How do I request a payout from my prop firm?

Once you're trading a funded prop firm account and have made some profit, the next natural question is: how do I actually get paid? The specifics vary by firm — every prop firm has its own eligibility rules, schedule, and payment methods — but the overall process follows a similar shape. This article walks through what to expect and the common touchpoints, so you know where to look and what questions to ask your prop firm (since payout rules are defined by them, not by Vector).

Before your first payout: KYC verification

Most clients are surprised by this step, so it's worth calling out first. Almost every prop firm requires KYC ("Know Your Customer") verification before they release your first payout. This is a standard compliance requirement, not something specific to any one firm. Typical KYC steps include:

• Identity verification — government-issued ID (driver's license, passport), sometimes with a live selfie or short video confirming you are the person in the ID.
• Tax forms — for example, U.S. persons are typically asked to complete a W-9; non-U.S. persons may be asked for a W-8BEN or equivalent.
• Payment profile setup — you'll usually be asked to set up your payout destination (bank account, PayPal, crypto wallet, Deel, Riseworks, etc.) on the firm's platform.

KYC usually takes longer than clients expect — plan for several days, sometimes more, before your first payout is approved. Subsequent payouts typically skip most of this since you're already verified.

Check your eligibility with the firm

Before submitting a payout request, confirm you meet the firm's requirements. What counts as "eligible" is entirely firm-defined — common criteria include:

• Minimum profit threshold — some firms require you to be a certain amount above the starting balance.
• Minimum trading activity — some firms require a minimum number of trading days before the first payout.
• Consistency rules — some firms have rules about how profit is distributed across days (for example, no single day representing too large a share of total profit).
• Current drawdown status — the account must be in good standing (not near the drawdown limit).

Check your specific firm's official rules page or dashboard to confirm you meet the criteria. These rules change from time to time, so the firm's current documentation is the authoritative source.

Payout schedule and windows

Prop firms generally don't allow payout requests at any time — they have defined windows or schedules. Common patterns:

• Specific day of the week (for example, Wednesday payouts).
• Specific day of the month or bi-weekly cadence.
• First payout gap — some firms require you to wait a minimum period (e.g., several days or weeks) after passing evaluation or reaching funded status before the first payout can be requested.

Find your firm's payout calendar on their dashboard and plan accordingly.

Submitting the request

With eligibility confirmed and KYC complete, the actual submission is usually straightforward:

1. Log into your prop firm's dashboard or portal.
2. Navigate to the Payout, Withdrawal, or equivalent section.
3. Enter the amount and select your payment destination.
4. Some firms (Apex, for example) may require an additional verification step — such as a short screen recording or video — as part of the payout submission. If your firm requires this, the portal will prompt you.
5. Submit the request.

Profit split

Most funded prop firm accounts operate on a profit split — you keep a portion of the profits and the firm retains the rest. The exact split varies significantly by firm and sometimes by account type or payout tier (some firms give 100% of the first portion of profits, then a split on the rest). Check your firm's published payout terms for the specific numbers that apply to your account.

Processing time

After submission, processing time varies — from a few business days to a week or more depending on the firm, the payment method, and whether any additional verification is needed. Your firm's portal will show the request status.

Stay compliant while the payout is processing

A few important points for the waiting period:

• Continue following your firm's trading rules while the payout is under review. A rule violation during processing can, in some cases, void the payout request or disqualify the account.
• Don't withdraw more than allowed. Most firms have a maximum per-payout amount; exceeding limits can trigger extra verification or delay processing.
• Keep records. Screenshots of the request confirmation, and any communication with the firm's support, are useful if there's ever a question later.

What Vector can and cannot help with

Vector does not process or administer payouts — the entire payout flow is handled between you and your prop firm. What the team can help with:

• Directing you to the right resources within your firm's documentation.
• Clarifying how a specific Vector strategy's behavior (e.g., contract sizing) may interact with your firm's consistency rules.
• Escalating issues on the trading/platform side that might be blocking you from reaching payout eligibility.

What the team cannot help with:

• Specific firm rules (eligibility criteria, payout percentages, windows) — that's the firm's documentation.
• KYC delays or specific verification questions — that's the firm's compliance team.
• Tax treatment of payouts — that's your CPA (see: How are taxes handled for trading activity with Vector?).

For firm-specific questions, always go to your prop firm's support first; they have the authoritative answer for your account.