The basic process: Wise sends the money directly to your bank
When you transfer money from Wise to your bank account, Wise initiates a bank-to-bank transfer on your behalf. The money goes directly from Wise's bank to the bank account you've registered — you don't receive it as a check or cash first. The transfer typically takes one to four business days, depending on which country your bank is in and whether it's a weekend or holiday.
Before you can transfer out, you need to have money sitting in your Wise account. This money usually came from you sending it in (from your own bank or card), receiving it from someone else, or converting it from another currency using Wise's exchange service. Once that balance exists, you can move it to any bank account you've added to your Wise profile.
Key Takeaways
- You can only transfer money from Wise to a bank account that you've already added and verified in your Wise profile.
- The transfer goes directly from Wise to your bank and usually arrives in one to four business days, depending on your country.
- Wise charges a small fee for transfers out, which varies by currency and destination country — you'll see the exact amount before you confirm.
- If you're transferring to a bank account in a different country, you may need to provide additional details like an IBAN or SWIFT code.
- Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays typically process on the next business day.
Adding and verifying a bank account in Wise
Before Wise will send money to your bank account, you need to add it to your profile and verify that you own it. Open the Wise app or website, go to your settings or profile section, and look for "Bank accounts" or "Recipient accounts." Select the option to add a new account.
Wise will ask for your account holder name (the name on the account), your account number, and routing number or IBAN — the exact details depend on which country the account is in. If you're adding a US account, you'll need the nine-digit routing number and your account number. For accounts outside the US, Wise usually asks for an IBAN (a longer code used in Europe and many other countries) or a SWIFT code plus account number.
After you enter these details, Wise verifies the account by sending one or two small test deposits (usually under $1) to your bank. Your bank will show these deposits in your account within a few days. You then return to Wise and confirm the amounts you received. Once verified, that account is ready to receive transfers.
Starting a transfer from Wise to your bank account
Open Wise and look for a "Send money" or "Transfer" button. Select the account you want to transfer from (if you hold multiple currencies in Wise, you'll choose which one). Then select the bank account you want the money to go to — this will be one of the accounts you've already verified.
Enter the amount you want to transfer. Wise will show you the fee it charges for that transfer, which is deducted from the amount you're sending. For example, if you transfer $500 and the fee is $3, your bank account will receive $497. Review the fee and the arrival date estimate, then confirm the transfer.
Once you confirm, the transfer is locked in. Wise will show you a reference number and the expected arrival date. You can usually check the status of the transfer in your Wise app or account dashboard.
How long the transfer takes and what affects timing
Most transfers from Wise to a bank account in the same country arrive within one business day. Transfers to other countries typically take two to four business days. A business day is any weekday that is not a public holiday in either the country Wise operates from or the country your bank is in.
If you initiate a transfer on a Friday evening, over a weekend, or on a public holiday, it usually won't process until the next business day. Some banks also take longer to receive and process incoming transfers — this is outside Wise's control. If your bank is small or in a country with slower banking infrastructure, the transfer may take the full four days even if Wise sends it when ready.
You can see the estimated arrival date before you confirm the transfer. If that date passes and the money hasn't arrived, contact Wise support with your transfer reference number. They can check whether the money left their account and where it is in the banking system.
Fees Wise charges for transfers out
Wise charges a fee for every transfer you make out to a bank account. The fee varies based on the currency you're transferring and the country it's going to. Wise shows you the exact fee before you confirm — there are no hidden charges added later.
The fee is typically lower than what a traditional bank charges for international transfers, but it's not zero. For transfers within the same country (for example, US bank account to US bank account), the fee is usually smaller than for transfers across borders. Wise publishes its fee structure on its website, and you can check the current rates for your specific transfer before you commit.
What to do if the transfer doesn't arrive
If the money hasn't arrived by the estimated date, first check your bank account carefully — sometimes transfers appear under a different name or take longer than expected. If it's been more than four business days and the money still isn't there, open Wise and find the transfer in your transaction history. Note the reference number and the date you sent it.
Contact Wise support through the app or website and provide the reference number. Wise can confirm whether the money left their account and, if it did, trace where it is in the banking system. If the transfer was sent to the wrong account details, Wise may be able to recall it, but this depends on how far the money has traveled through the banking network.
If you provided incorrect account details (wrong routing number, for example), the money may be rejected by your bank and returned to Wise. Wise will notify you if this happens, and you can then initiate a new transfer with the correct details.
Transferring money in a currency Wise doesn't hold
If you have money in Wise in one currency but want to transfer it to a bank account that uses a different currency, Wise can convert it for you as part of the transfer. For example, you might hold euros in Wise but want to send the money to a US bank account in dollars.
When you select your destination bank account, Wise will show you the exchange rate it's using and the conversion fee. The total fee (conversion plus transfer fee) will be shown before you confirm. This is usually cheaper than converting the money separately and then transferring it, because you're doing both in one step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Wise to someone else's bank account?
No. Wise only allows you to transfer money to bank accounts that are registered in your own name in your Wise profile. You cannot send money directly to another person's account. If you need to send money to someone else, you would need to transfer it to your own bank account first, then send it from there to them.
What if I enter the wrong bank account details?
Wise will ask you to verify new bank account details before you can transfer to them, so you have a chance to catch mistakes during setup. If you've already verified an account and realize the details are wrong, add the correct account to your profile and verify it, then use that account for future transfers. If you've already sent money to the wrong account, contact Wise when ready with your transfer reference number — they may be able to recall it depending on how far it has traveled.
Do I need to do anything special to transfer to a bank account in another country?
You'll need to provide the correct international bank details — usually an IBAN or a combination of SWIFT code and account number, depending on the country. Wise will tell you which details it needs when you add the account. Make sure you have these details correct before you verify the account, because incorrect international details can cause transfers to fail or go to the wrong place.
Can I cancel a transfer after I've sent it?
Once you confirm a transfer, it's usually too late to cancel it. Wise processes transfers quickly, often within minutes. If you realize you made a mistake when ready after sending, contact Wise support right away with your transfer reference number — they may be able to stop it if it hasn't left their system yet. The longer you wait, the less likely they can retrieve it.
Why is my transfer taking longer than the estimated date?
Delays usually happen because of weekends, public holidays, or your receiving bank processing transfers slowly. Some banks batch incoming transfers and process them once a day, which can add a day or two. If it's been more than four business days, contact Wise with your reference number so they can trace where the money is in the banking system.