The basic path: your bank sends the money to Wise's account
To transfer money from your bank to Wise, you initiate a standard bank transfer from your own bank's website or app. Your bank sends the funds to Wise's bank account—the details depend on your country and currency. Wise receives the money in their account, matches it to your Wise profile, and converts or holds it there depending on what you asked for. The whole process typically takes one to three business days, though the exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed and which country the money is moving through.
You do not need to create anything special or add Wise as a payee in advance, though most banks let you save the details for future transfers. The transfer works the same way as sending money to anyone else's bank account—you just need Wise's correct bank details for your currency and country.
Key Takeaways
- You initiate the transfer from your own bank's app or website, sending money to Wise's bank account using the details Wise provides for your currency.
- Wise's bank details vary by currency and country, so you must use the correct set or the money may be delayed or rejected.
- The transfer takes one to three business days depending on your bank and the countries involved, not including weekends or holidays.
- Once Wise receives the money, it appears in your Wise account in the currency you sent, and you can then convert it or send it elsewhere.
- Your bank may charge a fee for the outgoing transfer, separate from any Wise fees.
Where to find Wise's bank details for your transfer
Log into your Wise account and go to the section for receiving money or adding funds. Wise displays the bank account details you need for your specific currency—usually your account number, routing number or sort code, and the bank name and address. These details are specific to the currency you are sending. If you are sending US dollars, for example, you get US bank details. If you are sending British pounds, you get UK bank details.
Copy these details exactly as Wise shows them. Banks are strict about account numbers and routing codes—even a single digit wrong can cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong account. Some banks let you copy the details directly from Wise into your transfer form, which reduces the chance of a typo.
How to send the money from your bank
Open your bank's app or website and look for "Send Money," "Make a Transfer," or "Pay Someone." Select the option for a domestic transfer (since you are sending to a bank account in the same country as the currency). Enter Wise's bank details exactly as they appear in your Wise account: the account number, routing or sort code, bank name, and account holder name.
In the reference or memo field, enter your Wise account email address or the reference code Wise provides. This tells Wise which account the money belongs to when it arrives. Without this, Wise may not know who sent the money and could hold it while they investigate.
Enter the amount you want to send, review the details, and confirm. Your bank will show you a confirmation number. Save this—you will need it if the transfer takes longer than expected or if something goes wrong.
What happens while the money is in transit
Once you send the transfer, your bank deducts the money from your account when ready. The funds then move through your bank's processing system, usually reaching Wise within one business day for transfers within the same country. If you are sending from a different country, add one to two more business days for international clearing.
Your bank may charge a fee for sending the money—this is separate from Wise's fees and varies by bank. Some banks charge a flat fee (typically $5 to $15 for domestic transfers), while others charge a percentage of the amount. Check your bank's fee schedule before you transfer so you know what to expect.
You can track the transfer in your bank's app by looking at recent transactions. Once it shows as "sent" or "complete," the money is on its way to Wise. Wise will notify you by email when the money arrives in their account.
When the money arrives in your Wise account
Wise receives the transfer and credits it to your account in the currency you sent. If you sent US dollars, the money sits in your Wise USD balance. From there, you can convert it to another currency at Wise's exchange rate, hold it, or send it to another bank account. You are not required to convert it when ready—Wise lets you keep balances in multiple currencies and move them whenever you choose.
If you set up the transfer to convert automatically (some Wise accounts offer this option), the conversion happens as soon as the money arrives. Otherwise, you convert manually through your Wise account whenever you are ready.
Timing: what to expect at each stage
| Stage | Typical time | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| You initiate the transfer | when ready to a few hours | Your bank's processing; time of day you send |
| Money leaves your bank account | Same day to next business day | Your bank's cut-off time; weekends and holidays |
| Money reaches Wise | 1 to 3 business days total | Domestic vs. international; both banks' processing speeds |
| Money appears in your Wise account | Minutes after Wise receives it | Wise's automated matching system |
Weekends and bank holidays add time to every step. If you send money on a Friday evening, it may not leave your bank until Monday, and may not reach Wise until Wednesday or Thursday. Plan accordingly if you need the money by a specific date.
What can go wrong and how to fix it
The most common problem is a typo in Wise's bank details. If you enter the account number or routing code incorrectly, your bank may reject the transfer or send it to the wrong account. Your bank will usually notify you within a few days if this happens. If the money went to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready—they can sometimes recall the transfer, but the longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
Another issue is a missing or incorrect reference code. If you did not include your Wise email or the reference Wise provided, the money may arrive at Wise's bank but Wise will not know which account it belongs to. Contact Wise support with your bank's confirmation number and the amount you sent. Wise can usually match it manually, but this adds a few days to the process.
If the transfer does not appear in your Wise account after three business days, check your bank's transaction history to confirm it actually sent. If it shows as sent, contact Wise support with your confirmation number. If it shows as pending or failed, contact your bank to find out why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to Wise from any bank?
Yes, any bank that allows outgoing transfers can send to Wise. You do not need special permission or a partnership between your bank and Wise. Wise is just another bank account from your bank's perspective.
Do I have to convert the money once it reaches Wise?
No. The money can sit in your Wise account in the currency you sent it. You convert it only when you choose to, and you can hold balances in multiple currencies at once. There is no fee for holding money in Wise.
What if my bank asks what the transfer is for?
Tell them you are transferring money to your own Wise account. Banks sometimes ask this for compliance reasons. Wise is a regulated financial institution, so this is a straightforward answer.
Is there a limit to how much I can send to Wise?
Your bank may have daily or monthly transfer limits, and Wise may have limits based on your account verification level. Check both before you send a large amount. You can always split a large transfer into multiple smaller ones if needed.
Why is my transfer taking longer than three days?
Delays usually happen because of weekends or holidays, a missing reference code, or your bank's processing queue. Less often, your bank may hold the transfer for compliance review. Contact your bank first to confirm it actually sent, then contact Wise if it has been more than five business days.