[Bozeman]

In order to link our US bank account to either our NZ bank account or to XEtrade, we are required to complete forms, have signatures verified, physically mail the documents to the US and then wait for a minimum of two weeks. Simply write a US dollar check for exchange and deposit into our local ASB account? 21 business days for the check to clear.

Transferring money from our Hong Kong account has been relatively straight forward so the above may just be a US thing. In any event, I wish we had started the process much earlier.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Good advice for anyone starting the process. Worth doing the leg work looking into the in's and out's of money transers and the process early on so you get no surprises later.

There is enough stress around when you first get here. Finding that you need to bring a lump sum over quickly to say, pay for a new car, and finding it will take a lot more time than you thought, doesn't help.

[Red Devil]

That's where the Offshore accounts play their part. Having everything in order, transferring from our NatWest account takes approx. 3 to 5 working days using their 'Smart Card Reader' (http://www.natwestinternational.com/international02.asp?id=INTERNATIONAL/DAY_TO_DAY/INTERNET_BANKING/I_BANKING/FIRST_TIME_USERS) method... highly recommended :)

[Kirst&Kev]

Oooh thanks for the heads up on that! Naive me thought it would only be a working week, regardless of what method :o

Kirstie (going off to add onto her already extensive to-do list) :exit