Savings brought with you to the U.S?

[isuckspam 0]

Just curious how much money you or your partner (if any) brought with you to the U.S when you moved across.

I was plannig on bringing no less than $30,000. I figured $10-15,000 in startup costs, i.e: car, digs, cost of living before E.A.D, blah blah... then the other $15-20,000 as backup should it all go tits up and I have to move back home, or for other unforseen circumstances.

Is this an excessive amount? or perhaps not enough? (what's the antonym of excessive?)

Any thoughts?

Cheers.

-Ron

[ladybutterfly 0]

I brought about $7000 with me, that was from the sale of my car amongst other things. Didnt have any more money to bring with me. I was lucky in the fact that my now husband bought me a car and has supported me for five months.

[ChristinaM 0]

I brought the grand sum of $800 with me, so you're WELL away!

Just a thought though - be aware of the customs implications of bringing a whole lot of money over. I'm not sure how it works, but you might want to check that out.

[Fandango 1,439]

you could always arrange a bank transfer so that you're not actually bringing in much cash.

[isuckspam 0]

Yeh, I'll be doing a transfer via banks, and leaving some in an account over here.

[canadalaura 0]

hehe...$30,000? I wish. I had maybe $5,000 - it helped us to partially furnish our home, and pay for AOS, that's about it... but we were fine

[Ephesia 0]

(what's the antonym of excessive?)

Frugal.

[isuckspam 0]

(what's the antonym of excessive?)

Frugal.

Sure?

[Cali Gal CPA 0]

None, as in NADA. But I came here debt-free

[Kajikit 65]

I didn't have much cash to bring!... there was a little bit in my Australian bank account and I left it there because that way my family could use it to give me money for presents etc, and I can make withdrawals from any Cirrus ATM (ie.Bank of America) to get the cash out.

I brought five hundred dollars in travellers checks for emergencies, about a hundred dollars Australian cash and the same US.

[blackbettie 0]

I'm not in the US yet, but I plan to go there debt-free (just paid off my student-loan debt, wahoo!) and with about $5.000. I just finished my studies last year and didn't have the time to save more, but I guess (hope) we'll be ok.

[Ephesia 0]

(what's the antonym of excessive?)

Frugal.

Sure?

Yup

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Over 10k US dollars in cash, traveller's cheques or money orders/ bankers drafts (I think thats the right amount) you have to declare but as far as I'm aware you can still bring in sums in excess of that and again AFAIK its not taxable - but under $10k you don't need to declare upon entry.

[Fandango 1,439]

To answer the original question: as much as humanly poss, heh.

I'm a little concerned if D starts doing transfers to my acct before he gets here, cos wouldn't that look strange to USCIS?

Edited February 6, 2006 by LisaD

[isuckspam 0]

Wow.

Better safe than sorry I guess.

Ta.