To meet financial regulations, we sometimes need to check that you have a legal right to live in the country your Wise account is registered in.
This check is different from verifying your address (which uses documents like a utility bill). For the right to reside, we need to see a valid, government-issued document.
When do you ask for this?
We’ll ask you to provide a document if the ID you used to verify your identity (like a passport) wasn't issued by the same country as the address on your Wise account.
For example, if you live in the UK but verified your identity with a passport from another country, we'll need to see your UK-issued document proving your right to live there.
Until this check is complete, we may have to limit access to some features, like ordering a card, adding a currency or sending a transfer.
How do I upload my document?
If we need this document from you, we'll ask you with a banner on your account's homepage.
Log in to your Wise account on the website or app.
Look for a banner that says "We need more information to verify your account"
Click the banner and follow the instructions to upload your document.
Important: You must upload the document through this banner. We can't accept documents sent to us via email. If you don't see a banner but think you need to provide a document, please contact us.
What documents can I use?
The document must be issued by the country your account is registered in.
We can accept the following:
| Document Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Passport | Must be valid and unexpired. |
| National ID Card | Must be valid and unexpired. |
| Driving License | Must be valid and unexpired. |
| Residence Permit | Must be a valid and unexpired card. We can't accept paper residence permits. |
| Visa | Must be a long-term visa valid for more than 90 days. For a UK eVisa, you must also provide your immigration share code. |
| Refugee Document | We can accept some refugee identity documents. |
This list isn't exhaustive — other types of government-issued documents, like diplomatic IDs, may also be accepted. If your document isn't on this list and you're not sure if it's acceptable, please contact us.
What documents can't you accept?
We can't accept the following documents for this check:
| Document Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Short-term Visas | Tourist visas, transit visas, or any visa valid for 90 days or less. |
| Proof of Address | Utility bills, bank statements, or rental agreements. (These are used for address verification, which is a different check). |
| Digital-only IDs | We can't accept most virtual or electronic documents, like the Estonian e-Residency. The only exception is the UK eVisa with a share code. |
| Applications | Application forms for a visa, permanent residency, or refugee status. |
| Other Documents | Asylum seeker documents, tax bills, census documents, or business documents. |
What happens if my document is rejected?
If your document is rejected (for example, if it was blurry or expired), you can upload it again.
Log in to your account.
Click the same banner you used the first time.
Follow the steps to re-upload your document.
When taking your photo, make sure the document is clear, in good light, and not blurry. All information on it must be easy to read.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes, there are a few rules to be aware of:
EEA Countries: If your registered address is in an EEA country, we can accept a right-to-reside document issued by any other EEA country.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): If your registered address is in a GCC country, we can accept a right-to-reside document issued by any other member country.
Bilateral Agreements: Some countries have agreements that let their citizens live in either country without extra documents. For example, citizens of Australia and New Zealand can reside in either country.
What if I need to change my country of residence?
If your primary residence has permanently moved to a new country, you'll need to update the country on your profile.
If the country field in your profile is greyed out, it means you'll need our help to change it. Please contact us with a document issued by your new country, and we'll help you update it.