Wise is a strong option for international transfers. As of April 2026, it uses the mid-market rate, charges a fixed fee plus a small variable percentage, and sends 65% of payments instantly. Wise also operates in over 160 countries as a licensed Electronic Money Institution (EMI). But is the service the best choice for your specific transfer? Our guide answers that.
Disclaimer: All further terms, rates, fees and conditions are collected on April 14th, and may change over time. To get the latest data, check Wise’s website.
Is Wise a bank?
Is Wise safe for international money transfers?
What countries and currencies are supported?
Which transfer methods are supported?
What are the transfer limits?
What is the Wise transfer fee structure?
Is the Wise rate good?
How fast is Wise?
How can I send money with Wise?
Is Wise a bank?
No, Wise is not a bank. It's an Electronic Money Institution (EMI). It doesn't hold a banking license and is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). That means no credit cards, loans, or overdrafts. Experts say:
“EMIs, often erroneously synonymous with banks, differ primarily in lending capabilities - a service banks provide but EMIs are prohibited from offering.” – Connecting the Dots in Fintech, February 2024
As an EMI, Wise lets you:
- Open multi-currency accounts
- Open business accounts
- Send and receive money
- Manage direct debits
- Use a debit card
- Earn returns by turning on interest (not guaranteed)
Wise covers everyday tasks – sending money to friends, shopping online, and paying abroad.
Is Wise safe for international money transfers?
Yes, Wise is safe for international money transfers. It holds 65+ licences worldwide and is regulated in every major market it operates in.
Here's how that looks in practice:
- In the UK, Wise is authorised by the FCA
- In the US, it is FinCEN-registered and regulated by the CFPB
- In Australia, Wise is authorised by ASIC
On the technical side, Wise uses two-step authentication, Face ID/Touch ID, encryption, and KYC verification. It also follows AML compliance rules and holds several security certifications: SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, PCI DSS, and ISO/IEC 27001.
Still not sure? Look at the numbers. Wise had 15.6 million active customers in 2025. Millions of people trust it every day:
'Supported by continued investment in our pricing, products, and in delivering excellent service, we onboarded over 5.9 million new customers this year (2025).' – David Wells, Chair, 2025 Annual Report and Accounts.
Independent security experts also weigh in on what makes a money transfer service trustworthy.
‘With 15.6 million active users worldwide and strict regulation from FinCEN, FCA and EU regulators, Wise has proven itself as a secure platform for international transfers.’ – GOBankingRates, August 2025
Still, always keep your guard up. Check who you're sending money to before you confirm a transfer. Scams do happen, and Wise cannot reverse a payment once it's sent.
What countries and currencies are supported?
Wise supports 40+ currencies and sends money to 160+ countries (as of 2026; coverage subject to change). Common currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, INR, BRL, and NGN. What's available depends on whether you're holding, sending, or receiving money.
The table below shows the countries and currencies you can send money to in 2026.
| Country | Supported currency | Payout method |
|---|---|---|
| USA | USD | Local (ACH/Wire) |
| Canada | CAD | Local (EFT) |
| Brazil | BRL | Local |
| Mexico | MXN | Local |
| Argentina | ARS | Local |
| Chile | CLP | Local |
| Colombia | COP | Local (Bancolombia only) |
| Costa Rica | CRC | Local |
| Peru | PEN | SWIFT (USD/EUR) |
| Uruguay | UYU | Local |
| Eurozone (20 countries*) | EUR | Local (SEPA) |
| United Kingdom | GBP | Local (FPS) |
| Switzerland / Liechtenstein | CHF | Local |
| Poland | PLN | Local |
| Ukraine | UAH | Local (PrivatBank) |
| Czech Republic | CZK | Local |
| Hungary | HUF | Local |
| Romania | RON | Local |
| Norway | NOK | Local |
| Sweden | SEK | Local |
| Denmark | DKK | Local |
| Bulgaria | BGN | Local |
| Turkey | TRY | Local |
| Georgia | GEL | Local |
| India | INR | Local (RTGS/NEFT) |
| China | CNY | Local (Alipay/UnionPay) |
| Japan | JPY | Local |
| Australia | AUD | Local |
| New Zealand | NZD | Local |
| Singapore | SGD | Local (FAST) |
| Hong Kong | HKD | Local |
| Malaysia | MYR | Local |
| Philippines | PHP | Local |
| Thailand | THB | Local |
| Indonesia | IDR | Local |
| Vietnam | VND | Local |
| South Korea | KRW | Local |
| Bangladesh | BDT | Local |
| Pakistan | PKR | Local |
| Sri Lanka | LKR | Local |
| Nepal | NPR | Local |
| Uzbekistan | USD / EUR | SWIFT transfers only |
| Kazakhstan | USD / EUR | SWIFT transfers only |
| United Arab Emirates | AED | Local |
| Israel | ILS | Local |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR | SWIFT (USD/EUR) |
| Qatar | QAR | SWIFT (USD/EUR) |
| Nigeria | NGN | Local |
| South Africa | ZAR | Local / SWIFT |
| Kenya | KES | Local (M-Pesa) |
| Egypt | EGP | Local |
| Ghana | GHS | Local |
| Morocco | MAD | Local |
| Uganda | UGX | Local |
| Tanzania | TZS | Local |
| Zambia | ZMW | Local |
*The Eurozone includes: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain.
Supported currencies change over time. The fastest way to check is to open your Wise account and look at what's available for your specific route.
Which transfer methods are supported?
Wise supports six main payment methods: bank transfer (ACH, Wire, SEPA, Faster Payments, and other local rails), debit or credit card, SWIFT transfer, Wise Balance, PISP/Open Banking (Trustly), and Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your available options may vary by location.
To receive money, most transfers arrive at a bank account. But Wise also supports:
- Mobile wallets: M-Pesa (Kenya), bKash (Bangladesh), Alipay (China), and others
- Visa and Mastercard cards
- Wise accounts
- Interac (Canada)
All methods related to international money transfers are destination-specific and may change over time.
What are the transfer limits?
Wise transfer limits range from $2,000/day (debit card, personal USD) to $20,000,000 per transfer (from Wise balance). Limits vary by currency, payment method, and account type. To save you time, here are the key limits for personal and business account transfers:
- EUR limits: Personal & business
| Payment method | Max per transfer | Account type |
|---|---|---|
| From Wise EUR balance | €20,000,000 | Both |
| Bank transfer (SEPA / Trustly) | €1,200,000 | Both |
| iDEAL (Netherlands) | €50,000 | Personal |
| Debit / credit card | €10,000 | Both |
| PISP / Open Banking | Varies by bank | Both |
Limits accurate as of April 2026; subject to change by Wise or local regulators
Sources: Guide to EUR transfers and Wise transfer limits: Everything you need to know.
- GBP limits: Personal & business account transfers
| Payment method | Max per transfer | Account type |
|---|---|---|
| From Wise GBP balance | £20,000,000 | Both |
| Standard bank transfer | £1,000,000 | Personal |
Limits accurate as of April 2026; subject to change by Wise or local regulators
Source: Complete guide to (Transfer)Wise limits in the UK
- USD limits: Personal account
| Payment method | Per transfer / per day |
|---|---|
| ACH bank debit | $50,000 / 24 hours |
| Debit / credit card | $2,000 / 24 hours |
| Wire from Wise USD balance | $20,000,000 |
| SWIFT from external bank | $1,600,000 |
| SWIFT from Wise balance | $20,000,000 |
Limits accurate as of April 2026; subject to change by Wise or local regulators
Source: Full guide to Wise limits
- USD limits: Business account
| Payment method | Per transfer / per day |
|---|---|
| Local ACH transfer | $1,000,000 |
| ACH bank debit | $100,000 / 24 hours |
| Debit / credit card | $2,000 / 24 hours |
| Wire from Wise USD balance | $20,000,000 |
| SWIFT from external bank | $1,600,000 |
Limits accurate as of April 2026; subject to change by Wise or local regulators
Source: Wise business account limits
- Nevada, American Samoa & Mariana Islands
| Limit type | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Per transfer / per day | $50,000 | Per 24 hours |
| Annual rolling cap | $250,000 | 12-month rolling |
| ACH bank debit | $10,000 | Per 24 hours |
| ACH 60-day rolling | $400,000 | 60-day period |
Limits accurate as of April 2026; subject to change by Wise or local regulators
Source: Full guide to Wise limits
Wise also has specific transfer limits for each of the currencies. To find yours, head to the currencies page and click on the one you need. You’ll see some regulations, tips, and limits regarding your pick. For example, you can send up to 1,000,000 BRL and 35,000,000 PKR per transfer – and each of the currencies has its own cap.
Note: You may face lower limits when creating your Wise account. To increase them, you must verify your identity and upload some additional documents. Additionally, there may be limits set by the transfer countries, so you should stay informed.
What is the Wise transfer fee structure?
Wise fees follow a simple formula: Total Cost = Fixed Fee + Variable Fee (%) + Local Charges.
Here is what each part means.
- Fixed fee component: Covers the technical cost of the transfer. On the site, you'll see it labeled as 'Bank transfer fee', 'Debit card fee', and so on.
- Variable fee component: A percentage-based fee based on the transfer amount. It covers the currency conversion at the mid-market rate.
- Local charges component: Taxes, dynamic charges, and any other location-specific fees.
Want to see real numbers? The table below shows what you'd pay on a £1,000 or €1,000 bank transfer to Pakistan, Ghana, Brazil, and Kyrgyzstan (as of April 14th, 2026; fees subject to change).
A few things stand out. Most routes have no fixed fee for bank transfers. The variable fee is the main cost driver. Local charges (taxes or dynamic fees) can add a meaningful amount on some corridors.
The exact fee depends on your currency pair, payment method, and country. Always check the Wise calculator before you send to see the live breakdown for your transfer.
Is the Wise rate good?
Wise uses the mid-market rate and adds a variable fee on top. For example, bank transfers from GBP or EUR to currencies such as PKR, GHS, BRL, and KGS carry variable fees ranging from 0.69% to 2.03% (based on rates collected April 14th, 2026; subject to change).
But don’t trust the rate blindly and remember to check on competitors. Before you hit "send," use a neutral comparison tool or check the same amount on 2–3 different apps. In 2026, the difference on a $1,000 transfer can often be as much as $15–$20 simply because one service is running a promotion on your specific currency.
How fast is Wise?
Most Wise transfers are fast. According to Wise's 2025 report, 65% of payments were instant. 86% arrived within one hour, but actual speed vary by payment method:
| Method | Speed |
|---|---|
| Wise Balance | Instant |
| Debit/credit card | Instant to 30 min |
| Apple/Google Pay | Instant to 30 min |
| Online banking (PISP) | Instant to 1 hour |
| Direct debit (ACH - US) | 2–4 business days |
| Bank transfer (Manual) | 1–3 business days |
Transfer speeds are estimates; actual delivery may vary
You just saw typical times, but delays can happen. The fastest option is paying from your Wise Balance, while bank transfers are the slowest.
How can I send money with Wise?
You can send money with Wise in 5 steps – takes as little as 2 minutes:
- Calculate: Enter your amount and target currency on the Wise home page.
- Add the recipient: Enter their bank details. If they use Wise, their email or phone number works too.
- Verify: First-time users confirm their identity with a photo ID. It takes just a few minutes.
- Pay: Choose your funding method (Bank transfer, card, or Wise Balance).
- Done: Track the international money transfer in your app until it lands.
You can find a full walkthrough on the Wise YouTube account.
