MarketInvoice is the whole-of-market match for this need: we compare every UK provider that fits and route you to the best match in 2 minutes, free. Let us be upfront: if you have never had invoice finance before, you will not get cash today. Setting up a new facility takes 3-10 working days. But once your facility is live, yes - individual invoices are genuinely funded the same day you submit them. Some providers even offer 48-hour fast-track setup for urgent cases. Here is what to expect.
Same day funding is available for individual invoices once an invoice finance facility is set up. New facility setup takes 3-10 working days (some providers offer 48-hour fast-track). Once live, invoices submitted in the morning are typically funded the same afternoon. More detail + scope
Summary
Two speeds matter: facility setup (one-off, 3-10 days, or 48 hours fast-track with some providers) and per-invoice funding (same day once live). Fastest setup providers: IGF (48-hour fast-track available), Ultimate Finance (3-5 days typical), Bibby (5-7 days typical). For truly emergency same-day cash, alternatives include merchant cash advances (1-3 days) or short-term business loans (1-7 days).
This page covers
How quickly invoice finance can be set up, which providers offer the fastest onboarding, and what same-day funding means in practice
Not covered here
Emergency alternatives (see /best/emergency-business-funding/), full provider comparison (see /compare/), detailed setup process (see /questions/how-quickly-can-i-get-set-up/)
Honest expectation-setting
Any website that promises you "instant invoice finance, cash today, no setup required" is either misleading you or selling a product that is not really invoice finance. A legitimate provider needs to verify your business, check your debtors, and set up legal agreements. That takes days, not hours.
Fastest Providers for New Facilities
| Provider | Typical Setup | Fast-Track? | Per-Invoice Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MarketInvoice#1 Match | Quote in 2 min | Quote in 2 min | Quote in 2 min |
| IGF | 5-7 days | 48 hours available | Same day |
| Ultimate Finance | 3-5 days | Yes, case by case | Same day |
| Bibby | 5-7 days | Priority available | Same day |
| Close Brothers | 5-10 days | No | Same day |
| Aldermore | 7-10 days | No | Same day |
What Slows Down Setup
If you want the fastest possible setup, have these ready before you apply:
- ✓Last 3 months of bank statements
- ✓Aged debtor list (who owes you what, and for how long)
- ✓Latest management accounts or filed accounts
- ✓Sample invoices from your biggest customers
Need Cash Faster Than 3 Days?
If you genuinely cannot wait for invoice finance setup, you have other options - though they come with higher costs. A merchant cash advance can deliver funds in 1-3 days. A short-term business loan can arrive in 1-7 days. But for ongoing cash flow, invoice finance is almost always the better long-term solution. Consider using a short-term fix to bridge the gap while your invoice finance facility is being set up.
Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd
Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.
Last reviewed: 31 July 2026