Moving money from Wise to a bank account takes 1 to 3 business days, depending on which country you're sending to and whether you're using a standard transfer or an when ready option
Wise (formerly TransferWise) holds your money in a digital wallet until you move it out. You can send it to any bank account you own, or to someone else's account if you set up a recipient. The process itself is straightforward: you log in, choose the amount, pick your destination bank, and confirm. The real variables are the speed tier you choose and whether your receiving bank processes transfers quickly.
Most transfers land within 1 to 3 business days. Some countries offer next-business-day or same-day options for an extra fee. If you're moving money internationally, the receiving country's banking system matters as much as Wise's speed — a transfer to the UK usually arrives faster than one to certain other regions, straightforward because UK banks process inbound transfers faster.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Wise account, go to the Send Money or Balances section, and select the bank account where you want the money to land.
- Wise shows you the exact arrival date before you confirm, so you know whether it will arrive in 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days.
- Standard transfers are free; faster options (same-day or next-day) charge a fee that Wise displays upfront.
- The receiving bank must be in your name, or you must have set up a recipient profile for the account holder beforehand.
- If a transfer doesn't arrive within the promised timeframe, contact Wise support with your transfer reference number and the receiving bank's details.
Step-by-step: sending money from Wise to your bank
Open the Wise app or website and log in. On the home screen, look for a button labeled "Send Money" or "Balances" — the exact label depends on whether you're using the app or desktop version, but both lead to the same place.
Select the currency and amount you want to move. If your Wise balance is in multiple currencies (for example, USD and GBP), choose which one you're withdrawing from. Enter the amount in that currency.
Choose your destination country and currency. Wise will show you the exchange rate if you're converting, or confirm the amount if you're sending the same currency. Then select "Bank Transfer" as your method — this is the standard option for moving money to a personal bank account.
Enter or select the receiving bank account. If this is the first time you're sending to this account, you'll need to provide the account holder's name, the bank name, and the account number or IBAN (depending on the country). Wise validates the details before you proceed. If you've sent to this account before, it will appear in your saved recipients and you can select it directly.
Review the arrival date and any fees. Wise displays exactly when the money will land — for example, "Arrives by Tuesday, 14 January" — and whether there are any fees for a faster option. Standard transfers have no fee. Confirm and complete the transfer.
How long transfers actually take, by destination
The timeline depends on where the receiving bank is located. Wise processes the transfer on its end within hours, but the receiving bank's processing speed is what determines when you see the money.
| Destination | Typical timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK (GBP) | 1 business day | UK banks process inbound transfers quickly; often arrives same day if sent before 2 PM UK time. |
| US (USD) | 1 to 2 business days | Depends on the receiving bank; some process ACH transfers overnight, others take 2 days. |
| EU (EUR) | 1 to 2 business days | SEPA transfers within the EU are usually next-business-day; some banks process faster. |
| Canada (CAD) | 1 to 2 business days | Most Canadian banks process EFT transfers within 24 hours. |
| Australia (AUD) | 1 to 2 business days | Depends on the receiving bank; some offer same-day processing. |
| Other countries | 2 to 5 business days | Varies widely; Wise shows the exact date before you confirm. |
Wise always tells you the arrival date before you hit confirm, so you're never guessing. If you need the money faster, Wise offers paid speed-up options in some countries — typically next-business-day or same-day for a flat fee of £1 to £5 or equivalent.
What happens if the transfer doesn't arrive on time
If the money doesn't land by the date Wise promised, the first step is to check your receiving bank's transaction history. Sometimes a transfer shows as pending for a day longer than expected, especially if it arrives outside business hours or on a weekend.
If more than one business day has passed beyond the promised date, log into Wise, find the transfer in your history, and open the details. You'll see a reference number (usually starting with a letter and followed by numbers). Contact Wise support through the app or website and provide this reference number, the receiving bank's name, and the account number or IBAN you sent to.
Wise will investigate on its end and, if the transfer was sent correctly, will contact the receiving bank to track it down. In rare cases, a transfer can get stuck in the receiving bank's system — this is not Wise's fault, but Wise can help push it through. If the money was genuinely lost, Wise will refund it to your Wise balance.
Fees and exchange rates for bank transfers
Standard bank transfers from Wise to your account have no fee. You pay only the exchange rate margin if you're converting currencies — this is how Wise makes money, and the margin is typically 0.5% to 1.5% depending on the currency pair. Wise shows you the exact rate and any margin before you confirm.
If you choose a faster delivery option (same-day or next-day), Wise charges a flat fee on top of the exchange rate. This fee varies by destination and speed tier — for example, next-day delivery to the US might cost £1.50, while same-day costs more. Wise displays the fee clearly before you confirm, so you can decide whether the speed is worth it.
Some receiving banks may charge their own fee for receiving an inbound transfer, but this is rare for personal accounts in major countries. If your bank does charge a fee, it will deduct it from the amount you receive, and you'll see it reflected in your bank statement.
Setting up a recipient account for someone else
If you want to send money from Wise to a bank account in someone else's name, you need to set them up as a recipient first. In the Wise app or website, go to your settings or the recipients section and select "Add Recipient." Enter the account holder's name, the bank details, and their country.
Wise will validate the details. Once confirmed, you can send money to that recipient whenever you want — you won't have to re-enter their information each time. This is useful if you regularly send money to a family member, a business partner, or a contractor.
Keep in mind that the account must belong to the person you're sending to. Wise has fraud checks in place, and sending money to an account in someone else's name without their knowledge can trigger a review or block.
Troubleshooting common issues
The transfer won't go through because of account validation. Wise checks that the account number and IBAN match the account holder's name. If they don't, the transfer will be rejected. Double-check the account number, IBAN, and name against your bank statement or your recipient's bank details. A single digit wrong will cause a rejection.
You see a "Recipient not found" error. This usually means the account details don't match the receiving bank's records. Ask your recipient to confirm their account number and IBAN directly from their bank app or statement, not from memory. Some banks also require a specific format for the account number (for example, with or without leading zeros).
The transfer is stuck as "pending" for more than 2 days. Contact Wise support with the transfer reference number. Wise can check whether the receiving bank has received it and is processing it, or whether it's stuck in Wise's queue. In most cases, Wise can resolve this within 24 hours.
You sent money to the wrong account. If the transfer has already been sent, contact Wise support when ready with the transfer reference number. Wise cannot reverse a transfer that has already left its system, but it can work with the receiving bank to attempt a recall. Success depends on whether the receiving bank has already credited the account and whether the recipient is willing to return the money. The faster you act, the better the chance of recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Wise to a joint bank account?
Yes, as long as the account is in both names or you have permission from the account holder. Enter the account details as they appear on the bank statement. Some banks require both names on the account; others accept the primary account holder's name. If Wise rejects it, ask your bank whether the account can receive transfers in a single name.
What if my bank account is in a different currency than my Wise balance?
Wise will convert the money at its exchange rate and send it to your account in the local currency. For example, if you have USD in Wise and send it to a GBP account in the UK, Wise converts USD to GBP and your bank receives the amount in pounds. The exchange rate and any margin are shown before you confirm.
Do I need to verify my bank account before I can transfer money to it?
No. Wise does not require you to verify ownership of the receiving account. However, if you're sending a large amount or if Wise's fraud system flags the transfer, Wise may ask you to confirm the account details or provide additional information. This is rare for transfers to accounts in your own name.
Can I schedule a transfer to happen on a specific date?
Wise does not offer scheduled transfers. You can only send money when ready. If you need to send money on a specific date, you can set a reminder to log in and initiate the transfer on that day.
What's the maximum amount I can transfer from Wise to my bank account?
Wise does not publish a single maximum transfer amount. Your limit depends on your account history, the amount of money in your Wise balance, and your receiving bank's limits. If you try to send more than your limit allows, Wise will tell you the maximum for that transfer. You can contact Wise support to request a higher limit if you have an established account history.