How does Wise work in India: Step-by-step guide 2026

Wise was launched as TransferWise in the UK in 2011, with the aim of making international transfers easier to understand, with transparent fees. In 2021, TransferWise was renamed Wise, and today millions of customers around the world use it to send international money transfers.

If you're considering making an international money transfer with Wise but have questions about how to use it, this guide is for you.

We'll walk through the services and features available in India, and explain step by step how to use Wise for outward transfers from India and inward payments to an Indian bank account.

Does Wise work in India?

You can use Wise money transfers to send money internationally from India, and also receive money from abroad into your local bank account in India with mid-market exchange rate and low fees.

• Send money from India: Send money abroad with Wise to 160+ countries, in INR if you're an Indian tax resident.
• Receive money in India: Receive international payments from abroad in supported currencies sent through Wise.

If you want a closer look at pricing before you send, see our guide to Wise fees.

What is Wise money transfer?

If you're wondering: how does Wise work, the main thing to know is that it is designed to make cross-border payments clearer.

Instead of leaving you to guess the exchange rate, fee and delivery estimate, it shows those details before you pay.`

You can use Wise to send a one off or recurring payment to 160+ countries / regions with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Wise payments are arranged online or in the Wise app, and deposited right into your recipient's local bank account for convenience.

In India, remittance services are provided in partnership with RBI-approved regulated entities, and not directly by Wise.

Is Wise a bank?

Wise is not a bank. It is a financial technology company that offers international payments, and in India it works through RBI-approved local partners for the remittance service.

Wise at a glance: Pros and cons

How does Wise work?

You can sign up to Wise online or in the Wise app for free, to get started sending payments overseas from India or receiving money from other countries. We'll cover all you need to know about how to use Wise in India, in this guide.

Once you've opened your account, you can send money internationally and pay using your local online banking service. Transfers are set up online or in the Wise app, and can move fast. In fact, 74%+ of Wise transfers are instant*, and most arrive within 24 hours.

Your funds will be deposited right into your recipient’s bank account for convenience. The individual or business you’re sending to won’t need to open a Wise account to get their money, and they’ll be notified when the funds are available in their account. Easy.

The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions

How to use Wise in India

You can make the most of all the services and account features offered in India with these main options:

• Open your account online or in the Wise app
• Send payments to 160+ countries / regions
• Get the mid-market exchange rate for currency conversion
• Receive payments from others with Wise international transfers, deposited right into your Indian bank account

Sending transfers from INR with Wise

Wise makes it easy to send money internationally from India. However, it's important to note that there are some restrictions to keep in mind when sending INR. You can send money from INR if:

• You're an Indian tax resident
• Your ID is verified
• The address on your account in India matches the address on your ID document
• You've added an Indian phone number to your account

How to transfer money with Wise

With Wise, you can send payments to 160+ countries / regions around the world from India.

When you need to switch between currencies you'll get the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and low, transparent fees which allows you to save money on transfer fees.

Here's how to transfer money overseas with Wise:

• Log into Wise online or in the Wise app
• Select Send Money
• Enter the currencies you want to send to and from
• Confirm either the send amount, or the amount you want the recipient to get in the end
• Check over the fees and exchange rate, and confirm
• Follow the prompts to fund the payment and your money is on its way

Once your money is moving you'll get an email notification, and you'll also be able to track your payment in the Wise app or on the desktop site if you'd like to. Your recipient will be notified about the payment by email once it arrives.

What details do you need from your recipient?

The good news is that your recipient doesn't need to have a Wise account to receive a transfer sent through Wise.

The money will be sent directly to their local bank account, making it a straightforward process.

However, the exact information you'll need might vary depending on the country you're sending money to. In most cases, you will need the following details:

How do I receive money with Wise from abroad?

Expecting a payment which is being processed through Wise?

Your sender will be able to confirm the details they need based on the way they're setting up the transfer. However, usually, you'll need to give them:

• Your full name as shown on your bank account
• Your bank code and bank name
• Your bank account number

Do I need a Wise Account to receive money sent with Wise?

No, you don't need to have a Wise Account to be able to receive a payment sent with Wise.

You can simply give the sender your bank account details from your local bank in India, and your payments will be deposited into your bank account.

How long does a Wise transfer take?

Wise international transfers are fast. In fact, 74% of Wise transfers are instant, and the vast majority of payments arrive within 24 hours.

*The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions

How to sign up to Wise in India

You can open an account on the Wise desktop site or in the Apple or Android app. Here's how:

• Download the Wise app or head to the Wise desktop site
• Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID
• Complete the verification step
• You're ready to set up your first transfer

How do I get verified on Wise?

To keep customers and their money safe, Wise has to complete a verification step when you open an account or set up an international payment. This is part of financial services compliance and fraud prevention requirements.

For Wise account India users sending from INR, verification can include Aadhaar, PAN and video verification, depending on the transfer route and checks needed. All you'll usually need is:

• Your PAN card
• Your passport or driving licence

You'll be guided through the process and can always save your progress and come back to it if you need to.

If you ever need any support while you're completing the verification step, the Wise customer service team is on hand to advise you by phone, online or in the Wise app.

Is Wise legal in India?

Yes. Wise can legally support remittance services in India, but it does not operate as a bank in India.

In practice, that means the service works through RBI-approved local partners for inward and outward remittances. This is important because the payment service is provided within India's regulatory framework, rather than by Wise acting on its own.

Wise is not a bank. It is a financial technology company, and the remittance service in India is offered in partnership with regulated local entities. The provider can also require purpose information and documents for some transfers, because reporting and compliance checks are part of how cross-border payments from India work.

How are Wise transfer fees calculated?

Wise fees are shown transparently - as well as any taxes that apply — before you confirm the transfer.

Transparency is a core principle of the way Wise works, so you'll always be able to see the fees you pay for any service you use, before you confirm the transaction.

The exact Wise fees can change by currency pair, payment method and transfer purpose. When sending from INR, taxes such as GST and, in some cases, TCS may also apply depending on the amount and reason for the transfer.

Wise achieves these low fees by taking a different approach to international transfers. While banks tend to rely on the SWIFT network to move money around the world, Wise uses a local settlement model for many routes. In simple terms, that can reduce the number of intermediaries involved, which helps make the total cost clearer.

For a full breakdown, read our guide to Wise fees or compare it with our Wise vs international bank transfer guide before you send.

Wise transfer limits

Wise sets transfer limits for how much you can send. The limits depend on the currencies involved and how you pay. These limits vary, but Wise will always let you know if you try to send too much at any one time.

Fees, limits and eligibility were checked against provider and regulatory information on 18 June 2026, but they can change.

Wise transfer limits for transfers to India

There are also limits for how much money you can send to India, which will depend on the currency, recipient type and payment method used. For business transfers, it's recommended to wait until the day after your transfer has completed before setting up another one.

Fees, limits and eligibility were checked against provider and regulatory information on 18 June 2026, but they can change.

Wise payment methods

Wise offers multiple ways to pay for international money transfers, so you can choose the most convenient option for you. Funding and payout methods can vary depending on the country, although bank transfer tends to be the most popular method and is usually the least expensive.

Funding methods

Bank transfer: In India, you can pay for transfers from your personal bank account using supported local rails such as IMPS, NEFT or RTGS. In some cases, personal UPI may also be available as a Wise payment method, depending on the transfer route shown in your account. The name on your bank account has to match exactly with the name you registered at Wise.

Payout methods

Bank account deposit: Recipients can receive money directly into the bank account. After they receive the transfer, they can then send it to another account or withdraw cash with their linked bank card.

If you want more detail, see our guide to Wise limits.

Understanding India's LRS rules and Wise

India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme, or LRS, lets resident individuals remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for permitted current or capital account transactions.

There is no restriction on how often you send, but the total across all providers must stay within the yearly cap, and PAN is mandatory.

In practice, this means Wise transfers from INR must fit both RBI rules and the provider's supported purpose codes, such as education, travel, medical or family-related uses.

How to cancel a Wise transfer

If you've initiated a transfer with Wise but need to cancel it, you might be able to do so, depending on which stage of processing the transfer has reached.

You can cancel your Wise transfer if:

• You've set up a transfer but not paid yet
• Your money transfer is still on its way to Wise
• Your money is still being processed by Wise — in this case you'll need to ask Wise directly to cancel your transfer

However, once the payment has been made and the funds have been sent to the recipient, the transfer can no longer be cancelled, as Wise can no longer retrieve the funds.

Steps to cancel a Wise transfer:

• Log in on the Wise mobile app or website wise.com
• Go to the "Transactions" tab to find the transfer you want to cancel and its status
• Select the transfer you want to cancel and choose "Cancel transfer"
• If you've already paid, click "I've now paid." You might need to re-enter your bank account details
• You'll then receive an email from Wise to confirm that your transfer has been cancelled
• If you can't see the "Cancel transfer" button, this likely means that your money is being processed, and you'll need to get in touch with Wise so that they can cancel it

Do you need a Wise Account to receive a money transfer sent with Wise?

You don't need a Wise account to receive a money transfer sent with Wise.

You can simply receive the money directly into your local bank account in India. All you need to do is give your bank account details to the sender for a simple and hassle-free transfer.

How to use the Wise mobile app

The Wise mobile app is available for both Apple and Android phones.

The app includes security features such as login protection and 2-step verification to help keep your account secure.

With the Wise app you'll also be able to see everything that's happening with your account and transfer in real time right from your phone. Here is a quick summary:

• Send money abroad: Conveniently transfer money internationally from your phone or desktop, whether you're at home or on the go.
• Track your transfers: Stay updated in real time with the status of your transfers, and receive notifications as your money moves.
• Save recipient details: Set up new transfers quickly by using previously saved details for your regular recipients.
• Cancel transfers: Easily cancel a transfer if needed, directly from the app.
• Set up 2-step verification: The Wise app is designed with your security in mind, ensuring no unauthorised access to your account.
• Invite friends to Wise: Click on your unique invite link and send it to friends.
• Send verification documents: Get verified easily and upload a copy of your ID, address or any other document that's been requested.

How Wise protects your money and account

• Funds are stored in dedicated accounts or safeguarded arrangements separate from the company's own money
• 2-step verification can add an extra layer of account protection
• Fraud detection and prevention systems help monitor suspicious activity
• Verification checks are used to reduce the risk of misuse and comply with financial rules

You can read more in our guide to how Wise keeps your money secure.

Who owns Wise?

Wise is a publicly traded company, listed on the London Stock Exchange.

How to contact Wise customer service in India

Wise does not have a physical office in India where you can receive support. However, their customer service team is available in English 24/7, so you can get help whenever you need it.

The easiest way to contact Wise customer service is by logging into your account and choosing a contact method based on the issue you're trying to resolve.

In-app chat services are also available in a wide range of languages.

If you have an ongoing issue, Wise might have already emailed you. Look for messages in your registered email account, as they often include steps to resolve the problem yourself.

Conclusion: Using Wise money transfer in India

Wise emerged over a decade ago with a clear focus on making international transactions easier and more transparent. Today millions of customers use it to send and receive money across borders.

Using Wise is simple, and you'll be able to access your account and all Wise services right from your laptop or smartphone. From setting up your account and getting verified, to sending your first payment, you can manage your money online without needing to visit a branch.

If you're comparing providers, the key question is not just the headline fee, but the total cost, exchange rate, limits and delivery estimate for your specific transfer.

Compare Wise with other providers in our Wise vs international bank transfer guide, or see a full breakdown in our Wise fees guide.

Sources

Checked June 2026.

• Wise India pricing
  -Reserve Bank of India — LRS information
• Guide to INR transfers — Wise Help Centre
• How is Wise regulated in each country? — Wise Help Centre