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Wise Verification: Documents, Steps and Timing

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When does Wise ask you to verify?

Wise says when and how it verifies you depends on:

  • the amount you send,
  • the currency you send,
  • how many transfers you've made.

Wise might only verify your identity at first, and ask for your address later.

Automatic verification by bank transfer: in some cases Wise can verify your identity automatically with your first bank transfer, if it comes from a personal bank account in the same name as your Wise account. This is limited to transfers below 15,000 EUR in certain currencies, and isn't available for business accounts.

Step 1: Get your ID ready

Document What Wise accepts
Passport Photo page only
National ID card Plastic card, both sides
Photo driving licence Both sides. Not accepted if you live in Europe (EU/EEA). Electronic driving licences aren't accepted

What must be visible:

  • Your full first name and at least one full family name.
  • A clear photo of you, and your date of birth.
  • The document number and the full MRZ code (the coded lines at the bottom of a passport).
  • The document must be valid, not expired, with nothing covered.

What Wise doesn't accept:

  • PDF files for ID (a JPG screenshot is fine).
  • Photos taken of a screen.
  • Copies of photocopies.
  • Bank cards as ID.

Step 2: ID photo and live photo

Wise may ask for one of two different checks.

a) ID photo + live photo:

  1. You can't upload photos you've already taken: they're captured on the spot.
  2. On a computer, choose Scan QR Code to continue on your phone, Get link by email, or I don't have a phone / Use webcam to use your computer's camera.
  3. Choose the country that issued the document and the document type.
  4. Take a photo of your ID. If it isn't clear, select Retake photo.
  5. Take the live photo with your face inside the oval. Don't hold your ID in this step.
  6. Submit.

If you see "We have all we need", your photos are in manual review and you can't upload more. Just wait.

b) Selfie with your ID: A photo of you holding your ID. Wise may also ask you to hold a piece of paper with a specific code or today's date written on it.

Step 3: Proof of address (if asked)

The document must show your full name and full home address (matching your Wise account), the issue date, and the sender's logo or name.

Accepted How recent
Gas, electricity, water or landline bill Last 3 months
Bank or credit card statement Last 3 months
Council tax bill Last year
Vehicle tax or registration document Last 12 months
Photo driving licence showing your address (if not already used as ID)
Tenancy agreement for the current year Signed by both parties, with start and end dates
Letter from a government body or financial institution Last 12 months
University acceptance letter (students) Last 3 months

If you live with family: use a document in a family member's name, plus a government-issued document confirming your relationship (like a birth certificate).

Not accepted:

  • Documents from MoneyGram, Western Union or Revolut.
  • Mobile phone bills.
  • PO box addresses.
  • Documents addressed to a business.
  • A driving licence you already used as ID.
  • Wise statements or Wise transfer receipts.

Step 4: Right-to-reside document (for expats)

This is the step most Arabs living abroad hit. Wise says: if the ID you verified with (like a passport) wasn't issued by the same country as the address on your Wise account, it will ask for a document proving your right to live there.

Example: you live in Germany with an Egyptian passport, so you need a document issued by Germany, such as your German residence permit.

Accepted Not accepted
Passport or national ID from your country of residence Short-term visas (90 days or less)
A valid residence permit card (not a paper residence permit) Proof of address
A long-term visa valid for more than 90 days Driving licence
Some refugee or asylee documents Most digital-only IDs
Applications for a visa, permanent residency or refugee status
Asylum seeker documents

How to upload it: through the banner in your account, "We need more information to verify your account", not by email.

Important: until this check is done, Wise may limit some features, like ordering a card, adding a currency or sending a transfer. And if you can't provide a right-to-reside document, Wise might need to close your account.

GCC exception: if your registered address is in a GCC country, Wise accepts a right-to-reside document issued by any other GCC member country.

Step 5: Track your verification status

What you see What it means
Light grey banner Pending or under review. No action needed
Red banner: "Verification has failed" Verification failed. Select Update information on the banner to see the reason and upload new documents

If your verification was rejected, follow our Wise verification failed guide

How long does Wise verification take?

Stage Wise's timing
Identity documents Usually 1 to 2 working days
Proof of address An email within 2 working days
Verification triggered after you set up a transfer Wise works to finish it within 5 to 14 working days

Once you're approved, paused transfers continue automatically. You don't need to set them up again.

If you're a refugee

In the EU/EEA, Wise accepts the photo page of an Alien's passport, a travel document, or an EEA ID stating refugee status. The US and Canada have their own lists on Wise's help page.

FAQ

How long does Wise verification take?

Wise says ID documents usually take 1 to 2 working days, and address checks get an answer within 2 working days. If verification starts after you've set up a transfer, it can take 5 to 14 working days.

Does Wise accept an Egyptian (or Moroccan) passport?

Yes, as ID (the photo page). But if you live outside that country, Wise will also ask for a right-to-reside document from your country of residence, such as a residence permit.

Can I verify with my driving licence?

Not if you live in Europe: Wise doesn't accept driving licences as ID for EU/EEA residents. Use your passport or national ID card.

Does Wise accept a paper residence permit?

No. Wise accepts a valid residence permit card only, not a paper permit or an application.

Can I use a mobile phone bill as proof of address?

No. Mobile phone bills aren't accepted. Use a gas, electricity, water or landline bill, or a recent bank statement.

I live in Saudi Arabia with an Egyptian passport. What do I upload?

Because your address is in a GCC country, Wise accepts a right-to-reside document issued by Saudi Arabia or any other GCC country.

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Last updated: 23 October 2026 · All facts from the official Wise help pages listed above.

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