Loading article…
The Wise debit card lets you withdraw cash abroad with no withdrawal fee up to CAD 100 per calendar month, then CAD 2.69 plus 2.69% per withdrawal, with conversion fees often under 0.5% to euros or US dollars. It works best alongside a no foreign transaction fee credit card, which remains the better choice for purchases.
For ways to reduce the costs of foreign currency withdrawals, you have several options: paying with a traditional credit card, exchanging currency in Canada before you leave, withdrawing with your usual debit card or using a multi-currency card.
The Wise Visa debit card works at ATMs that accept Visa around the world and keeps fees low on foreign currency withdrawals. Here’s how to use it and what it offers for foreign currency withdrawals.
What is the Wise Card?
Formerly known as Transferwise, Wise is an easy-to-use international money transfer service with competitive fees.
How to Obtain and Activate Your Wise Card
With Wise, everything is done online. As soon as your application is complete, you can use your digital card by adding it to your digital wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Pay and others). All card details are in the application or on the website.
After creating your Wise account, you can go to the “Cards” tab in the left-hand menu and follow the instructions to order your Wise debit card. The card will be sent to you free of charge, unless you choose express delivery (from CAD 15.41).
How the Wise Card Works Abroad
Add Funds
Once you’ve received and activated your physical card, all you have to do is add money to your Wise account, a really quick process when you link your bank account directly to your Wise account. Please note that you can simply add the money to your account in Canadian dollars, this will not prevent you from withdrawing in the currency of the country you are in.
Wise clearly shows the transfer fees for each method. Direct debit from your bank account is usually the cheapest: in the example below, adding $100 costs $0.23.
Once the transfer is confirmed, the money reaches your account quickly. When travelling, that’s handy: you can top up your Wise card in the app right before heading to the ATM.
ATM Withdrawals
To withdraw cash abroad, favour ATMs run by the country’s major banks. Most accept Visa cards, including the Wise debit card.
Isolated ATMs not directly associated with a bank, such as those found in convenience stores, restaurants or on the street, are often the most expensive in terms of fees.
Once you’ve withdrawn cash, you’ll receive a notification of the transaction amount in the currency of your Wise account (CAD, for example). You can then open each transaction in the app and see the full breakdown of the fees charged.
The details of each transaction show that fees stay low, whereas a traditional bank debit card often adds a flat fee to every withdrawal abroad.
Fees and Exchange Rates
Before making your withdrawal, you can find out about Wise bankcard conversion fees by going to the “Card” section of the menu, then “Travel”. Simply enter the country in question to find the conversion fee.
If we compare these fees with the 2.5% charged by traditional credit cards on each transaction, they are often much lower. For example, on a CAD 1,000 purchase, Wise’s calculator shows about $4 in fees to euros (under 0.5%) and about $20 to Moroccan dirhams (around 2%).
ATM withdrawals are free up to CAD 100 in total per calendar month; beyond that, Wise charges CAD 2.69 plus 2.69% per withdrawal. The app shows how much you can still withdraw without a fee and breaks down each charge in this section, worth exploring for more tips on saving on foreign currency withdrawals.
Wise Card – Advantages and Disadvantages
The Wise card stands out from other options for cash withdrawals abroad:
- Low conversion fees (under 0.5% to euros or US dollars)
- Simple, effective mobile application
- 40+ currencies
- Accepted in 150+ countries and territories
- Instant protection and card freezing
- Immediate top up
The app lets you top up the card in moments, and fees stay low compared with using a bank debit card abroad.
Like all products, the Wise card has its drawbacks:
- Withdrawal fees beyond CAD 100 per calendar month
- Internet connection required to add funds
- Not compatible with Desjardins for electronic funds transfers (EFT)
- No rewards or cash-back program
- Online customer support only
Despite these few limitations, the Wise card remains one of the best solutions for accessing your money abroad.
Another option: the Wealthsimple chequing account and its prepaid card charge no FX fee and reimburse ATM fees worldwide. However, the card doesn’t work in some countries. Read our complete guide on this account:
Wise Card or No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Card?
The two solutions work together. A no foreign transaction fee credit card, like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card, remains the better choice for purchases: it earns points and, depending on the card, includes travel insurance.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $350
- Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months
- Up to 35,000 points
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now
on Scotiabank's website
The Wise card is mainly for ATM cash withdrawals. It’s especially handy in countries where cash still dominates, such as Morocco, or in small shops that don’t take credit cards.
Bottom Line
The Wise card lets you withdraw cash almost anywhere at low cost, with a simple, fast app. Fees are shown before each transaction, which helps you better understand foreign currency transactions.
For purchases, a no foreign transaction fee credit card like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card remains the better way to earn points. The Wise debit card takes over when cash is the only option.
If you travel regularly, a credit card with no conversion fees will save you a lot of money. Discover them here:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | |||
| $240 | |||
| $495 |
More tips for long-term travel on a budget:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Wise card secure?
Yes. Wise Payments Canada is registered as a money services business with FINTRAC and holds a money services business licence with Revenu Québec. The app instantly freezes the card in case of loss, every transaction is PIN-protected and you receive a real-time notification for each use. You cannot withdraw more than the funds you have prepaid.
What are the Wise card fees?
The card is free with no monthly fees; express delivery starts at CAD 15.41 and a replacement card costs CAD 5. Conversion fees depend on the currency and the amount, and are shown before each transaction: on a CAD 1,000 purchase, Wise’s calculator shows under 0.5% to euros or US dollars, around 0.65% to Mexican pesos and around 1.4% to Costa Rican colóns. ATM withdrawals are free up to CAD 100 in total per calendar month, then cost CAD 2.69 plus 2.69% per withdrawal.
In which countries is the Wise card refused?
The Wise card cannot be used in any of the following countries: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. A card issued in Canada also does not work in Crimea, in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, or in the Palestinian Territories.
How much can I withdraw per month with the Wise card?
Wise sets daily and monthly withdrawal limits specific to each account. You can view and adjust them in the app or on the website, under Limits in your profile.
How can I keep withdrawal fees to a minimum?
Prefer withdrawals from major bank ATMs and avoid small independent ones. Some banks abroad do not charge fees for withdrawals with international cards: check before you leave. Once you pass the free CAD 100, the CAD 2.69 flat fee applies to every withdrawal, so one larger withdrawal beats several small ones.
Can I withdraw money in Canada with the Wise card?
Yes. According to Wise’s Help Centre, a card issued in Canada works at ATMs in Canada as well as abroad. The free CAD 100 monthly allowance covers all your withdrawals.