How to get a Wise card – Step by step guide
A Wise international debit card is linked to a multi-currency Wise account which allows you to hold, exchange and send 50+ currencies.
Use your Wise card to spend in 170+ countries, make convenient cash withdrawals and to pay online or in person, with all currency exchange using the mid-market exchange rate, plus no foreign transaction fee to worry about whenever you spend any currency you hold.
That makes the Wise card a great way to manage your foreign currency spending, with low, transparent fees and fair exchange rates every time.
How to get a Wise card step by step
To order a Wise international debit card you’ll first need to register a Wise account. This is free for personal customers and can be done entirely online or in the Wise app. Once you have your Wise account you can order a debit card, for convenient delivery to your home address.
Here’s how to open a Wise account step by step:
- Visit the Wise website or app and click on Create account
- Enter your email address
- Confirm the type of account you want to open – personal or business
- Select your main country of residence
- Verify your mobile number with a code
- Create your password for security
Once your Wise account is set up, you’ll be able to tap the Card tab and follow the prompts to order your Wise card. You’ll need to pay a one time 9 USD fee, confirm your personal details and upload some documents for security.
How to activate your Wise card
If you’re ordering your Wise card from the US you’ll need to activate it in the US before you can start using it. Here’s what to do:
- Visit the Wise website or app and log in
- Tap Card and choose Activate your card
- Enter the 6 digit code that’s shown on your card
- Set a PIN for security
Can you get a Wise card in the US?
Yes. The Wise card is available in the US, and can also be ordered by Wise customers in a broad selection of other countries and regions, including the UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia and most EEA countries.
How much does the Wise card cost?
There’s no annual or monthly fee for the Wise card – just a one time 9 USD charge to order your physical card. Once you’ve got your card you can spend any currency you hold with no foreign transaction fee. If you’re spending in a foreign currency and you don’t hold the balance you need, the card’s smart autoconvert technology can change your money to the currency required for a low fee from 0.41%.
Up to 2 Wise card ATM withdrawals, to the value of 100 USD are free every month. After that you’ll pay 2% of the withdrawal value + 1.5 USD per withdrawal.
Learn more about Wise fees.
Is it worth getting a Wise card?
The Wise card can be a smart way to manage your foreign currency spending in person and online. Hold 50+ currencies in your Wise account and spend any currency you have for free, avoiding bank foreign transaction fees. There’s no ongoing charge to pay, and no minimum balance to worry about, so you can just use your Wise card and account whenever you need to. Here are some of the advantages you’ll get with a Wise card:
- No annual or ongoing fees to pay
- Spend in 170+ countries, with no foreign transaction fee
- Free ATM withdrawals to 100 USD/month, with low fees after that
- Manage your card from the Wise app to freeze, unfreeze or cancel
Read also: Wise card review
How long does it take to get a Wise card?
Your physical Wise card will arrive in the mail to the address linked to your Wise accoun. Wise card usually gets delivered within 14 to 21 days.
How does the Wise card work in the US?
You can hold 50+ currencies in your Wise account, and use your card all over the world to spend and make withdrawals. There’s no fee to spend if you hold the currency balance you need – and if you don’t have the currency you need in your account, the Wise card will automatically convert the amount for you.
The conversion will be managed from whichever available currency account has the cheapest conversion fee, so there’s no need to worry about converting money before traveling as you’ll know you’ll always get the lowest fee every time you spend.
Read also: How does Wise work? Step-by-step guide
How to replace or cancel your Wise card
If you need to replace your card at any time, you can do so from the Wise app or desktop site. Here’s how to replace your Wise card in the Wise app:
- Tap the Card tab and then Replace card
- Choose the reason you’re replacing your card, from the options on screen
- Tap Replacement card
If you’re looking to cancel your Wise card entirely you can do so by getting in touch with Wise support using the chat function in the app.
Is the Wise card safe to use?
Yes, Wise card is safe to use. Generally it’s considered safer to use a card for spending and cash withdrawals when you travel, as opposed to carrying large amounts of cash.
Plus, Wise cards can easily be managed, frozen or blocked from the Wise app if you ever need to do so. You’ll get instant transaction notifications in your Wise app whenever your card is used, so it’s easy to keep on top of managing your money no matter where you are.
Learn more: Is Wise safe to use?
How to get a Wise virtual card
Wise customers in many regions can order a Wise virtual card along with the physical Wise card, for spending online and in person using a mobile wallet like Apple Pay.
Virtual cards are not available at the time of writing for Wise US customers. If this feature is available in your Wise account, you’ll be able to generate a virtual card from within the Wise app.
Conclusion on getting a Wise debit card
A Wise debit card is easy to order, and can offer great international and multi-currency features including low cost currency conversion and convenient spending in 170+ countries. Simply open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and order your Wise card there.
There’s no fee to spend any currency you hold – and Wise accounts can hold a pretty impressive 50+ currencies. If you don’t have the currency you need the Wise card will automatically convert your balance with low fees from 0.41%. That means you avoid the foreign transaction fees usually added by banks, so your money could go further when you spend internationally.
How to get a Wise card FAQ
How do I get a Wise debit card?
You can order a Wise debit card by registering a free Wise account online or on the Wise app. Registering a Wise account is a pretty straightforward process, and then you’ll be able to order your Wise debit card by logging into your account, adding some ID and paying a one time fee of 9 USD.
Can I get a Wise card in the US?
Yes. The Wise international debit card is available in the US and a selection of other countries and regions, including the UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia and most EEA countries.
Does Wise give you a card?
Yes. You can order a Wise card which is linked to your Wise account, online or in the Wise app.
How much does the Wise card cost?
There’s a one time 9 USD fee to order the Wise card in the US. Once you have your card it’s free to spend any currency you hold, and you can withdraw up to 100 USD/month fee free, with low ATM fees after that. Learn more: How to withdraw money from Wise card.
How long does it take to get a Wise card?
Your Wise card will arrive in 14 – 21 days if you’ve ordered for delivery to a US address.
Is it free to get a Wise card?
There’s a one time fee of 9 USD to order a Wise card in the US, with no annual or monthly fees to worry about after that.
How do I activate my Wise card outside the US?
If you’ve ordered a Wise card to be linked to your Wise US account you’ll need to activate your card in the US. That means you’ll need to log into your Wise account once you have your card, to enter a few details for security and get your card ready for use.
Can you get a Wise card when traveling abroad?
Order your Wise card online or in the Wise app, for delivery to your registered Wise address. You’ll need to activate the card before you can use it, in the US – so order prior to your planned travel. Learn more: Wise travel card review
