Moving money from Wise to your bank account takes 1 to 3 business days and costs nothing if you transfer to a bank in your home country
Wise (formerly TransferWise) holds your money in a digital wallet until you move it somewhere else. To get it into your regular bank account, you initiate a withdrawal from Wise and tell it which bank account to send the money to. Wise then processes the transfer and your bank receives the funds. The speed and cost depend on which country your bank is in and what type of transfer you choose.
The process itself is straightforward: you log into your Wise account, find the withdrawal or transfer option, select your bank account as the destination, confirm the amount, and submit. Wise will show you exactly how long the transfer will take before you confirm. Most transfers to accounts in the same country as your Wise account are free and arrive within one business day.
Key Takeaways
- Transfers from Wise to a bank account in your home country are usually free and take 1 to 3 business days.
- You need to add your bank account to Wise first by providing your account number, routing number (in the US), and other details Wise requests.
- Wise shows you the exact fee and arrival time before you confirm the transfer, so you can see the cost upfront.
- International transfers from Wise to a bank in a different country may have a fee and take longer, depending on the destination country.
Adding your bank account to Wise
Before you can transfer money out, you need to tell Wise which bank account to send it to. Open the Wise app or website, go to your account settings, and look for "Linked accounts" or "Bank accounts." Choose "Add a new account" and select your country.
Wise will ask for your account number and routing number (in the US) or the equivalent details for your country. For a US bank account, your routing number is a nine-digit code your bank provides — you can find it on a check, in your online banking portal, or by calling your bank. Your account number is the number on your checks or in your banking app. Enter both carefully, because a mistake will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong place.
Wise may verify the account by sending a small test deposit (usually under $1) to your bank, then asking you to confirm the amount. This takes a few days but happens only once per account. After verification, the account is ready to use.
Starting a withdrawal from Wise
Once your bank account is linked, go to your Wise balance and select the currency you want to withdraw. Click "Send money" or "Withdraw," then choose your linked bank account as the destination. Enter the amount you want to transfer.
Wise will display the fee (if any), the exchange rate (if you are converting currency), and the estimated arrival date. Review these details carefully. If you are transferring in the same currency to a bank in your home country, the fee is usually zero. If you are converting currency or sending internationally, there will be a fee — Wise shows it before you confirm, so you know exactly what you are paying.
Confirm the transfer. Wise will send you a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to check on the transfer later.
How long the transfer takes
Transfers to a bank account in the same country as your Wise account typically arrive within 1 business day. Some arrive the same day if you send them early in the morning on a weekday. Weekends and bank holidays can add time, so a transfer sent on Friday afternoon may not arrive until Tuesday.
International transfers (to a bank in a different country) take longer — usually 2 to 4 business days — because the money has to move through multiple banks in different countries. The exact time depends on the destination country and its banking system.
You can track your transfer in the Wise app or website. Go to your activity or transaction history and click on the transfer to see its current status and expected arrival date.
What to do if the transfer fails or is delayed
If your transfer does not arrive by the estimated date, check the transaction status in Wise first. If Wise shows the transfer was sent successfully, the delay is usually on your bank's end — contact your bank and give them the reference number from Wise. Your bank can trace the transfer and tell you where it is.
If Wise shows the transfer failed, the most common reason is an incorrect account number or routing number. Wise will usually send you a notification explaining why. Correct the bank account details in your Wise settings and try again. The money stays in your Wise account until the transfer succeeds, so you have not lost it.
If you need help, Wise has a support chat in the app and website. They can see your transaction history and tell you exactly what went wrong.
Transferring to a bank account in a different country
If your Wise account is in one country but you want to send money to a bank in a different country, Wise can do this, but it works differently than a domestic transfer. You will pay a fee and the transfer will take longer.
The fee depends on the destination country. Some countries have cheaper international corridors than others. Wise shows the fee before you confirm, so you can decide whether it is worth it. For example, sending from the US to the UK might cost $1 to $3, while sending to some other countries might cost more.
You still add the bank account the same way — by providing the account number and other details Wise requests for that country. The process is identical; the only difference is the fee and the longer arrival time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Wise to any bank account?
You can transfer to most banks in most countries, but some smaller banks or credit unions may not be supported. When you try to add your bank account, Wise will tell you if it is compatible. If your bank is not supported, you may be able to use a different account or contact Wise support for alternatives.
Do I have to pay a fee to move money from Wise to my bank?
Transfers to a bank in the same country as your Wise account are free. International transfers have a fee that varies by destination country. Wise shows the exact fee before you confirm, so you always know what you are paying.
Why is my transfer taking longer than expected?
Delays usually happen on your bank's end, not Wise's. Check the transaction status in Wise to confirm it was sent. If Wise shows it was sent successfully, contact your bank with the reference number and ask them to trace it. Weekends and holidays can also add time.
What if I entered the wrong bank account number?
If you realize the mistake before confirming, cancel the transfer and correct the account number in your Wise settings. If you already confirmed, contact Wise support when ready with the reference number. They can sometimes stop the transfer or help recover the money if it went to the wrong account.
Can I set up automatic transfers from Wise to my bank?
Wise does not currently offer automatic recurring transfers. You have to initiate each transfer manually through the app or website. However, the process takes only a few minutes once your bank account is linked.