Vaccines, Visa, & Bank Accounts

[DrJekl 0]

The end is in sight, we're so excited. My fiancee's interview appointment is set...

She's not exactly sure which vaccines she'll need, someone told her that she could get the vaccines in the US since they are 'better' - is this true? The CDC website indicates immigrants need them before coming.

I read somewhere (sorry I've read so much I can't keep it straight) that a K1 visa would be stamped in her passport, but she's under the impression they'll mail it to her after the interview - anyone know for sure?

She'll need to transfer her savings to the US soon - my bank doesn't have a SWIFT code, but they have a partner bank that does so we could go that route, I think maybe Western Union might be less prone to error and have similar costs - do you guys have any suggestions for transferring less than $10K USD from China? Honestly the fees are not as important as ease and confidence in the process.

[RobertM54 36]

I guess there are some banks that do not have SWIFT codes. Are you sure yours is one of them?

http://www.bankswiftcode.org/

If you have someone you trust enough, I think bank to bank is the way to go. I use it to transfer money to Peru and it works fine.

Edited January 25, 2016 by RobertM54

[Jenvds 16]

Medical is required before the visa can be issued. The vaccines must be administered before or at the medical in order to "pass" the medical. (or proof that vaccinations have already been administered and are not "expired")

At the interview your fiance must leave the passport if approved. It will be returned to her with the visa already fixed in it. (I believe most embassies use a courier to deliver the passport although I've heard of a few where the immigrant can return to pick up their passport.) so she will have to be without her passport for a period of time.

Edited January 25, 2016 by Jenvds

[EricAndOrn 30]

do you guys have any suggestions for transferring less than $10K USD from China? Honestly the fees are not as important as ease and confidence in the process.

What's wrong with cash?

[Jenvds 16]

My husband has transferred money to me using international wire transfers. He's in Europe and not Asia so I don't know if it's very different.

With his bank he can transfer up to $10,000 for a fee of about 25 on his end and my bank charges me $15 for each transfer on my end.

But be careful to check the exchange rates... That's where some institutions "sneak" extra profit I've heard, by shorting you on the exchange rate.

[clairegie 265]

The end is in sight, we're so excited. My fiancee's interview appointment is set...

She's not exactly sure which vaccines she'll need, someone told her that she could get the vaccines in the US since they are 'better' - is this true? The CDC website indicates immigrants need them before coming. They will determine which vaccines she needs during the medical. They are not "better" in the US. You can have this done in China, just have records to prove it (and have it translated if its not in English). Vaccines are cheaper to get overseas.

I read somewhere (sorry I've read so much I can't keep it straight) that a K1 visa would be stamped in her passport, but she's under the impression they'll mail it to her after the interview - anyone know for sure? The visa is a sticker they put on a page of the passport. They collect her passport during the interview and if approved, they send it back to her with the visa attached.

She'll need to transfer her savings to the US soon - my bank doesn't have a SWIFT code, but they have a partner bank that does so we could go that route, I think maybe Western Union might be less prone to error and have similar costs - do you guys have any suggestions for transferring less than $10K USD from China? Honestly the fees are not as important as ease and confidence in the process. If its less than $10k why not just bring it with her? Customs only wants you declare if you bring > $10k. Just make sure the current exchange rate wont tilt you over 10k. Or is it travelling with that amount that scares you?

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

The end is in sight, we're so excited. My fiancee's interview appointment is set...

She's not exactly sure which vaccines she'll need, someone told her that she could get the vaccines in the US since they are 'better' - is this true? The CDC website indicates immigrants need them before coming.They will determine which vaccines she needs during the medical. They are not "better" in the US. You can have this done in China, just have records to prove it (and have it translated if its not in English). Vaccines are cheaper to get overseas.

I read somewhere (sorry I've read so much I can't keep it straight) that a K1 visa would be stamped in her passport, but she's under the impression they'll mail it to her after the interview - anyone know for sure? The visa is a sticker they put on a page of the passport. They collect her passport during the interview and if approved, they send it back to her with the visa attached.

She'll need to transfer her savings to the US soon - my bank doesn't have a SWIFT code, but they have a partner bank that does so we could go that route, I think maybe Western Union might be less prone to error and have similar costs - do you guys have any suggestions for transferring less than $10K USD from China? Honestly the fees are not as important as ease and confidence in the process. If its less than $10k why not just bring it with her? Customs only wants you declare if you bring > $10k. Just make sure the current exchange rate wont tilt you over 10k. Or is it travelling with that amount that scares you?

Mrs. Regie has the best suggestion, Just withdraw it from the bank, have her to go BoC (when we were exchanging currency in China we rate shopped BoC always had the most favorable exchange rates, even compared to US banks), and just carry the cash with her, and even if it was over $10k, if your only fear is declaring it to Customs, there are no duties, taxes, or fees imposed for cash over $10k if declared, it is just a requirement to help stop trafficking and laundering.