Why is Wise taking so long

Wise transfers can take longer than expected because of bank processing hours, the payment method you chose, security or compliance checks, or incorrect recipient details.

Wise shows an estimated delivery time for each payment method when you set up a transfer, and the Wise transfer tracker shows where your money is at each step. Delays usually come from one of the causes below.

• Bank transfer payments: Paying by standard bank transfer or SWIFT is slower because Wise must wait for your own bank to send the funds, while card payments are usually instant.
• Weekends and public holidays: Banks do not process payments on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays in the sending or receiving country.
• Cut-off times: A transfer started late on a Friday or just before a holiday may not begin moving until the next business day.
• Compliance checks: Wise follows strict financial regulations, so large transfers and new accounts often trigger manual reviews, identity checks or requests for proof of the source of funds.
• Incorrect details: A small error in the recipient's name, account number, SWIFT code or IBAN can cause the receiving bank to pause or reject the payment.

When looking at Wise pricing and payment options, keep in mind that the method you pay with affects speed as well as cost. If a transfer is already late, check its status in the Wise app, reply quickly to any document request, and confirm the recipient's bank details are correct.