Opening an IC Markets live account, from sign-up to first trade.

Opening an IC Markets live account, from sign-up to first trade.

You open an IC Markets live account online at ic.com: fill in the application form, upload a government-issued photo ID and a proof of address, and wait for IC's accounts team to approve you. Once approved, IC emails your trading account number and your Client Area login. There is no minimum deposit on the main accounts at IC's global company, so you can open first and fund later.

IC verifies every applicant because the law requires it: the Help Centre cites the Seychelles Anti-Money Laundering Act 2020, which applies to Raw Trading Ltd, the company behind ic.com. Verification "usually takes a few minutes but can take a couple of hours in some cases", IC says. You must be at least 18, and residents of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Iran and North Korea can't apply to that company.

Whereic.com, Open Account
DocumentsPhoto ID plus proof of address (6 months or newer)
Minimum age18
Minimum deposit$0 at IC's global company ($200 at its Australian company)
ResultTrading account and Client Area login by email
Not acceptedResidents of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Iran, North Korea

Step by step: opening your IC Markets account

  1. Register. Click Open Account on ic.com. The first screen asks for your country of residence, first and last name, email and a password for IC's client portal. Use your name exactly as it appears on your ID.
  2. Complete the application form. Add the personal details IC asks for and answer every question honestly.
  3. Set up the trading account. Pick the platform (MT4, MT5 or cTrader), the account type and the base currency. If you need swap-free status, request it now: IC says it is applied for during registration.
  4. Upload your documents. A photo ID and a proof of address, as described below.
  5. Wait for approval. IC's accounts team reviews the application and emails your login details once it is approved.
  6. Fund and log in. Deposit from the Client Area, download or open your platform, and log in with the account number IC sent you.

Which documents IC Markets asks for

IC's Help Centre sets out its identification rules in detail.

DocumentIC's requirements
Photo IDIssued by a government agency; clear and fully visible; name, signature, expiry date and date of birth must all be readable. A passport, national ID card or driving licence usually fits.
Proof of addressNo older than 6 months; must show the same name and address as your application. A utility bill or bank statement usually fits.

IC can ask for more. Its swap-free terms, for example, reserve the right to request additional documents before granting swap-free status, and the first wire withdrawal needs a copy of a bank statement for your registered bank account.

Why verification gets delayed, and how to avoid it

  • Blurred or cropped photos. All four corners of the ID must be in the frame, with no glare over the text.
  • An old proof of address. Anything older than six months is rejected. Download a fresh statement if your last bill is older.
  • Names that don't match. Use the same spelling, middle names and address format as your documents. A missing flat number is enough to trigger a query.
  • Expired ID. The expiry date must be visible and in the future.
  • Someone else's documents. A bill in a parent's or partner's name won't do, even at the same address.

If IC emails you about your application, reply from the same email address you registered with. It keeps the thread attached to your file.

Which IC company will hold your account?

Before you submit, look at the legal text on the form. ic.com is run by Raw Trading Ltd, licensed by the Seychelles FSA (SD018). IC also runs companies licensed in Australia (ASIC), Cyprus (CySEC), the Bahamas and Kenya, each with its own rules on leverage, minimum deposit and investor protection. The company named on your client agreement decides which rules apply to you. Our IC Markets regulation guide explains the differences.

After approval: the Client Area and your first trade

The Client Area is where you manage everything that isn't a trade: deposits, withdrawals, new live or demo accounts, leverage changes and documents. Your trading platform is separate and uses its own login, the account number and password in IC's welcome email.

Most people deposit a small amount first and place a single 0.01-lot trade to check the platform, the fill and the commission. Our minimum deposit guide covers funding methods, and the platforms guide helps you choose between MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.

IC warns about scams that use its name, including fake account managers and cloned websites. Only log in through ic.com or IC's official apps, and never share your Client Area password. IC's own scam guidance lists the warning signs, and our scam broker list names firms to steer clear of.

Keep your IC account secure

Two logins protect your money at IC: the Client Area, where deposits and withdrawals happen, and the trading platform, which has its own account number and password. Turn on two-factor authentication in the Client Area as soon as you are approved. IC supports an authenticator app or phone verification, plus one-time backup codes for when neither is available.

Backup codes are generated on the Client Area's 2FA page. Each set usually holds 10 codes and every code works only once, so store them somewhere safe and offline. On MetaTrader you can also create an investor password, a read-only login that lets someone view your account without being able to trade it.

If you ever suspect your account has been compromised, IC's advice is to change both your platform and Client Area passwords straight away and contact support. Moving house later? Email [email protected] from your registered address with a proof of address no older than 180 days, and IC will update your details.

Read the first page of the client agreement before you tick the box. It names the company, the regulator and the law that governs any dispute. Two minutes there tells you more about your protection than any advert.
Jannatul FerdaushWriter, FX Recap
Illustrative case: Valentina, 36, Montevideo

Valentina's first application stalled because she uploaded a utility bill from eight months earlier and wrote her address without her apartment number. IC emailed her asking for a newer document. She downloaded a bank statement from the previous month with the full address, uploaded it through the Client Area, and was approved the next business day.

Frequently asked

How do I open an IC Markets account?

Complete the online application at ic.com, choose your platform and account type, and upload a government-issued photo ID and a proof of address no older than six months. IC's accounts team reviews it and emails your trading account and Client Area login once approved.

What documents does IC Markets need?

A clear, government-issued photo ID showing your name, signature, expiry date and date of birth, and a proof of address no older than six months showing the same name and address as your application.

How long does IC Markets verification take?

IC's Help Centre says verification usually takes a few minutes but can take a couple of hours in some cases. Blurry photos, bills older than six months and mismatched addresses are the usual causes of longer delays.

Can I open an IC Markets account without a deposit?

Yes. At IC's global company there is no minimum deposit on Standard, Raw Spread or cTrader accounts, so you can open the account and fund it later. IC's Australian company requires $200.

Who can't open an IC Markets account?

IC's global company doesn't accept residents of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Iran or North Korea, or anyone under 18. Other countries may be served by a different IC company or restricted by local law.

Can I change my account type after opening?

You can open additional live accounts of a different type from the Client Area, so you don't need a new application to switch from Standard to Raw Spread, for example.