Wise launched eSIM plans for nomads in 150-plus destinations Oct. 6

Wise integrated travel eSIM data packages directly into its mobile application on Oct. 6, letting eligible nomads and other account holders buy roaming data in more than 150 destinations without switching physical SIM cards.

Which nomads can buy Wise eSIM plans

The feature is embedded directly into the Wise app through telecom provider Gigs U.K. Ltd., which supplies connectivity while Wise Payments Limited handles payment and administration. The tool follows other recent platform updates for travelers, including when Wise launched PromptPay and multi-currency accounts for Thailand DTV holders.

Access to the eSIM is restricted by account residence rather than travel destination. Personal and business customers living in countries where Wise permits holding money balances can purchase plans, according to its eSIM help page. Its listed eligible locations include:

• Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S.

• European Economic Area (EEA) member states

• Andorra, the Cayman Islands, Japan, Jersey, Monaco, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Sint Maarten

For traveling nomads and foreign freelancers with eligible personal or business accounts, this adds a data-purchase option. A covered travel destination doesn't by itself make an account eligible; Wise says it's working to make eSIM access available in more countries.

Plan structures and the home-country restriction

Travelers can choose between single-destination packages, custom-duration bundles, regional passes or 12-month global allowances of 20GB, 50GB or 100GB. Regional coverage spans:

• 44 European and U.K. destinations

• 43 Latin American and Caribbean destinations

• 32 Asia and Oceania destinations

• 31 Middle East and Africa destinations

• Three North American destinations

Custom day-and-data configurations are currently limited to selected countries, including Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Vietnam, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, Thailand and the U.S. Available packages can be browsed in the app and purchasers review plan details before confirming payment.

A regulatory limitation restricts purchases of domestic plans. Customers can't purchase an individual single-country plan for the country where their Wise account is officially registered. Expats staying in that registered country must use a qualifying regional or global Wise plan if they need local coverage through this service.

Wallet payments, activation and hardware limits

Every purchase must be funded directly from an existing Wise currency balance. The checkout system doesn't accept external debit cards, credit cards or linked external bank accounts.

Travelers can use their regular SIM for calls and SMS while the Wise eSIM handles travel data.

Each Wise account is limited to one eSIM. Users can't run two active plans on different devices under a single account, though hotspot tethering is permitted from the host phone. Multiple regional or country data packages can be stored on that single profile.

Installation occurs once after the first plan purchase through Cards → Travel hub → Travel eSIM, in the app or on the website. The feature requires Wise app version iOS 9.99 or Android 9.42.0 or later when accessed in the app.

Plan validity begins only when the device connects to a supported cellular network at the destination, not at the moment of installation. Regional or global plans can start immediately in the account's registered country if it's covered, so travelers should leave the eSIM off until ready to use it. Unused plans remain refundable for up to 12 months from the purchase date, after which unactivated packages expire. Remote workers planning cross-border routes can browse destination requirements in our country-by-country breakdowns.