International Money Transfers Made Easy

International money transfers to South Africa are not always as straightforward as say, UK to an EU country; added to that, as accredited agents your rent is collected into a trust account (the same account used by legal professional for client funds).  Trust accounts have restriction on how the money can be deposited, deposit can't be made by credit or debits cards; here's where money transfer Apps like Wise step in. Pay Wise with your Credit Card and they handle the rest.

Below is an easy to follow guide on how to use Wise for the money transfers.  Please note, there are other Apps to consider, we're sharing information on Wise because our clients use Wise more than any other App, and they won the Best Money App in the 2024 Smart Money Awards.

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated to Wise and we don't earn any commission from them.  All money transfers are made entirely at your own risk, including any transfers you may make through Wise.

1. Opening a Wise Account

1. Go to Wise
   Visit https://wise.com or download the Wise app from the App Store / Google Play.
2. Sign up
   • Choose Personal or Business account.
   • Provide your email, create a password, and select your country of residence.
3. Verify your identity (Wise must verify before you can send money)
   • Upload a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card)
   • Take a selfie or live photo
   • Upload proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or official letter with your name and address)

2. Setting Up Your Transfer

1. Log in to your Wise account.
2. Select "Send money".
3. Choose:
   • Currency you're sending from (e.g., GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, etc.)
   • Currency to receive: ZAR (South African Rand)
   • Amount to send
4. Enter recipient details:
   • Full name (must match bank records exactly)
   • Bank name (Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Capitec, etc.)
   • Account number
   • Branch code (optional - Wise often auto-detects)
   • Account type (cheque/current or savings)

3. Funding the Transfer

Wise offers different payment options depending on the sender's country:

• Bank transfer / local transfer - often the cheapest
• SWIFT / wire transfer - for cross-border payments where local bank transfer isn't possible
• Debit or credit card - instant but higher fees
• Apple Pay / Google Pay - available in some countries

Wise will give exact payment instructions for your country - sometimes they'll give you a local Wise bank accountto pay into, which reduces fees.

4. Transfer Times

• Local bank transfer or card - often arrives same day to 2 business days
• SWIFT transfers - can take 2-5 business days depending on banks involved
• Wise will always show you the estimated delivery time before you confirm.

💡 Tips for Sending from Anywhere

• Always match the name on the account exactly to avoid rejections.
• For large amounts, Wise may ask for extra documentation (e.g., proof of income or source of funds) - this is normal for anti-money laundering compliance.
• South African banks may request FICA compliance for the recipient before releasing big transfers.
• Check Wise's currency route page for your country → https://wise.com/help → search "sending from [your country] to South Africa."