A major breakthrough in cross-border finance: the internationally renowned multi-currency account platform Wise has announced full support for identity verification using Mainland China resident ID cards. This means users in Mainland China can now quickly register, verify, and open accounts using only their ID card—without complex address documentation—making foreign currency asset management easier than ever.

1. About Wise

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a global leader in financial technology, dedicated to providing fast, transparent, and low-cost international money transfers and multi-currency account services. Since its founding in 2011, Wise has disrupted the traditional banking model by eliminating high fees and opaque exchange rates in cross-border payments through its innovative peer-to-peer payment network. Regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Wise safeguards customer funds in segregated accounts to ensure asset security.

Today, Wise serves over 16 million individuals and businesses worldwide, supporting the holding, conversion, and spending of more than 40 currencies. It enables users to easily manage overseas income, make international payments, receive cross-border funds, and efficiently allocate global assets. Whether you're a freelancer, remote worker, or cross-border entrepreneur, Wise has become a preferred financial tool for seamless global money movement.

2. ID Card Registration and Verification Guide for Mainland China Users

Mainland China users can now easily open a personal Wise account by following the steps below:

1. Preparation:

• After registering a Wise account, proceed with foreign currency top-up actions. RMB top-ups are currently not supported. Address verification is no longer required when creating a USD account.
• Important Note: While a CNY (RMB) balance exists as a receiving account, direct RMB deposits or top-ups to Wise are currently not supported. Users must use other foreign currencies for funding.

2. Step-by-Step Instructions:

Select Top-Up Details

• Go to the top-up page, select the desired foreign currency balance (e.g., USD, HKD), enter the amount, and choose your payment method.

• After selecting a payment method, all available top-up options and associated fees will be displayed. Wise charges no additional fees, and HKD top-ups are fee-free.

Identity Verification

• After selecting a payment method, proceed to the identity verification page (only visible if "Mainland China" is selected as your country/region). Choose "National ID Card", prepare your ID, and take real-time photos—uploading existing images is not supported.

• Capture clear photos of both the front and back of your ID card. After submission, complete facial recognition via a live selfie.

Verification Complete

• Upon completion, you'll receive a confirmation email from Wise, indicating that your identity verification is successful. You can then enjoy convenient, low-cost top-ups and transfers, with fully transparent fees and no hidden charges.

3. Key Recommendations for Mainland China Users

• Account Name: It is strongly recommended to use your English (pinyin) name during registration (matching your passport or other international accounts) to facilitate smooth integration with overseas accounts and efficient transfers.
• Top-Up Recommendation: Wise now fully supports fee-free HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) top-ups. Mainland users are advised to fund their Wise HKD account via a Hong Kong bank account (HK card) to minimize potential currency conversion costs.
• Eligibility: This ID verification process is only available for personal accounts. Business account verification does not currently support ID card authentication.

4. Why Choose Wise for Global Fund Management?

Whether you're based overseas or in Mainland China, Wise provides cross-border financial management services for freelancers, remote workers, and cross-border entrepreneurs, supporting multi-currency accounts, international payments, and money transfer functions.

• Easy Fund Repatriation:

  • Conveniently transfer overseas income (e.g., salary) back to China, with support for withdrawals to WeChat Pay, Alipay, or UnionPay cards.
  • Meets various needs such as cross-border spending, family support, and transferring remaining funds after returning from abroad.

• Transparent Multi-Currency Management:

  • With one Wise account, you can hold and manage balances in 40+ currencies, including CNY.
  • Easily receive, convert, and pay in multiple currencies, ideal for handling cross-border income or expenses.

• Effortless Receipt of International Payments:

  • Mainland China users can efficiently receive service fees, project payments, and content creator earnings from global clients or platforms. Highly recommended for freelancers, cross-border e-commerce sellers, content creators, and remote workers.

• Secure and Compliant Global Financial Access:

  • Regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Wise offers secure, transparent, and accessible global financial services.
  • Helps you achieve seamless currency exchange, asset allocation, and steady wealth growth.

5. Multi-Currency Account: One Account for Global Money Management

After opening a Wise multi-currency account, users can hold and manage independent balances in over 40 currencies. You can receive foreign currency payments from overseas (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP) and convert funds to CNY for withdrawal to WeChat, Alipay, or UnionPay debit cards—ideal for domestic spending needs.

This service is primarily designed for:

• Freelancers
• Cross-border e-commerce professionals
• Overseas or remote workers
• Content creators and digital nomads
• Individuals with cross-border transactions or global fund management needs

Account features and services are subject to user identity and local regulations. Actual availability depends on what is supported by the Wise platform.

6. Fee Transparency Example (For Reference Only – Actuals May Vary)

Compared to other major remittance platforms, Wise offers exchange rates close to the mid-market rate. While not always the lowest fee, its speed, transparency, and reliability are trusted by users worldwide.

Example: Sending 1,000 USD to a CNY account:

Note: This table is for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate Wise’s mid-market exchange rate and transparent fee structure. Actual exchange rates and fees may vary and should be checked on the Wise website or app at the time of transaction.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can users from Mainland China now open a WISE account using their national ID card?

Yes! Starting in 2025, Wise officially supports Mainland Chinese residents to complete real-name verification and account registration using their second-generation national ID card. There is no longer a need to provide a passport or proof of address, greatly simplifying the sign-up process.

Q2: Can I top up my Wise account directly with Chinese Yuan (CNY)?

Direct CNY deposits are currently not supported. Users are advised to fund their accounts using foreign currencies such as Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), US Dollars (USD), or Singapore Dollars (SGD). Using a Hong Kong bank account for HKD deposits is recommended for lower fees and minimal loss.

Q3: How long does ID verification take, and is the approval rate high?

Verification is typically completed within minutes after submitting your documents. As long as your ID is clear and legible and facial recognition matches successfully, the approval rate is very high. Please ensure you take the photo in a well-lit environment.

Q4: Can business users verify with an ID card?

No. The ID card verification feature is currently available only for personal accounts. Business users must still follow the original process and submit documents such as a business license and the legal representative's identification for verification.

Q5: Does Wise support withdrawals to WeChat, Alipay, or domestic bank cards?

Yes! Users from Mainland China can withdraw account balances (after converting currencies like USD or EUR to CNY) to UnionPay debit cards, WeChat Wallet, or Alipay balances. The process is simple and funds arrive quickly, making it ideal for receiving overseas salaries or freelance income.

Q6: How secure is Wise? Is my money safe?

Wise is an electronic money institution regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (Firm Reference Number: 900508). Customer funds are held in segregated accounts, completely separate from company operating funds, ensuring security. The platform uses bank-grade encryption to protect transaction privacy.

Q7: Should I register with my Chinese name or English name?

It is recommended to register using your English (pinyin) name, especially if it needs to match your bank account or international payment platforms (such as PayPal, Upwork, Fiverr). This helps improve payment success rates and avoids transfer failures due to name mismatches.

Q8: Can one person have multiple currency accounts?

Yes! A single Wise account allows you to freely open sub-accounts in over 40 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, and HKD. You can receive payments in their respective currencies and enjoy currency conversion rates close to the mid-market rate.

Q9: What fees does Wise charge? Are there any hidden charges?

Wise is known for its "transparent pricing". All fees are clearly displayed before any transaction, including:

• Transfer/currency exchange service fees (calculated based on amount and currency)
• Potential intermediary bank fees (rare) — there are absolutely no hidden or additional charges.

Q10: What should I do if verification fails or I encounter issues? How can I contact customer support?

You can submit a support ticket via the online Help Center on the Wise website or contact the customer service team by email. Support includes a Chinese interface and basic Chinese communication. Response times are fast, typically within 24 hours.

Conclusion

Wise's opening up to users in Mainland China is not just a technological upgrade, but also a breakthrough in financial accessibility. Today, with just a national ID card, you can easily own your own global account, achieving an all-in-one solution for cross-border payments, multi-currency management, and low-cost money transfers. Whether you're a freelancer taking orders from within China, an entrepreneur running a cross-border business, or someone returning home who wants to efficiently manage overseas income, Wise opens the door to seamless global fund movement.

This is more than just opening an account — it's your first step toward international financial management. Simple, transparent, and efficient — Wise is redefining the cross-border payment experience.