How to get a Wise card in 2024

If you’re looking for a smart way to spend in foreign currencies in person or online - or a way of making international cash withdrawals without hefty fees - the Wise card might be a perfect match. Open a Wise personal account for free online or in the Wise app, and order your Wise card for a low one time fee. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, and it’s free to spend any currency balance you have in your account. If you don’t have the currency you need, the Wise card can convert for you with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees.

Here’s what we’ll cover in our comprehensive guide to the Wise card Singapore and how it works:

• How to get a Wise card step by step
• How much does the Wise card cost?
• How long does it take to get a Wise card?
• How does the Wise card work in Singapore?
• How to replace or cancel your Wise card
• Is Wise card safe to use?
• How to get a Wise virtual card

How to get a Wise card step by step

To get a Wise card you’ll first need to open a Wise digital multi-currency account. This can be done easily online or in the Wise app. Register an account, order a card to be delivered to home by mail, and get instant access to a Wise virtual card for mobile and online use.

Here’s how to get a Wise card in Singapore, step by step:

1. Open the Wise app or desktop site

2. Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

3. Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

4. Upload your ID document - or use Singpass - to complete the verification step

5. Tap the Cards tab to order your card

6. Pay the one time 8.5 SGD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way

How to activate your Wise card

If you’re wondering how to activate your Wise card in Singapore once you have it in your hand, the good news is that it’s a straightforward process.

You can use your physical Wise card instantly as long as you have your card PIN - available in the Wise app. Or, to activate your Wise card for contactless payments, use your card to make a Chip and PIN purchase, or in an ATM. You can’t make a cash withdrawal in Singapore - but you can activate your card by using your card to make an ATM balance enquiry, or you can wait until you head overseas to activate this feature if you’d prefer.

Can you get a Wise card in Singapore?

Yes. The Wise card is available in Singapore for personal and business customers - and can also be ordered in a broad selection of other countries and regions, including Malaysia, the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Australia and most EEA countries.

How much does the Wise card cost?

There’s a one time order fee for the Wise card in Singapore. If you’re a Wise personal customer this is 8.5 SGD, while Wise business customers can order debit or expense cards for 4 SGD each.

Once you have your card there are no ongoing fees, and there’s no charge to replace your card once it expires. To spend with your Wise card you’ll need to add money to your Wise account. It’s then free to spend a currency you hold - and if you don’t have the currency you need wherever you are in the world, the card uses its smart conversion technology to convert from the best currency possible with the mid-market rate and charges a small conversion fee.

You can’t make ATM withdrawals in Singapore with a Singapore issued Wise card. However, you can use your card to get travel cash when you’re overseas conveniently. There’s no fee to make 2 withdrawals, up to the value of 350 SGD every month, with a low charge of 1.5 SGD + 1.75% after that.

Is it worth getting a Wise card?

The Wise card can help cut the costs of spending and making cash withdrawals in foreign currencies. This can be helpful when you travel - but also whenever you transact online in a foreign currency. If you shop with international retailers, Wise can help you cut out foreign transaction fees and access mid-market rate currency conversion, bringing down the amount you spend overall.

Here are some of the perks of getting a Wise card that you’ll want to know about:

• No ongoing fees and no charge to replace an expired card

• Some free cash withdrawals monthly, with low fees after that

• Free to spend a currency you hold - 40+ currencies are available

• Automatic currency conversion available which uses the mid-market rate with the lowest possible fee

• Manage, freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card from the Wise app

How long does it take to get a Wise card?

Once you’ve ordered your Wise card and paid the one off fee of 8.5 SGD, you’ll get instant access to a Wise virtual card you can use for online and mobile spending. Your physical Wise card will then arrive in the mail in about 3 working days - keep an eye out for it!

How does the Wise card work in Singapore?

You can use your Wise card pretty much as you would any other debit card - the only exception being that you can’t make local ATM withdrawals. Add your card to a wallet like Apple Pay for mobile payments, use your physical card for international ATM withdrawals, and tap and pay in 150+ countries globally.

If you have the currency you need in your Wise account it’ll be debited with no fee. If not, the card can automatically convert for you from the balance which incurs the lowest costs - using the mid-market rate every time.

And if you’re wondering how to top up your travel money card the good news is that it can all be done with just your phone. Add a balance in SGD or one of the other 30 or so currencies supported for top ups, from your bank, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or with a card, and either leave it in your account as it is, or convert to the currency you need for your payment in just a few taps.

How to replace or cancel your Wise card

Cancel or replace your card in the Wise app conveniently. If your Wise card expires and needs to be replaced, there’s no fee - but a replacement card fee of 4 SGD applies if you need a new card because yours was lost or damaged.

Here’s how to cancel your card and order a new Wise card for home delivery:

1. Tap the Card tab and then Replace card

2. Choose the reason you’re replacing your card, from the options on screen

3. Tap Replacement card

Is Wise card safe to use?

Yes. Wise is MAS regulated in Singapore and a safe provider. When it comes to the Wise card, there are also handy built in security features, such as instant transaction notifications, ways to cancel your card, and options to freeze your card if you won’t be using it for a while.

How to get a Wise virtual card

Wise virtual cards are free to create once you order your physical card, and can be used for any transaction where a physical card isn’t necessary, such as spending online or with a mobile wallet like Apple Pay. You can freeze and unfreeze your virtual card in the Wise app in the same way you would your physical card, too.

Here’s how to get a Wise virtual card:

1. Visit the Wise website or app and log in

2. Tap Card and choose Get a digital card

3. You’ll see your Wise virtual card details for instant use

Conclusion on getting a Wise debit card

It’s easy to set up a Wise account and order a Wise debit card - and the entire process can be done with nothing more than your phone or laptop. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, with no fee to spend a currency you hold with your card. If you don’t have the currency you need the card can automatically convert for you with the mid-market rate and the lowest possible fee. This means you avoid the foreign transaction fees banks often charge when you spend in a foreign currency - and can mean your dollars go further when you’re abroad.