# Real-Time Rail payment system



## RTR ISO 20022 message specifications

The [Real-Time Rail (RTR)](https://www.payments.ca/systems-services/payment-systems/real-time-rail-payment-system/about-real-time-rail) will support faster payments 24/7/365 that are irrevocable, and use the ISO 20022 financial messaging standard for all transactions. The RTR will also act as a platform for innovation, allowing for the development of new products and services by third-party providers that will give everyone in Canada new and faster ways to pay and transfer money.

These specifications\* will allow RTR participants to prepare their existing applications to leverage the value of the ISO 20022 messaging standard at RTR go-live.

[RTR ISO 20022 message specification companion document (pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_ISO_20022_message_specification_companion_document.pdf)

[RTR business application header (head.001)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_BusinessApplicationHeader_head.001.pdf)

[RTR business application header (head.001)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_BusinessApplicationHeader_head.001.xlsx)

[RTR FI to FI customer credit transfer (pacs.008)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_FItoFI_CustomerCreditTransfer_pacs.008.pdf)

[RTR FI to FI customer credit transfer (pacs.008)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_FItoFI_CustomerCreditTransfer_pacs.008.xlsx)

[RTR FI to FI payment status report (pacs.002)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_FItoFI_PaymentStatusReport_pacs.002.pdf)

[RTR FI to FI payment status report (pacs.002)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_FItoFI_PaymentStatusReport_pacs.002.xlsx)

[RTR FI to FI payment status request (pacs.028)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_FItoFI_PaymentStatusRequest_pacs.028.pdf)

[RTR FI to FI payment status request (pacs.028)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_FItoFI_PaymentStatusRequest_pacs.028.xlsx)

[RTR message reject (admi.002)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_MessageReject_admi.002.pdf)

[RTR message reject (admi.002)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_MessageReject_admi.002.xlsx)

[RTR system event notification (admi.004)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_SystemEventNotification_admi.004.pdf)

[RTR system event notification (admi.004)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_SystemEventNotification_admi.004.xlsx)

[RTR system event acknowledgement (admi.011)(pdf)](/sites/default/files/RTR_SystemEventAcknowledgement_admi.011.pdf)

[RTR system event acknowledgement (admi.011)(excel)](/sites/default/files/RTR_SystemEventAcknowledgement_admi.011.xlsx)

Additional information related to the RTR ISO 20022 messages is available on Swift’s [MyStandards](https://www.swift.com/our-solutions/compliance-and-shared-services/mystandards) web platform. Please email [ISO20022@payments.ca](mailto:ISO20022@payments.ca?subject=RTR%20ISO%2020022%20Message%20Specifications) for supporting information or questions.

*\*Latest version updated on May 30, 2025*



## ISO 20022 message flows for RTR

**RTR flow for pacs.008\***

 ![RTR flow for pacs.008 – Credit Transfer](/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025_rtr_flow_pacs.008_En.png)

 

 **RTR flow for pacs.028**

 ![RTR flow for pacs.028 – Payment Status Report](/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025_rtr_flow_pacs.028_En.png)

 

**RTR ISO 20022 message reject scenario admi.002**

 ![ISO 20022 message reject scenario admi.002](/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025_rtr_flow_admi.002-En.png)

 

**Application level heartbeat – RTR Exchange to RTR participant**

 ![Application level Heartbeat – RTR Exchange to RTR Participant / CSP](/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025_rtr_flow_heartbeat_RTRtoParticipant_En.png)

 

**Application level heartbeat – RTR participant to RTR Exchange**

 ![Application level Heartbeat – RTR Participant / CSP to RTR Exchange](/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025_rtr_flow_heartbeat_ParticipantToRTR_En.png)

 

*\*Latest version updated on May 30, 2025*



 

DEVELOPER PORTAL

### Preview the RTR's capabilities with our sandbox Real-Time Rail APIs. 

[Visit the portal](https://developer.payments.ca/)