How long does Wise take to transfer money?
Wise offers international payments to 40+ countries, which can arrive quickly or even instantly. Ultimately, the length of time your transfer takes depends on factors like the destination country, how you pay, and when you set up your transfer. However, you can see an estimate for delivery before you confirm.
This guide walks through how long Wise takes to transfer money in India.
Key points: Wise transfer speed
Over 60% of Wise international transfers arrive instantly or within seconds and 80%+ of transfers are delivered in less than an hour
Money sent to INR can take up to 1 working day to arrive in your recipient's bank account, with conversion taking up to 2 working days.
It can take up to 2 working days for Wise to receive your money if you're sending from INR.
Wise delivery times depend on where you're sending to and how you pay, among other things
How long does Wise take to transfer money internationally?
Wise offers fast or instant payments over 60% of the time. Over 80%+ of transfers are delivered in less than an hour.
If you're sending money to INR, it usually takes up to 1 working day to arrive in your recipient's bank account once Wise has received and converted your money, with conversion taking up to 2 working days.
If you're sending from INR, transfers usually take 2 working days for your money to get to Wise, before it is then converted and sent out. Conversion can also take up to 2 working days.
Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to send a Wise international payment can vary based on the destination and currency. Other factors which may make a difference include when you set up your transfer, and if any security checks are needed.
To give a bit of an idea, here are the anticipated delivery times for sending payments from India on some popular currency routes. It's worth noting that transfers from India can only be done via bank transfer, which can be a slower payment method.
| Currency | Pay by bank transfer |
|---|---|
| GBP | Next business day |
| USD | Next business day |
| EUR | Next business day |
| CAD | 2 business days |
As you can see, for most popular payment routes, delivery can be by next business day. You'll get a delivery estimate when you set up your payment, and can track its progress in the Wise app, so you can see how your money is moving throughout.
How fast is Wise money transfer?
The length of time taken for your money to be transferred with Wise can vary – but is often pretty quick. Here's an overview of the factors which may make a difference on delivery times:
Countries you're sending money to and from: Each country and currency will have slightly different delivery times. The processes used by your recipient's own bank can also affect delivery time – but you can track your payment in the Wise app to see where it is in the system once you've made your payment.
How you pay for the transfer: You'll see your options for payment when you set up your transfer, as well as a delivery estimate for each. Transfers from India can only be done via bank transfer, which can take slightly longer due to it being a slower payment method.
When you pay for the transfer: Wise can only process payments when banking markets are open – which may mean your transfer is a little slower if you set it up on a weekend or during a public holiday in India or in the destination country.
Security checks and verification: You may also need to provide some additional paperwork to support your transfer – particularly if you're sending a high value payment. This is for verification, and required by law of all money transfer services and banks. While verification shouldn't slow your payment too much, it can mean your money takes a little longer to arrive compared to the initial estimate you're given.
How long does it take to receive money from abroad with Wise
If someone is sending money to India using Wise, the transfer speed depends on factors like the currency, the sender's payment method, and banking hours in both countries.
In most cases, international transfers to INR arrive within one working day after Wise receives the money from the sender and conversion can take up to 2 working days. Bank transfers may take longer to reach Wise, whereas card payments or instant transfers can speed up the process.
Is Wise faster for international transfers?
You can send a transfer overseas from India with a specialist provider, like Wise, or with a bank. Different banks offer their own service options and the difference in delivery time can be pretty big, depending on the provider you pick and the way you pay.
To give a flavor, here are the most common delivery times for popular payment options with Wise and three of our largest banks.
| Wise | ICICI | SBI | HDFC Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer speed | 60% of payments are instant Bank transfer: May take a day or so | Transfers are processed within 1 working day, excluding Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | Not stated - customers need to contact their local branch or log onto the FXout platform for more information | International wire transfers take 24-48 hours |
In our comparison we found that overall, banks offer similar delivery times to Wise, ranging anywhere from 1 working day to 48 hours. However, as banks usually process international transfers through the SWIFT network, they may cost more, too.
How long does it take to transfer money from Wise to a bank account?
Most Wise transfers are deposited directly into your recipient's bank account, although in some countries, you can also use Wise to send to popular mobile wallets.
The delivery time depends on several factors including the country you're sending to, how you pay, and when you set up your payment. Over half of Wise payments are instant or arrive in seconds – you're more likely to be able to make a very quick payment to a bank account if you arrange your transfer in banking hours.
How to make Wise transfer faster
Over 60% of Wise payments can arrive pretty much instantly. On the Wise app or website, when you set up your payment you'll be able to toggle through the available payment methods to see the delivery estimate for each, as well as the applicable fee. This makes it easy to find the very quickest Wise international money transfer based on your specific situation.
To get the best delivery time for your transfer, take the following steps:
Open the Wise app or desktop site
Enter the amount you're sending, and the currency
Compare the estimated delivery times based on payment method
Pick the quickest available option
Confirm your payment and your money is on the way
How to track your Wise money transfer
You can always track your Wise payment online or in the app if you want to see how it's doing. Here's what to do:
Open the Wise app or desktop site
Go to Home to see your activity list
Select the transfer you want to track
You'll be able to see live updates on the progress of your payment
How long does it take to receive international business payments?
If you're a Wise Business customer in India, you can receive international payments directly into your INR bank account after they've been converted. Here's what to expect:
Transfers sent using local payment methods typically arrive within 0–2 working days while SWIFT transfers can take 2–5 working days to reach your Wise Business account.
Once Wise receives the funds, they are automatically converted to INR and deposited into your verified Indian bank account within 1–2 days. You'll also receive an e-FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) by email within 7 days.
Conclusion: How fast can Wise transfer money?
In our comparison we found that Wise was pretty fast on many routes. In fact, over 60% of Wise transfers are instant – and there are some specific steps you can take to make sure your money is moving as quickly as possible.
Compared to the banks we looked at in our comparison, Wise could be much quicker, but you'll be able to see all your options including delivery times and fees, before you confirm your payment.
Wise aims to make all international payments instant
As of Q1 2024, 60%+ of Wise transfers are instant or arrive in seconds
Delivery times depend on factors like the currencies involved and any holidays in India or your destination country
Wise international transfer speed FAQs
Does Wise have instant transfers?
As of Q1 2024, 60%+ of Wise transfers are instant or arrive in seconds. Ultimately the time it takes to send a Wise transfer can depend on several factors including how you pay, where you're sending to, and whether you arrange your payment within normal banking hours.
Does Wise have SEPA Instant Payments?
Many of Wise's transfers, including some SEPA payments, are instant. However, the delivery time for any payment can be dependent on many different factors like the way you pay, and changes in banking hours in the recipient country. You'll see an estimate for your transfer before you confirm it.