We know it’s important to get your money back quickly. When you're expecting a refund, the time it takes can depend on whether the original card payment was completed or is still pending.
It’s always a good idea to check the merchant’s refund policy first, as they control when the money is sent back to you.
If the payment was completed
Once the merchant sends the refund, it usually takes 5–10 working days for the money to appear in your Wise account.
We can't see or track the refund until it arrives, but we’ll automatically add the money to your balance as soon as we receive it.
Good to know:
You can also receive partial refunds. The process is the same.
Refunds can still be sent to a cancelled or expired card. The money will be credited to your Wise account as normal.
If you paid using a mobile wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay), the refund will also return to your Wise account automatically.
If you’ve been waiting longer than 10 working days, you should always contact the merchant first to confirm they've sent the refund. When you contact them, it’s a good idea to ask for a proof of refund document.
If the payment is still pending
When a payment is pending, the money is on hold but hasn't left your account. The merchant needs to release this hold, which is called a reversal.
The merchant can do one of two things to return the money:
Cancel the pending payment: They can release the hold, and the money will be available in your account almost instantly.
Do nothing: If they don't act, the money will be automatically returned to your account. This usually takes 7 days, but can take up to 30 days for payments like a security deposit, car rental booking, or an ATM withdrawal.
If you're waiting for a pending payment to be returned, you don't need to do anything. The money will come back to you automatically within the timeframes above.