fees can eat into your returns. Here is how to invest in the US market while minimizing costs. For the full setup around taxes, account choice, and reporting, see investing in US stocks from Canada.
Three ways to buy US stocks in Canada
1. Canadian-listed ETFs (simplest)
Buy a Canadian-listed ETF that holds US stocks. You trade in CAD and the fund handles currency exposure.
If you want the broader shortlist of Canadian wrappers first, see best ETFs in Canada.
| ETF | Holdings | MER | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| XUU | Total US market (3,500+ stocks) | 0.07% | CAD |
| VUN | Total US market (4,000+ stocks) | 0.17% | CAD |
| XUS | S&P 500 | 0.10% | CAD |
| VFV | S&P 500 | 0.09% | CAD |
| XQQ | Nasdaq 100 | 0.39% | CAD |
Pros: No currency conversion, no US tax forms, simple Cons: Slightly higher MER than US-listed equivalents, embedded currency conversion costs
2. Buy US stocks directly (easy, but FX fees apply)
Purchase individual US stocks or US-listed ETFs through your Canadian brokerage. Your broker converts CAD to USD automatically.
| Brokerage | FX Conversion Fee | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthsimple (Basic) | 1.5% | $0 |
| Wealthsimple (Premium) | 0% | $0 |
| Questrade | ~1.5%–2.0% | $0 |
| CIBC Investors Edge | ~1.5% | $6.95 |
Questrade commission figure verified at questrade.com/pricing, August 2026.
Pros: Access to any US stock or ETF Cons: Currency conversion fees of 1.5%+ each way
3. Norbert’s Gambit (cheapest for large amounts)
Convert CAD to USD cheaply by buying a dual-listed ETF in CAD and selling it in USD. See our Norbert’s Gambit guide for the full process.
For the general currency-conversion alternatives outside investing, see where to exchange currency in Canada.
Pros: Currency conversion cost of ~0.1% instead of 1.5%+ Cons: Takes 2–3 business days, requires a USD account, more steps
US withholding tax on dividends
The US government withholds 15% of dividends paid to Canadian investors. The impact varies by account type:
| Account | US Withholding Tax | Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| RRSP | 0% (exempt by tax treaty) | No withholding applied |
| TFSA | 15% withheld | Cannot recover — the tax is permanent |
| Non-registered | 15% withheld | Claim foreign tax credit on tax return |
| RESP | 15% withheld | Cannot recover |
| FHSA | 15% withheld | Cannot recover |
We cover the full account-location decision in best account type for US stocks and ETFs in Canada.
This is why holding US dividend-paying stocks in an RRSP is most tax-efficient.
Cost comparison: Canadian-listed ETF vs direct US purchase
Investing $50,000 in the S&P 500:
| Method | Upfront Cost | Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VFV (Canadian-listed) | $0 | $45 (0.09% MER) | Simplest option |
| VOO via Wealthsimple Basic | $750 (1.5% FX) | $15 (0.03% MER) | FX fee hurts |
| VOO via Norbert’s Gambit | $50 (0.1% FX) | $15 (0.03% MER) | Best long-term |
For a one-time large investment held for 10+ years, Norbert’s Gambit pays for itself quickly due to the lower ongoing MER. For smaller, regular purchases, a Canadian-listed ETF is simpler and the MER difference is minimal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a US dollar account to buy US stocks? Not necessarily. Most Canadian brokerages let you buy US stocks with CAD, converting automatically. However, having a USD account avoids repeated conversion fees if you trade US securities regularly. Questrade and CIBC Investors Edge both offer dual CAD/USD account functionality.
Can I buy fractional shares of US stocks in Canada? Wealthsimple supports fractional shares on major US stocks and ETFs. Other Canadian brokerages (Questrade, TD Direct, RBC Direct) generally require whole share purchases. Fractional shares are useful for buying high-priced US stocks like Amazon or Berkshire Hathaway with smaller amounts.
What is the best brokerage for buying US stocks in Canada? For most Canadians, Wealthsimple offers the simplest experience: $0 commissions, CAD-to-USD conversion handled automatically, and fractional shares. For investors making large, infrequent purchases, Questrade combined with Norbert’s Gambit minimizes currency conversion costs. See our full best online brokers Canada comparison.
Do US companies pay dividends to Canadian investors? Yes. US dividends are paid to your brokerage account, with 15% withheld at source by the IRS. In an RRSP, the withholding is waived by treaty. In a TFSA or non-registered account, the 15% is withheld. In a non-registered account you can reclaim it via the T2209 foreign tax credit.
Quick reference: For a complete breakdown of US withholding tax by account type, see US dividend withholding tax in a TFSA and in an RRSP.
Bottom line
- For simple US market exposure: Buy XUU, VUN, or VFV in CAD — no currency conversion needed
- For specific US stocks: Use your brokerage’s USD conversion, or Wealthsimple Premium for $0 FX
- For large amounts ($10K+): Use Norbert’s Gambit to minimize conversion costs
- For tax efficiency: Hold US stocks in your RRSP to avoid the 15% withholding tax
If you also need to understand how CAD/USD moves change your reported returns, read currency exchange impact on investments.