Wise is one of the most useful tools a freelancer can have — but it's not always obvious how to get the most out of it. This guide walks you through setup, receiving money from clients and platforms, converting currencies, and getting paid in your local currency.
Step 1: Open Your Wise Account
- Go to wise.com (or download the Wise app)
- Click Register → Select Personal (for most freelancers)
- Enter your email and create a password
- Verify your identity:
- Photo of your passport or driving licence
- Sometimes a selfie
- Takes 5–15 minutes; activation within hours
Cost: Free. No monthly fee.
Open a free Wise account →Step 2: Get Your Local Bank Account Details
This is the most powerful feature of Wise for freelancers. After verification:
- Go to Account Details in the Wise dashboard
- You'll see tabs for each currency: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, SGD, and more
- Each tab shows the local bank details clients need to pay you as a local
For UK freelancers:
- USD tab: US routing number + account number → share with US clients
- EUR tab: IBAN (IBAN + BIC) → share with EU clients
- GBP tab: Sort code + account number → share with UK clients
For Canadian freelancers:
- USD tab: US routing + account number → US clients
- CAD tab: Institution number + transit number + account number → Canadian clients
For Australian freelancers:
- USD tab: US routing + account number → US clients
- AUD tab: BSB + account number → Australian clients
Step 3: Share Account Details with Clients
What to send your client:
For a US client paying in USD:
"Please pay to: [Bank name: Community Federal Savings Bank], Routing: [your Wise routing], Account: [your Wise account number], Name: [your name]. Please send in USD."
This is identical to receiving a US bank transfer. Most US clients use ACH or wire transfer — both work.
For a UK client paying in GBP:
"Sort code: [your Wise sort code], Account number: [your Wise account], Name: [your name]."
For an EU client paying in EUR:
"IBAN: [your Wise IBAN], BIC: [your Wise BIC], Name: [your name]."
No client needs a Wise account to pay you. They pay as they'd pay any bank.
Step 4: Receive Upwork or Fiverr Payments
Upwork → Wise (direct):
- In Upwork: Settings → Get Paid → Add payment method → US Bank
- Enter your Wise USD routing number and account number
- Set as default payment method
- Upwork withdrawals arrive in your Wise USD balance for free
Fiverr → Payoneer → Wise:
- Add Payoneer as your Fiverr withdrawal method (official partner, free)
- In Payoneer: transfer USD balance to your Wise USD account (free)
- USD arrives in Wise — convert at 0.41%
Step 5: Convert Currency
Once USD (or EUR, etc.) is in your Wise balance:
- In Wise: click Convert
- Select From: USD → To: GBP (or CAD, AUD, etc.)
- Enter amount
- Review fee and exact exchange rate (mid-market + 0.41%)
- Click Confirm
The conversion is instant. Your GBP balance updates immediately.
Tip: Don't convert too frequently. Each conversion has a small fixed fee component. Batch monthly income into one conversion to minimise per-transfer fixed costs.
Step 6: Send to Your Local Bank Account
- In Wise: click Send
- Select currency: GBP (or CAD, AUD)
- Select recipient: Myself → My bank account
- Enter your local bank details (sort code + account for UK)
- Click Confirm
Sending GBP to a UK bank account is free. Arrives same business day if sent before 2pm, otherwise next business day.
Wise for Different Freelancer Types
| Freelancer type | How to use Wise |
|---|---|
| Upwork-only | Add Wise USD as US bank in Upwork → convert monthly |
| Upwork + Fiverr | Payoneer for both → transfer to Wise → convert |
| Direct clients (UK) | Share GBP account details → receive free |
| Direct clients (US) | Share USD account details → receive free → convert at 0.41% |
| Mixed international | Multiple currencies received → convert what you need |
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Wise
Hold multiple currencies. If you have USD and EUR clients, keep separate balances and convert when the rate is good (or just monthly for simplicity).
Get the Wise debit card. One-time fee of ~£7. Spend directly from any currency balance at the mid-market rate — useful for travel or paying USD-priced software.
Set rate alerts. Wise can notify you when a specific exchange rate is reached. Useful if you want to time large conversions.
Use the Wise app. Notifications for incoming payments mean you know immediately when a client pays. No waiting and checking.
Start using Wise today →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive money in Wise? USD from a US client: 1–2 business days (ACH), same day (wire). EUR from EU: 0–1 business day (SEPA). GBP from UK: same day (Faster Payments).
Is there a minimum amount to convert in Wise? Wise has no meaningful minimum for conversions — you can convert from as little as £1. However, the fixed fee component means conversions under £20–30 aren't cost-effective.
Can I use Wise if I'm not yet registered as self-employed? Yes — you can use Wise personal account regardless of your business registration status. You don't need to be registered to receive payments.
See also: Wise review for UK freelancers · Wise transfer fees explained · Payoneer vs Wise for Upwork
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