PayPal?

[aloram 1]

My fiancee (Vietnamese) and I are living in Hanoi and will be married in a week or so (it just depends on how long the final approval takes). If she sends a small amount of money to me via PayPal, will it raise red flags? I'm talking in the hundreds ($200-500 or so). We want to start paying down my credit card debt, and she can send me money via her PayPal account to my PayPal account, and then I can transfer that directly to my checking account and then to my credit card. After we get married, we'll start the CR-1 petition within a month or two. Please let me know your thoughts on this. I know Vietnam is a "high-risk" country for fraud, and I'm scared that the PayPal transfer(s) will raise a red flag. Thanks a lot.

[amberlynnloves 125]

My fiancee (Vietnamese) and I are living in Hanoi and will be married in a week or so (it just depends on how long the final approval takes). If she sends a small amount of money to me via PayPal, will it raise red flags? I'm talking in the hundreds ($200-500 or so). We want to start paying down my credit card debt, and she can send me money via her PayPal account to my PayPal account, and then I can transfer that directly to my checking account and then to my credit card. After we get married, we'll start the CR-1 petition within a month or two. Please let me know your thoughts on this. I know Vietnam is a "high-risk" country for fraud, and I'm scared that the PayPal transfer(s) will raise a red flag. Thanks a lot.

Great question! However, I think you are ok! USCIS doesn't really look at Paypal. But I'd definitely tell them what it was for if for some chance, they asked. BUT the only concern is (and you'll be fine if you have a bona fide relationship) is that it could be used as some form of "payment" for marriage. Unfortunately, this has to be considered in the immigration process because it happens. Not saying this is your intentions at all, but it does happen. Not just in your country but ALL countries. I don't think Vietnam is considering any more high risk than any other country.

Hang in there and best wishes to you and your bride!

[ScottThuy 140]

how would anyone know that these small amounts were sent.. no govt reporting done on small amounts... non issue IMO

[amberlynnloves 125]

Yeah I don't think its an issue either. My fiance Western Union sent me money from Canada last week and it was a small amount $100. So I don't think its a huge deal. But I had a bill that had to be paid before I got my paycheck and he sent it to me. So I don't think you have anything to worry about. It was more like $5000 they might have an issue.

[confusedasheck 21]

$250 is probably not going to raise an eyebrow. The fraud payments are usually tens of thousands of dollars. So unless you have many many transactions like that which add up to tens of thousands of dollars, you're probably safe.

[quann 26]

the problem might be with paypal. every time i've gone back to vn i've had to notify ebay and paypal i'm vacationing in SE asia so don't be alarmed if a foreign ip attempts to log in. if you regularly use pp in vietnam then it's fine.

is this going to be a monthly thing? pp might shut down the "gift" feature if you abuse it.