Wise Multi-Currency Debit Card

@Peter

Looking forward to hearing about your first hand experience when you get back. Lots of YT videos online about Wise, most seem co-opted and shadow sponsored IMHO, so who knows what the reality is. 15 countries will be a good representative sample to test though. I live and die by my AMEX when travelling, as they've never let me down in 35 years.

Have a great trip !!

@kolyaS122HSU

Not too sure what shadow sponsored or co-opted means!

But, for the sake of clarity and honesty, I have no connection with Wise, do not get paid by them, represent them, or anything similar, if that is what might be the interpretation. But I cannot speak for online videos...

Lot's of YT videos are paid "stealth" promos edited to appear natural. For example, the Government of Canada pays Brasilian influencers who immigrated there to make these "wonderful life in Canada" videos.

I wasn't referring to you at all. Just sayin' maybe many of the WISE videos I found are really paid ads.

I've had a Wise multi-currency debit card for a few years.. I haven't used it much, but it seems to work okay.

@Peter Itamaraca

With a USA Wise account, Brazilian Reals are not available to add as one of the currencies to your debit card. Columbia, UK, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand etc, etc,  but alas no Brazil. You CAN transfer USD to Brazil if and only if, you provide the recipients CPF number. Surprise-surprise.

@Peter Itamaraca

How are the exchange rates that Wise offers with that card?  They have to be making their money somehow, if not by fees...

@timhoffnagle

Wise has a currency exchange calculator that states the fees:

https://wise.com/br/pricing/

@bepmoht

I created a USA Wise account and later changed my country of residence to Brazil. I have USD and BRL in my Wise account.

@Peter Itamaraca
With a USA Wise account, Brazilian Reals are not available to add as one of the currencies to your debit card. Columbia, UK, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand etc, etc, but alas no Brazil. You CAN transfer USD to Brazil if and only if, you provide the recipients CPF number. Surprise-surprise. - @bepmoht

According to my research online, BRL is one of the currencies that can be added to a US Wise Card. Real (excuse the pun!) experience by @alan279 would seem to support this. I also know a UK Wise card offers BRL.

Financial companies have to have licenses in each of the territories in which they operate, and different rules can apply in different countries. But I cannot see why that would restrict the currencies they offer, just the way in which they operate, are regulated, receive funds, make charges, etc.

I specifically wanted a Brazilian Wise Card, as I earn in Brazil, and wanted an easy way to spend those reais in other countries when travelling... And the fees Wise charge are way less than other methods.

However I do believe there is currently a hold on issuing new Wise Debit Cards in the US, probably due to compliance issue delays.

02/18/25 However I do believe there is currently a hold on issuing new Wise Debit Cards in the US, probably due to compliance issue delays. - @Peter Itamaraca

That's true.  For that reason, I applied for a Brazilian card on Sunday as a Brazilian citizen with my Brazilian RG.  As of this morning, they still haven't finished "verifying" me - probably because my existing file shows me as a US citizen.   I'll report back when I have a result.

I didn’t ever have a Wise US debit card, just a Wise account. I talked to Wise support and received a Brazilian debit card after identity verification.

02/18/25 However I do believe there is currently a hold on issuing new Wise Debit Cards in the US, probably due to compliance issue delays.  - @Peter Itamaraca
That's true. For that reason, I applied for a Brazilian card on Sunday as a Brazilian citizen with my Brazilian RG. As of this morning, they still haven't finished "verifying" me - probably because my existing file shows me as a US citizen. I'll report back when I have a result.
- @abthree

I received my Brazilian one yesterday, less than a week after application...

02/18/25  I received my Brazilian one yesterday, less than a week after application... - @Peter Itamaraca

I'm hopeful that eventually the same will be true for me. For now, their site says,

"We're verifying you

We're still checking your documents, we're sorry it's taking longer than expected. Please keep an eye on your email inbox - we may need to get in touch"

It's likely that they're trying to sort out my dual citizenship, but it could be something as simple as not recognizing the new CIN (Carteira de Identidade Nacional) that's replacing the old RG.  They're being phased in gradually, and since they're being offered first to people over 60, there aren't a lot of them in circulation yet.  They haven't followed up yet, maybe today.

02/18/25 I received my Brazilian one yesterday, less than a week after application... - @Peter Itamaraca

Looks like they've finished verifying me and I'm in business.