Sending money

[Anh map 2,098]

from everyone opinion...

the money sent should be left out of the whole process...?

Depends on the point of view,

1.it helps in the case of proving a bona fide relationship where you're supporting the SO...

2. it may appear as if there are other intentions/motives...

Do it (send money) for honest reasons, not because you think it may or may not help your case...(but if you do, save the receipt for evidence!)

I think that it would be more problematic for a fiance petition than spouse.

Definitely should not be the conerstone of the bona fide relationship evidence.

[Bernie C 24]

Hey guys,

Thu asked me to send her some money because she needs to buy new clothes. I have to admit, the clothes she has right now are starting to fade

I read at at the K1 Forum about members sending money to their fiance'. Since I will be dealing with the HCMC consulate later down the road when I file, I was wondering if any members here that have sent money to their fiance' in VN. Is this a good idea or bad idea? Also if I do send money to her, should I provide evidence of this with my I-129F petion? I am a bit worried that it is going to look bad if I send money to her just so she can buy new clothes. Anybody dealing with VN have any experience with this? The Walmart Visa Green Dot Cards are basically pre-paid cards. I can add funds to the cards here, and then mail the card with her name printed on it, to her home in VN. She can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted and at ATM machines to withdraw cash.

<CARRICK>

I have used Moneygram. It is convenient for both of us, the fee is very low and Doan's bank happens to be a recipient so she just goes, gives the info I send her and moves it to her account. I sent a fairly large amount last spring before our ceremony and have all the receipts to show how it all was spent in the event it would ever be questioned. Hall rental, photograher, tailor etc ... I always ask Doan to keep all receipts, better to keep it covered and avoid possible questions and problems later. Things that cannot be explained with proof are always a possible risk.

Bottom Line - its not a bad idea if your comfortable doing it - but if you wern't you would be engaged!!! Just cover yourself with proof in the event a CO scrutinizes.

[decker 1]

I used to send via Western Union from my bank. It is cheaper if you do it at your bank than at a WU branch. Save all the receipts and you can use as evidence if you want to. The pick -up in VN is a little challenging. She needs to have the number and her name and your name need to be exact matches. Linh and I learned the hard way on that.

You can also bank transfer. ACB and Vietcombank can do this if she has an account.

Perhaps you could set up a joint account with Citibank? Just a thought.

[wratran 0]

I been using the vietnamse company for money trasnfer for over a year....no problems.

You just have to go with friend recomendation. I know there are a lot of shady company out there.

[lindal24 1]

I think that it would be more problematic for a fiance petition than spouse.

Definitely should not be the conerstone of the bona fide relationship evidence.

I used it as evidence of co-mingling finances in my petition...

[vietazn 1]

If you send money, have a good reason.

If you don't send money, have a good reason.

Don't send too much money, and don't send prior to engagement.

Make sure the money transfer company is properly licensed and authorized to do money transfers

because you don't want to be documenting money transfers if the money transfer company is

not legitmate.

Clothes, unless it is clothes for the interview for her to be more presentable, might not be a good reason.

[cavoi xanh1 0]

But one thing that the OP and others should also consider is that when you send money, you should keep in mind that $100 is ALOT of money in VN. People with a good job over there only make an approximate average annual salary of $2,000 USD--if even that! If your SO is asking you to send money, you should ask why--not in the questioning way, but rather for what. Sure you love them and everything and you want a better life for them, and it's nice to send them money for special occasions or specific purposes, i.e. English Classes, Specialized Employment School, Weddings/Funerals/B-Day, etc. but people in VN are used to the lifestyles they've grown accustomed to.

$100 USD can get you 42.8 bowls of pho.

[lindal24 1]

But one thing that the OP and others should also consider is that when you send money, you should keep in mind that $100 is ALOT of money in VN. People with a good job over there only make an approximate average annual salary of $2,000 USD--if even that! If your SO is asking you to send money, you should ask why--not in the questioning way, but rather for what. Sure you love them and everything and you want a better life for them, and it's nice to send them money for special occasions or specific purposes, i.e. English Classes, Specialized Employment School, Weddings/Funerals/B-Day, etc. but people in VN are used to the lifestyles they've grown accustomed to.

$100 USD can get you 42.8 bowls of pho.

You must be in district 1 if you're paying 42,000 for pho...either that or a damn good bowl of pho!! lol....

In District 12, they have an awesome bowl of pho for 20,000VND so with your $100USD you can eat pho 3 times a day for a month!!!

[SuperDuper! 230]

from everyone opinion...

the money sent should be left out of the whole process...?

Incorrect. Money is a necessary evil and makes the world go round. What considerate boyfriend or hubbie would not send a little green to his future wife? To me, that says he is uncaring and cheap. It's perfectly fine to send your girl a modest weekly allowance, and even shows commitment to the woman. Nothing says love like a little money for your honey. Put it where your mouth is, 'cause talk is cheap!

[wratran 0]

i wont mentioned the money sent in my timeline.

IF you think like a CO, they might think there's an alterior motive from your fiance. Most of us send money because we care about our love one. I am not sure if the CO will look at it that way.

[WeatherEmperor 21]

Thank you all for your advice. I will think about it a bit longer to see if I should send her money. She says the money is for clothing, but I should still cover my bases. Like Ahn map said, I think they money I do send should be for gifts such as for the holidays. I probably won't be using as evidence of a relationship though. The risk heavily outweighs the reward with this setup. It is worth noting that when I was still living in Suriname as a small boy, I had clothes that were worn out, but I still wore them because that is all I had.

Edited October 9, 2009 by WeatherEmperor

[WeatherEmperor 21]

I forgot to ask one other thing. I would be able to send Thu money to help pay for the various filing fees for the K1 Visa right?

[luckytxn 2,264]

I forgot to ask one other thing. I would be able to send Thu money to help pay for the various filing fees for the K1 Visa right?

That is what we all have done. Most here send some spending money to our loves there so they can go out and enjoy their new status and show off some. What I was trying to say at the beginning was that if my now wife had asked me for money to buy clothes then that would have been a red flag to me. It sounds like she is taking advantage but it is not the same when we offer to send a bit of scratch money and they go out and buy clothes and/or whatever they want to do with it. Like my wife had a shop that she ran that sold shoes and hats and other things of the sort. After she had gotten engaged and it went along she had to pretty much turn over the shop to another close relative to keep that money earnings coming into the family coffers. She also needed to start school to learn English and mine even went to learn cosmetology so she was now not making any money of her own that she had before so she asked me to send her about 60 dollars a month that she was making before that was her own after the deductions to the family coffers. I laughed and said I would send her more than that as it was absurd to me as an American that someone could live decently on that amount. I sent her 200 dollars and said I would send that amount when she got low. Mine got mad at me for sending so much for some reason and we had our first argument ever. (Still not sure why it was an issue). Every couple of months and even once after 3 months I sent about that same amount to her and for special times (Like womans day or other holidays) I sent extra for her to give to her mother to pass out to the family or buy whatever. It was a few hundred every few months.

As she was leaving she then passed out to her cousins or nieces or whoever her scooter and room and many other things and even her computer. To make a long story shorter. This is customary and all and her asking for money to buy clothes sounds very unusual to many. It is money grubbing and unsavory sounding.

[Teacher Mark 53]

I use western union. all you have to do is keep receipt and write the confirmation number down. it takes minutes and all she needs is her ID and the number. its like 10 bucks for 100 and like 15 for 200. I am not sure. but it always works.

Your agent is overcharging you. You should find another agent, or use Western Union online. It should only be about $4 for $100, and $6 for $200.

Also, get a Western Union "Gold Card" (no, it's not a credit card). Most agents will sign you up for free. Once you have it, they'll keep your recipients info in the computer. You can walk into any Western Union agent shop, hand them the card, tell them which recipient on your list you're sending to, and give them the cash. You won't have to fill out paperwork ever again, and you'll still get the printed receipts. A nice bonus is you get phone minutes with each transfer.

The Western Union rates are set by the company themselves, so the agent couldn't be overcharging. You are probably using WU Direct Connect. It's cheaper, but not available everywhere. Most Pilot and T/A truck stops do have it though. You can always tell it's a D/C provider if you have to call WU and get a transaction number, then go to the counter and pay (cash only). I wrote a dissertation on the subject here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=direct+connect

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I use western union. all you have to do is keep receipt and write the confirmation number down. it takes minutes and all she needs is her ID and the number. its like 10 bucks for 100 and like 15 for 200. I am not sure. but it always works.

Your agent is overcharging you. You should find another agent, or use Western Union online. It should only be about $4 for $100, and $6 for $200.

Also, get a Western Union "Gold Card" (no, it's not a credit card). Most agents will sign you up for free. Once you have it, they'll keep your recipients info in the computer. You can walk into any Western Union agent shop, hand them the card, tell them which recipient on your list you're sending to, and give them the cash. You won't have to fill out paperwork ever again, and you'll still get the printed receipts. A nice bonus is you get phone minutes with each transfer.

The Western Union rates are set by the company themselves, so the agent couldn't be overcharging. You are probably using WU Direct Connect. It's cheaper, but not available everywhere. Most Pilot and T/A truck stops do have it though. You can always tell it's a D/C provider if you have to call WU and get a transaction number, then go to the counter and pay (cash only). I wrote a dissertation on the subject here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=direct+connect

Thanks. Good info!

I've used both online and local Western Union agents at Cashex and Cash1 (check cashing and payday loan ripoff joints, but ok for Western Union). I do have a "Gold Card", but it hasn't changed my fees. It does make it way more convenient to send cash, since I no longer have to fill out any forms. Don't know if I'll ever actually use the phone minutes, though.

Anyway, I sent some money two weeks ago at Cash1, and again today using Western Union online. I sent the same amount of money, and paid the same amount in both cases. I didn't have to call anyone to get the MTCN number. Both Cash1 and WU online gave me the MTCN number after the transfer was finished.

It says on the Western Union site that the fees are country specific. That might explain why it's so cheap to send to Vietnam.