How to Open a Wise Account — Step by Step Guide (2026)

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is one of the cheapest and most trusted platforms for international money transfers. With over 16 million customers worldwide and transfers to 160+ countries, it’s the go-to choice for anyone who wants to send or receive money internationally without paying high bank fees.

In this guide, we walk you through exactly how to open a Wise account — from registration to your first transfer — in simple, clear steps.

Money Transfers Wise Beginners Guide

Quick Summary: Opening a Wise account takes about 5 minutes. You need an email address, phone number, and a photo ID. Verification usually completes within a few hours — and your first transfer can be done the same day.

Why Open a Wise Account?

Feature	Wise	Traditional Bank
Exchange Rate	✅ Real mid-market rate	❌ 3–5% markup
Transfer Fee	✅ 0.33%–0.6%	❌ $15–$50 flat fee
Transfer Speed	✅ Minutes to hours	❌ 3–5 business days
Multi-currency Account	✅ Hold 50+ currencies	❌ Usually 1 currency
Local Bank Details	✅ US, UK, EU, AU etc.	❌ Not available
Monthly Fee	✅ Free	❌ Often $10–$25/month

What You Need to Open a Wise Account

Before you start, make sure you have these ready:

A valid email address
A phone number (for verification)
A government-issued photo ID (passport, driving licence, or national ID)
A selfie or short video (for identity verification)
A few minutes of your time!

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Passport
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National ID Card
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Driving Licence
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Phone Number

Step-by-Step: How to Open a Wise Account

1Go to Wise.com and Click “Register”

Visit wise.com and click the “Register” or “Sign Up” button in the top right corner. You can also use our link below to get your first transfer fee-free.

💡 Tip: Use our affiliate link to sign up — you may get your first transfer for free!
2Choose How to Sign Up

Wise gives you three options to create your account:

📧 Email address (recommended)
🔵 Facebook account
🔴 Google account

Enter your email and create a strong password. Then click “Continue”.

3Enter Your Personal Details

Fill in your basic information:

Full legal name (as it appears on your ID)
Date of birth
Home address
Phone number

⚠️ Important: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your ID. Mismatches can delay verification.
4Verify Your Email Address

Wise will send a verification email to the address you entered. Open your inbox and click the confirmation link. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within 2 minutes.

5Verify Your Identity (ID Upload)

This is a one-time step required by financial regulations. You’ll need to:

Select your ID type (passport, national ID, or driving licence)
Upload a clear photo of the front (and back if required)
Take a selfie or short video to confirm your identity

Wise uses automated verification — most accounts are verified within a few hours, sometimes instantly.

6Your Account is Ready! 🎉

Once verified, you have full access to your Wise account. You can now:

Send money to 160+ countries
Get local bank account details (USD, GBP, EUR, AUD)
Hold and convert 50+ currencies
Order a Wise debit card (available in most countries)

🚀 Open Your Free Wise Account Now

Takes 5 minutes. No monthly fees. Real exchange rates.

Open Wise Account — Free

ID Verification — What to Expect

Wise is a regulated financial institution, so identity verification is legally required. Here’s what the process looks like:

Verification Type	Time	What’s Needed
Instant (automated)	A few seconds	Clear ID photo + selfie
Standard	A few hours	Same as above
Manual review	Up to 2 business days	May request additional documents

💡 Tips for faster verification:

Use a well-lit room for your selfie
Make sure your ID photo is sharp and all text is readable
Don’t cover any part of your face in the selfie
Use your passport for fastest processing

How to Make Your First Transfer on Wise

1Click “Send Money”

From your Wise dashboard, click “Send money”. Enter the amount you want to send and select the currencies (e.g., USD → EUR).

2See the Exact Fee Upfront

Wise shows you the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm — no hidden charges. You’ll see exactly how much the recipient will receive.

3Add Recipient Details

Enter your recipient’s bank account details — name, account number, and routing/IBAN/SWIFT code depending on the destination country.

4Pay and Track

Pay via bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Once sent, you can track your transfer in real time from your Wise dashboard or the mobile app.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wise free to use?

Opening a Wise account is completely free. You only pay a small fee when you send money — typically 0.33%–0.6% of the transfer amount. There are no monthly fees or hidden charges.

How long does Wise verification take?

Most accounts are verified within a few hours. In some cases it can take up to 2 business days if manual review is needed. Using a passport and good lighting speeds up the process.

Can I open a Wise account from any country?

Wise is available in 160+ countries. However, some features like the multi-currency account and debit card may not be available in all regions. Check wise.com for your country’s availability.

Is Wise safe?

Yes. Wise is regulated by financial authorities in every country it operates, including the FCA (UK), FinCEN (USA), and the Central Bank of Ireland (EU). Your money is held in safeguarded accounts separate from Wise’s own funds.

What is the difference between Wise personal and business account?

A personal account is for individual use — sending money to family, friends, or paying bills abroad. A Wise Business account is designed for companies and freelancers who receive payments from clients internationally, with additional features like batch payments and accounting integrations.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are our own.