Who Can Join TradeDay? Eligibility Requirements Explained

Written by Paul

Published on

January 9, 2026

You want to sign up for TradeDay but you're not sure if you're actually allowed to. Maybe you're 19 and worried there's a minimum age requirement. Or you're in Canada wondering if TradeDay accepts international traders. Or you're unemployed and concerned they might require proof of income.

Most prop firms have eligibility requirements buried in their terms of service that nobody reads until after they've been denied. TradeDay is actually more accessible than most competitors, but there are still specific criteria you need to meet before they'll let you trade with their capital.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with TradeDay and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check TradeDay´s website or their faq page.

I almost didn't apply to TradeDay because I assumed you needed trading certifications or a minimum net worth. Turns out the barriers to entry are way lower than I thought. The main requirements are simple: be 18+, not be in a banned country, and pass identity verification. That's basically it.

This is your complete breakdown of TradeDay's eligibility requirements: who can join, who can't, what documents you need, geographic restrictions, and answers to all the edge cases like "can I join if I'm a student?" or "do I need a US Social Security Number?"

The Basic Requirements: Who Can Join

Let's start with the straightforward criteria that apply to everyone.

Age Requirement: Must Be 18+

TradeDay requires you to be at least 18 years old to create an account and trade.

Why this matters:

Futures trading is regulated by the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) in the US
Legal trading age in most jurisdictions is 18
Contract law requires parties to be adults

What they verify:

Your date of birth during signup
Government-issued ID during verification (if requested)

Can minors trade with parent permission? No. There's no "parent cosign" option. You must personally be 18+ to have a TradeDay account.

What if you're 17 turning 18 soon? Wait until your 18th birthday, then sign up. Your account application date must be after you turn 18.

Geographic Eligibility: Most Countries Accepted

TradeDay accepts traders from most countries worldwide, but there are notable exceptions.

Generally accepted regions:

United States (all 50 states)
Canada
United Kingdom
European Union countries
Australia
Most of Latin America
Most of Asia (with exceptions)

Your location is tracked by:

IP address during signup
Billing address on payment method
Government ID address (if verification is required)

These must all match. You can't use a VPN to pretend you're in an allowed country if you're actually in a restricted one.

No Minimum Net Worth or Income

Unlike some financial services, TradeDay doesn't require proof of:

Minimum income ($0 income is fine)
Net worth threshold (you could be broke)
Employment status (unemployed is fine)
Credit score (they don't check it)

Why this matters: You can be a college student with no income, unemployed, or early in your career. As long as you can afford the $75-225/month subscription, you're eligible.

No Trading Licenses Required

You don't need any certifications:

No Series 3 license
No FINRA registrations
No professional trading credentials
No college degree

Why: You're trading in a simulated environment during evaluation and in a prop trading structure when funded. You're not directly trading customer money or acting as a broker, so licenses aren't required.

Identity Verification May Be Required

Some traders need to verify their identity before trading or before first payout.

What TradeDay may ask for:

Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, national ID card)
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement within 90 days)
Selfie holding your ID (for photo matching)

When verification is triggered:

Random compliance checks during signup
Before activating funded account
Before first payout (most common)
If suspicious activity is detected

Processing time: 24-48 hours typically, sometimes up to 5 business days.

Not everyone gets asked for verification. Some traders go months before TradeDay requests documents. Others are asked immediately during signup.

Countries Where TradeDay Is NOT Available

This is the critical section: geographic restrictions.

Confirmed Banned Countries

TradeDay explicitly prohibits traders from these regions (list based on industry standards and OFAC restrictions):

Definitely banned:

Afghanistan
Belarus
Burma (Myanmar)
Central African Republic
Cuba
Democratic Republic of Congo
Iran
Iraq
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Nicaragua
North Korea
Russia (since 2022 due to sanctions)
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Why these countries are banned:

OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions
Financial crime concerns
Regulatory restrictions
Inability to process payments from these regions

Gray Area Countries

Some countries have unclear or conditional status:

Possibly restricted (reports vary):

China (mainland) - unclear if accepted, Hong Kong may be separate
Pakistan - some traders report being rejected
Nigeria - accepted but may face additional verification
Turkey - generally accepted but occasional issues reported
India - generally accepted but banking complications

If you're in a gray area country: Try signing up. If your country is accepted, the signup will proceed. If blocked, you'll get an error message.

How Geographic Restrictions Are Enforced

TradeDay uses multiple methods to verify your location:

IP Address Tracking:

Your signup IP is logged
If it shows you're in a banned country, signup is rejected

Payment Method Location:

Billing address on your credit card must match an allowed country
Cards issued by banks in banned countries are declined

Government ID Verification:

If verification is requested, your ID must be from an allowed country
Passport country of issuance is checked

VPN Detection:

TradeDay's systems detect VPN and proxy usage
Using VPN to bypass country restrictions violates terms of service
Can result in account termination even after you're funded

What If You're a Citizen of a Banned Country Living in an Allowed Country?

Scenario: You're a Russian citizen but you live in Germany with legal residence.

Answer: Generally accepted. What matters is your current residence, not your citizenship.

Requirements:

Your billing address must be in Germany
Your IP address should show Germany
If ID verification is requested, provide your German residence permit along with passport

Gray area: This is company policy discretion. Some prop firms are stricter than others. TradeDay seems to focus on current residence rather than citizenship, but edge cases may be reviewed manually.

For VPN Users: The Policy

TradeDay doesn't completely ban VPN usage, but there are rules.

Allowed VPN usage:

Using VPN for general internet privacy while in an allowed country
Accessing TradeDay from work networks that require VPN
Security purposes (public WiFi protection)

NOT allowed VPN usage:

Using VPN to hide your real location if you're in a banned country
Routing through different countries to bypass restrictions
Using VPN to make it appear you're in the US when you're not

How to use VPN safely:

Use a VPN server in your actual country (if you're in the US, use US servers)
Don't frequently switch VPN locations across different countries
Be consistent with your IP location during signup and trading

What happens if you violate this: Account termination, all funds and progress forfeited, no refunds.

For complete rules on prohibited practices, see the prohibited practices guide.

Special Eligibility Cases

Let's address specific situations traders ask about.

Students and Young Traders

Question: I'm 18 and in college with no income. Can I join?

Answer: Yes. You don't need income or employment. As long as you're 18+ and can afford the subscription fee, you're eligible.

Funding the subscription:

Use a credit card (yours or parent-provided)
Use a debit card linked to your checking account
Use a prepaid card if it supports recurring payments

What you need:

Valid payment method
Email address
Ability to pass identity verification if requested

Unemployed or Between Jobs

Question: I'm currently unemployed. Does TradeDay require proof of income?

Answer: No. TradeDay doesn't ask for employment verification or income documentation.

Why this works: They're evaluating your trading skill, not your financial background. Whether you're employed, retired, or unemployed is irrelevant.

Retired Traders

Question: I'm 67 and retired. Am I too old?

Answer: There's no maximum age limit. As long as you meet the minimum age (18+) and can trade competently, you're welcome.

Non-US Citizens Living in the US

Question: I'm on a work visa in the US. Can I trade with TradeDay?

Answer: Yes, as long as you're physically residing in the US and your visa allows you to engage in trading activities.

What you need:

US address (where you currently live)
Payment method with US billing address
Valid US residence documentation if verification is requested

Visa type considerations:

H1B, L1, F1-OPT: Generally fine
Tourist visa (B1/B2): Questionable - not technically "residing" in the US
Check with an immigration attorney if unsure about your visa restrictions

US Citizens Living Abroad

Question: I'm a US citizen living in Thailand. Can I join TradeDay?

Answer: Depends on whether Thailand is an accepted country (it generally is).

Requirements:

Thailand must not be on the banned list
Your IP address will show Thailand
Your billing address can be US or Thailand
You may need to verify your current residence

Tax implications: As a US citizen, you're taxed on worldwide income. TradeDay will issue 1099s to you regardless of where you live.

Traders With Multiple Nationalities

Question: I have dual citizenship (US and UK). Does this matter?

Answer: Not really. What matters is where you currently reside and trade from.

Best practice: Use documentation from your country of current residence for consistency.

Entity Accounts (LLCs, Corporations)

Question: Can I open a TradeDay account under my trading LLC?

Answer: TradeDay's default is individual accounts. Entity accounts may be possible but require contacting support.

Why traders want entity accounts:

Tax benefits (treating trading as a business)
Liability protection
Professional structure

How to inquire:

Email TradeDay support before signing up
Explain you want to trade under an entity
Provide entity documentation (Articles of Organization, EIN)
They'll advise if it's possible and what's required

More likely outcome: You'll trade under your personal name, then structure your personal income from trading through your entity for tax purposes.

Traders Banned From Other Prop Firms

Question: I got banned from TopStep for rule violations. Can I still join TradeDay?

Answer: Probably yes. Prop firms don't share blacklists.

Caveat: If you violated rules at another firm, don't bring those same behaviors to TradeDay. Learn from your mistakes or you'll get banned again.

What TradeDay doesn't check:

Whether you have accounts at other prop firms
Whether you've been banned elsewhere
Your history with competitors

They evaluate you based solely on your trading with them.

What Documents You Might Need

Here's what to have ready for the signup and verification process.

For Initial Signup

Required immediately:

Email address
Password (create one)
Name (legal name matching payment method)
Date of birth
Country of residence
Payment method (credit/debit card)

Not required:

Social Security Number (not collected during signup)
Photo ID (not needed yet)
Address proof (not needed yet)

For Identity Verification (If Triggered)

Common verification requests:

1. Government-issued photo ID:

Passport (most universally accepted)
Driver's license (if US/Canada/UK)
National ID card (if applicable in your country)

Requirements:

Must be current (not expired)
Full document visible (all corners, no cropping)
Text must be readable
Photo must be clear

2. Proof of address:

Utility bill (electric, water, gas, internet)
Bank statement
Government correspondence
Lease agreement

Requirements:

Issued within last 90 days
Shows your full name
Shows your full address
From a credible source

3. Selfie with ID:

Hold your ID next to your face
Both your face and the ID must be clearly visible
Match the photo on the ID

Why they ask for this: Prevents identity theft, ensures the account holder is the person trading.

For Payout Processing (Riseworks)

When you request your first payout, Riseworks (TradeDay's payment processor) requires:

Identity verification:

Same documents as TradeDay (ID, proof of address)
Sometimes additional selfie verification

Payment method setup:

Bank account details for ACH/wire transfers
Crypto wallet address if using cryptocurrency

Processing time: 1-3 business days for Riseworks verification, separate from TradeDay's verification.

For complete payout details, see the payout policy guide.

Common Disqualifications and How to Avoid Them

Here are reasons traders get rejected or banned.

Disqualification #1: Age Under 18

The issue: You provide a date of birth showing you're 17 years old.

Result: Signup rejected immediately or account terminated if discovered later.

Solution: Wait until you're 18. There's no workaround.

Disqualification #2: Banned Country Location

The issue: Your IP address or billing address shows you're in Iran, Russia, or another prohibited country.

Result: Signup blocked or account terminated after review.

Solution: If you're actually in a banned country, you cannot use TradeDay. If you're using VPN and actually in an allowed country, disable the VPN and try again.

Disqualification #3: Failed Identity Verification

The issue: You submit blurry photos, expired ID, or documents that don't match your account information.

Result: Verification rejected, account frozen until resolved.

Solution: Resubmit with high-quality scans/photos. Ensure names and addresses match across all documents.

Disqualification #4: Fraudulent Payment Method

The issue: Using a stolen credit card, prepaid card registered under someone else's name, or suspicious payment source.

Result: Payment declined, account terminated, possible legal consequences.

Solution: Only use payment methods in your own name. If using a family member's card, they should create the account under their name, not yours.

Disqualification #5: Multiple Accounts Under False Identities

The issue: Creating multiple TradeDay accounts using different names or fake identities to get around account limits or bans.

Result: All accounts terminated, permanent ban from TradeDay.

Solution: You can have multiple accounts under your real identity. There's no need to fake multiple people. Just sign up honestly for additional accounts if you want them.

For details on multiple accounts policy, see the multiple accounts guide.

Disqualification #6: Chargebacks or Payment Disputes

The issue: You dispute your credit card charges after trading with TradeDay (attempting to get free months).

Result: Account terminated immediately, banned from future signups.

Solution: Don't commit payment fraud. If you have a legitimate billing issue, contact TradeDay support before disputing charges.

Eligibility Comparison Table

Here's how TradeDay's requirements compare to other prop firms:

Requirement	TradeDay	TopStep	Apex Trader	Earn2Trade
Minimum Age	18+	18+	18+	18+
International Traders	Most countries	Most countries	Most countries	Most countries
Income Verification	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
Trading License	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
Identity Verification	Sometimes required	Required for all	Sometimes required	Required for all
Entity Accounts	Contact support	Available	Contact support	Available
US-Only Restriction	No	No	No	No

TradeDay's requirements are industry-standard. No prop firm is significantly easier or harder to qualify for at the basic eligibility level.

How to Verify You're Eligible Before Signing Up

Don't waste time creating an account if you're not eligible. Check first.

Step 1: Check Your Age

Simple: Are you 18 or older? If yes, proceed. If no, wait until your 18th birthday.

Step 2: Check Your Country

Quick test:

Go to TradeDay's website
Start the signup process (don't complete it)
Enter your country in the country dropdown
If your country appears in the list, it's accepted
If it doesn't appear or signup is blocked, you're in a restricted country

Alternatively, check the OFAC sanctions list to see if your country is under US financial restrictions.

Step 3: Check Your Payment Method

Verify you have:

Credit or debit card in your own name
Billing address in an allowed country
Card that supports recurring payments (most do)

Prepaid cards sometimes work but are less reliable. Standard bank-issued cards are best.

Step 4: Check Your Documents (If Verification May Be Needed)

Ensure you have access to:

Valid government photo ID
Recent proof of address document (within 90 days)
Ability to take clear photos or scans

If you can't provide these, you may face issues during verification.

Step 5: Test Your VPN Situation

If you use VPN:

Disable it completely before signing up
Use your real IP address during account creation
Enable VPN later only for privacy, not location spoofing

This avoids triggering fraud detection systems.

What Happens If You're Denied Eligibility

Let's say you try to sign up and you're rejected.

Immediate Rejection Scenarios

Scenario 1: Age Under 18

Error message during signup: "You must be 18 or older"
No account created
No charges processed

What to do: Wait until you turn 18, then reapply.

Scenario 2: Banned Country

Error during signup or payment declined
May say "Service not available in your region"
No account created

What to do: If you're actually in that country, you cannot use TradeDay. If you were using VPN incorrectly, disable it and try again from your real location (if it's an allowed country).

Post-Signup Disqualification

Scenario 3: Failed Verification

Account created successfully
Later flagged for verification
You submit documents
Verification rejected (expired ID, blurry photos, name mismatch)

What to do: Resubmit correct documents. Contact support if you need guidance on what's wrong.

Scenario 4: Discovered Violation

You sign up successfully (possibly using VPN to hide location)
Later, TradeDay discovers you're in a banned country
Account terminated, funds forfeited

What to do: Nothing. The termination is final. Don't try to create new accounts under fake information.

Edge Cases and Gray Areas

Let's address situations that don't fit neatly into eligibility rules.

Question: I Have No Fixed Address (Digital Nomad)

Situation: You travel constantly and don't have a permanent residence.

Solution: Use your most recent stable address or a family member's address where you receive mail. As long as it's in an allowed country and you can provide proof, you're fine.

For verification: Explain your situation to support if asked. Provide your parent's utility bill with a letter explaining you temporarily reside there, or use a digital nomad-friendly address service.

Question: I'm in Military Stationed Overseas

Situation: You're a US citizen in the US military stationed in Germany.

Solution: Generally accepted. Your APO/FPO address counts as US address for military members.

For verification: Provide military ID and any official correspondence showing your APO address.

Question: I Have a Criminal Record

Situation: You have past convictions and wonder if this disqualifies you.

Answer: TradeDay doesn't run criminal background checks. Your criminal history is irrelevant unless it's related to financial fraud that would appear in payment verification systems.

Exception: If you're under court order prohibiting you from trading or engaging in financial services, you cannot legally sign up.

Question: I Declared Bankruptcy Recently

Situation: You filed bankruptcy within the past few years.

Answer: Not a disqualification. TradeDay doesn't check credit scores or bankruptcy status. As long as you have a valid payment method that works, you can sign up.

Question: I'm a Minor (17) But Financially Independent

Situation: You're 17, financially self-sufficient, and want to trade.

Answer: Still no. The legal age is 18 regardless of your financial maturity. Wait a few months.

Alternative: Trade on a free simulator until you turn 18, then join TradeDay.

How TradeDay Verifies Eligibility

Understanding their verification process helps you prepare.

Automated Checks (Immediate)

During signup:

Age calculation (from date of birth entered)
Country dropdown (restricted countries aren't listed)
Payment processing (card billing address checked against allowed countries)

These happen instantly. If any fail, signup is blocked immediately.

Manual Checks (Within 24-48 Hours)

For some traders:

Account flagged for human review
Compliance team checks for suspicious patterns
May request identity verification documents
Decision within 1-3 business days

Triggers for manual review:

IP address from high-risk country
Mismatched information (name on payment vs name entered)
Unusual signup patterns
Returning trader with previous account issues

Ongoing Monitoring

Even after you're approved and trading:

TradeDay monitors for rule violations
Checks for pattern anomalies
May request verification before payouts
Compliance reviews for high-earning traders

Most traders never experience issues. Trade within the rules, be honest in your information, and you'll likely never face manual reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a US Social Security Number to join TradeDay?

No. SSN is only required if you're a US citizen or resident and you're requesting payouts (for tax reporting purposes). Non-US traders don't need SSN.

Can I use a P.O. Box as my address?

Generally yes for billing address, but some verification processes require physical residential address. Best to use your actual home address.

What if my ID is in a different name than I currently use?

Use the legal name on your government ID. If you've changed your name (marriage, legal name change), update your ID first or provide legal documentation of the name change during verification.

Can I join if I'm on a US sanctions list?

No. If you're personally on OFAC sanctions lists, you cannot use TradeDay or most financial services.

Does having accounts at other prop firms affect my eligibility?

No. You can trade with TradeDay and three other prop firms simultaneously. They don't check or care about your other accounts.

What if I lie on my application?

Don't. If discovered (during verification, payout processing, compliance review), your account will be terminated. You'll lose all progress and funds. It's not worth it.

Can I sign up from one country and later move to another?

Yes, as long as both countries are allowed. Update your address in your account settings and with Riseworks before requesting payouts from the new country.

Bottom Line: Most People Are Eligible

TradeDay's eligibility requirements are straightforward and inclusive. If you're 18+, not in a banned country, and can provide basic identity verification if asked, you qualify.

Quick eligibility checklist:

✅ Age 18 or older
✅ In an allowed country (not on OFAC sanctions list)
✅ Valid payment method (credit/debit card)
✅ Email address
✅ Able to provide photo ID if requested
✅ No history of fraud with TradeDay

If you check all these boxes, you're eligible. Sign up, start your evaluation, and focus on trading rather than worrying about qualification requirements.

For everything else about TradeDay — evaluation rules, strategies to pass, platform options, and payout details — check the complete TradeDay review.

You're probably eligible. Now go prove you can trade.