2026 Wise Account Registration Guide and Important Considerations for Chinese Users

Wise is a UK-based fintech company established in 2011, authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI). Originally named TransferWise, the company rebranded to Wise in 2021 and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Wise provides international money transfer services to most countries/regions worldwide, using the mid-market exchange rate without markups, identical to rates seen on currency query websites like XE and Reuters.

Why Apply for a WISE Account

A WISE account offers numerous benefits, such as:

• Providing overseas bank accounts (Euro, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar)
• Offering virtual and physical cards for global spending
• Convenient global money transfers with low fees and favorable exchange rates
• Using WISE bank accounts for overseas investment and wealth management

If you need other overseas bank accounts for investment, you can also check iFAST Global Bank, which accepts real domestic documents for account opening.

Application Requirements & Preparation

• Chinese ID card or Chinese passport
• Mobile phone number (Chinese numbers supported)
• Email address

Registering for WISE

Registration Address: https://wise.com/invite/dic/xiupingz7 (Registering via this link grants a certain number of free transfer opportunities)

Generally, select "Personal" for Account Type and "China" for Country.

Verify your mobile phone number; numbers starting with China's "+86" are supported.

Since I have already registered for WISE, some steps cannot be screenshot. Here are some registration notes:

1. Name: It is recommended to fill in Pinyin.
2. Select "China" for your country.
3. Fill in your current residential address truthfully for your home address.
4. Upload your ID card or passport for verification as required, then wait for the audit to complete.
5. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire; fill it out truthfully according to your situation, otherwise, it may trigger risk control later requiring you to submit various documents.

Note: If asked to choose an ID document, it is recommended to prioritize the ID card. Currently, only users registered with an ID card can open a Hong Kong Dollar account; passport verification may not allow opening a HKD account later!

Activating a WISE Account

After the WISE account audit is passed, the first use requires a deposit (top-up) of $20 to activate account functions. This $20 will be saved in your account balance for future use.

Activation is a key challenge. It accepts transfers from foreign banks (US, European, etc.), foreign credit/debit cards, and international wire transfers. Domestic credit cards are not supported. Currently, based on xiaoz's experience, the following methods can be used to top up and activate:

• Recommended: If you have a US or European bank account, directly transfer the corresponding currency to activate (e.g., the Ifast mentioned above).
• Recommended: A reliable method is to purchase foreign exchange through your domestic bank and use cross-border wire transfer (fees may be higher).
• Tryable: Some virtual cards can be used to top up and activate WISE (this is the method I used). It is picky about card prefixes; you must try it yourself. However, if it fails, do not attempt repeatedly to avoid risk control (relatively easy to trigger).
• Not Recommended: Finding a seller on Taobao to activate for you (very easy, but carries potential risks).

Note: When top up, do not select Chinese Yuan (CNY); it will require you to provide a foreign passport!

Applying for a WISE Card (Optional)

Note: WISE accounts registered with a domestic address do not support applying for a WISE debit card. It is also not recommended to change your region to apply for a card, as this can easily trigger risk control and result in a permanent ban!

If you have already topped up and activated your WISE account, you can apply for a WISE card. Click "Cards" in the left navigation bar of WISE and follow the prompts to order a new card.

WISE cards come in 3 types:

1. Green Card: A physical card with a one-time $7.50 (approx. 7 GBP) issuance fee, with the card number printed on the back.
2. White Card (Eco Card): A physical card with a one-time $5.50 (approx. 4.5 GBP) issuance fee, without the card number printed.
3. Virtual Card (Digital Card): No issuance fee, no physical card, managed via the WISE backend.

You may encounter the following issues when applying for a WISE card:

1. Region not supported: If you filled in a Chinese address during registration, you cannot apply for a WISE card. You need to modify your profile to change your home address to a residential address in Europe or the UK (do not falsify; integrity is paramount).
2. Cannot apply for a virtual card directly: You may need to order a physical card first before applying for a virtual card. However, ordering a physical card requires a delivery address. Do not fill this in randomly to avoid the card being returned, which could affect your account. You can use your European residential address or a forwarding address.

Forwarding to China

Currently, xiaoz has tried two forwarding companies that successfully received and forwarded items to China. However, note that your WISE home address should be your real residential address in Europe. If the address risk is high, it may trigger risk control.

• WISE Home Address: Your real residential address in Europe or the UK (adapt as needed).
• Delivery Address: Fill in your European residential address or the forwarding address in your country.

Tiptrans

Registration Address: https://www.tiptrans.com/?ref=112437 (Register via this link and complete the first order to receive a $25 balance bonus)

• Tiptrans provides forwarding addresses in the UK, Germany, and Hong Kong, but the UK address does not support receiving cards. It is recommended to use the German forwarding address.
• Note: When registering, fill in your address information in English with real details (use ChatGPT to help translate). Do not fill in your domestic address randomly, as modifying the address is difficult.

UK Postbox

Registration Address: https://client.ipostalmail.net/Signup?Referrer=REF122192

• This company provides a free UK receiving address. Select this free plan during registration and choose a UK receiving address. For detailed instructions, refer to Simple and Easy: Free Application for UK Postbox UK Address and Forwarding Process Sharing.

• Please fill in your information truthfully; otherwise, it may affect registration and receiving.
• UK Postbox requires passport verification.
• After UK Postbox verification is passed, 2 UK addresses will be provided; generally, the first one is used to receive the WISE card.

Summary of Forwarding Addresses: German region can use Tiptrans; UK region can use UK Postbox.

Activating the WISE Card

Currently, xiaoz has successfully received the WISE Green and White Eco cards.

To activate a physical card, find an ATM that supports VISA, check the balance once, or withdraw a small amount of cash to complete activation.

Since the WISE card PIN is 4 digits, most ATMs may not support it. It is recommended to use ATMs of the "Big Four" banks. Generally, ATMs marked with VISA are acceptable. xiaoz completed activation by withdrawing 100 RMB at a China Construction Bank ATM.

Risk Explanation

1. Users residing in China are not recommended to change their address to obtain a debit card, as this can easily trigger risk control or even result in a ban.
2. Do not frequently transfer large amounts to different people or avoid remitting to individuals of unknown identity to prevent association with bad accounts. Although this is an international money transfer tool, understand that it is not for money laundering; use it legally and compliantly!
3. Funds must be legal and compliant; otherwise, you may be asked to provide proof of source of funds.
4. Once a WISE account is banned, you cannot register again.
5. WISE personal accounts do not support registering multiple accounts.
6. Registration information must be filled in truthfully; do not commit fraud, or you will be permanently banned.

WISE Registration Address: https://wise.com/invite/dic/xiupingz7 (Registering via this link grants a certain number of free transfer opportunities)

Additionally, I have created a TG group chat. If you have any questions, you can join the group to communicate: https://t.me/usecardone