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Transferring GBP to USA

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
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I use Worldfirst in London and they are about 1.5 US cents less than my spreadbetting graph which is real time and represents the middle of the real time market..

So when the dollar is 1.985, Worldfirst can usually quote me 1.97

they are v efficient and I have an electronic payment set up at my bank to pay them for free in 3 days...

If I pay Worldfirst £4 extra they will cover the charges all the way through to either the US or my offshore banks..

I used the Halifax PLC once and the rate they gave me was more like a tourist rate- cost me a LOT !

I don't work for Worldfirst or have any sort of hookup but I would recommend using a specialist outfit like that rather than a bank

I have made at least 7 transfers with them without hitch or hassle

Has anyone used other specialist exchange companies like that...?

I know I won't be able to use my spreadbetting trading platform as it will be illegal for companies to provide that to a US resident (work of the DEVIL pilgrim ?) but the spot rates there are bang on the market rates...

It's really handy right now as I bet against the GBP when the exchange rate goes really well which allows me to 'fix' a rate.. I am fixing any time it goes near 2.00 (it is almost there now)

At the worst end of the spectrum, I see airport cash changes charging 12.5 % spread from buy to sell

Anyone who is planning to sell a house in the UK (plus wad) is taking a heck of an exchange risk right now. When we got married in November 05, the dollar was about 12%higher from now. On a house plus wad of even say £350k, you could lose 35k easily if there was a movement...

Of course I hear people say that isn't going to happen .. what do we know ? ... a lot of things can swing an exchange rate 10% and a things could occur which would drop the exchange rate a heck of lot more than any 10%

That would cost some pending VJ immigrants a big piece of change

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Filed: Country: United Kingdom
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I know I won't be able to use my spreadbetting trading platform as it will be illegal for companies to provide that to a US resident (work of the DEVIL pilgrim ?) but the spot rates there are bang on the market rates...

Is that so?

Is there any reason you can't use your trading platform here in the U.S. through a U.S. broker?

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Yeah, Alan, everytime Wes draws money from the Simpson Family Trust Fund, we just can't figure out whether to have it wired, carrier pigeoned or floated at sea.

I agree with you. That exchange rate really sucks. Especially at two-to-one your way. Bothersome, that.

And the price of corks guaranteed to hold a seal during Atlantic gale-storms - yikes!

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Anyone who is planning to sell a house in the UK (plus wad) is taking a heck of an exchange risk right now. When we got married in November 05, the dollar was about 12%higher from now. On a house plus wad of even say £350k, you could lose 35k easily if there was a movement...

Of course I hear people say that isn't going to happen .. what do we know ? ... a lot of things can swing an exchange rate 10% and a things could occur which would drop the exchange rate a heck of lot more than any 10%

That would cost some pending VJ immigrants a big piece of change

Don't....

I am selling a house in the UK and will have just under £200k to take to the US. The buyer pulled out a few weeks ago, I have another buyer just appeared today, I just want it SOLD and the money in the bank ready to move. But there's not much I can do to speed it up :angry:

Mike and Jill's I-130 timeline

9 Jan 2007 - sent application for police record

11 Jan 2007 - posted I-130 off

17 Jan 2007 - I-130 officially filed

22 Feb 2007 - Mike received official job offer in the US

13 Apr 2007 - I-130 approved

21 Apr 2007 - packet 3 received

23 Apr 2007 - posted packet 3 to Embassy

25 Apr 2007 - packet 3 received at Embassy PO box

30 Apr 2007 - medical in London

30 Apr 2007 - received packet 4

7 Jun 2007 - interview - visa approved :-)))

9 Jun 2007 - received visa and mystery brown envelope

30 Jun 2007 - planning to move to US

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
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Anyone who is planning to sell a house in the UK (plus wad) is taking a heck of an exchange risk right now. When we got married in November 05, the dollar was about 12%higher from now. On a house plus wad of even say £350k, you could lose 35k easily if there was a movement...

Of course I hear people say that isn't going to happen .. what do we know ? ... a lot of things can swing an exchange rate 10% and a things could occur which would drop the exchange rate a heck of lot more than any 10%

That would cost some pending VJ immigrants a big piece of change

Don't....

I am selling a house in the UK and will have just under £200k to take to the US. The buyer pulled out a few weeks ago, I have another buyer just appeared today, I just want it SOLD and the money in the bank ready to move. But there's not much I can do to speed it up :angry:

All I can say is don't believe anyone (including me) as far as future house prices and exchange rates are concerned. I think 2.00 USD to a £ is very good and I will take that. If it goes to 2.10 I will have a wry smile but if it goes to 1.70 I will stamp my feet - so I am going to take 2.00

My pal says UK house prices will come off 10% in the next year - its possible as its more than 10 years since the last 10 yearly slump - but there are new forces at work such as immigration, divorce, and even 'white flight' (yes it exists)... so it depends on what kind of house you are trying to sell and what is the typical buyer - the overall average market is one thing but your specific kind of house in your specific kind of area, plus some good luck, is what will sell your house - no matter what the market is like.

Careful of averages - if you have one foot in the fire and one foot in the fridge, then on average you are comfortable.

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I use this company http://www.interchangefx.co.uk/ who I believe mags recommended. Excellent service, no complaints at all.

Hope it helps.

Helen

10 year Green Card received, Next step is citizenship urgh!

When you meet the one you want to spend the rest of your life with,

you can't wait for the rest of your life to begin

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
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Yeah, Alan, everytime Wes draws money from the Simpson Family Trust Fund, we just can't figure out whether to have it wired, carrier pigeoned or floated at sea.

I agree with you. That exchange rate really sucks. Especially at two-to-one your way. Bothersome, that.

And the price of corks guaranteed to hold a seal during Atlantic gale-storms - yikes!

Can't quite decide what this post is trying to say, though I guess it is disapointment that a retired 59 and a half year old guy like me is getting a good exchange rate on the life savings he is bringing to the US

If that is malice or envy then I have met that before and I just hope you like my new speedboat anchored in the bay haha !, if it's just wine talking then cheers !

alan

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
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I use this company http://www.interchangefx.co.uk/ who I believe mags recommended. Excellent service, no complaints at all.

Hope it helps.

Helen

Excellent - its best to have 2 companies to compare margins so I will will check with them that wordfirst are in line...

many thanks

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I use this company http://www.interchangefx.co.uk/ who I believe mags recommended. Excellent service, no complaints at all.

Hope it helps.

Helen

Excellent - its best to have 2 companies to compare margins so I will will check with them that wordfirst are in line...

many thanks

Not sure if this is of help but our US bank account allows me to send cheques - sorry checks, (must watch my English/American!!) directly to our account. It maybe because it's specifically for the military but they don't charge and the last time I checked they were converting at 1.98. It is not a service they advertise but I just called and asked their advice and voila free service. It's not every day one of those pops it's head up from a banking service! Yipee for USAA!

May be worth a quick call to your own US bank?

Emma

Married 16th April 2007 - Seattle :)

17th April completing military paperwork (Honeymoon?)

Emma flew back to UK 18th April 2007 :(

Change of name documents arrived for Emma and children

Fedex Em's paper work for I-130 to E in US - 10/05/07

E completed all his paper work - 13/05/07 (I'm impressed!)

Emma had nightmare that all her details were filled out incorrectly and actually spent 6 hours thinking it was real - 13th May !!!!!!

first hiccup - E "out" with work can't get to post office now until 21st May!!!

24th May 2007 - I-130 posted

29th May 2007 - I-130 received at 7am (somebody starts work early!!)

13th June Cheques cleared - one small step but an exciting one!

15th October NOA2 received - 145 days

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Filed: Other Country: England
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I use Worldfirst in London and they are about 1.5 US cents less than my spreadbetting graph which is real time and represents the middle of the real time market..

So when the dollar is 1.985, Worldfirst can usually quote me 1.97

they are v efficient and I have an electronic payment set up at my bank to pay them for free in 3 days...

If I pay Worldfirst £4 extra they will cover the charges all the way through to either the US or my offshore banks..

I used the Halifax PLC once and the rate they gave me was more like a tourist rate- cost me a LOT !

I don't work for Worldfirst or have any sort of hookup but I would recommend using a specialist outfit like that rather than a bank

I have made at least 7 transfers with them without hitch or hassle

Has anyone used other specialist exchange companies like that...?

I know I won't be able to use my spreadbetting trading platform as it will be illegal for companies to provide that to a US resident (work of the DEVIL pilgrim ?) but the spot rates there are bang on the market rates...

It's really handy right now as I bet against the GBP when the exchange rate goes really well which allows me to 'fix' a rate.. I am fixing any time it goes near 2.00 (it is almost there now)

At the worst end of the spectrum, I see airport cash changes charging 12.5 % spread from buy to sell

Anyone who is planning to sell a house in the UK (plus wad) is taking a heck of an exchange risk right now. When we got married in November 05, the dollar was about 12%higher from now. On a house plus wad of even say £350k, you could lose 35k easily if there was a movement...

Of course I hear people say that isn't going to happen .. what do we know ? ... a lot of things can swing an exchange rate 10% and a things could occur which would drop the exchange rate a heck of lot more than any 10%

That would cost some pending VJ immigrants a big piece of change

Thanks for the tip. Just the kind of reccomendation I was looking for. It feels so risky to transfer every penny you have electronically.

Won't High street banks give you the business rate if you are transferring house sale quantities of money?

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I use this company http://www.interchangefx.co.uk/ who I believe mags recommended. Excellent service, no complaints at all.

Hope it helps.

Helen

I use them too (having seen a few recommendations on here) - and I agree, an excellent service. Just arranged another exchange/transfer with them today, and it was all nice & straightforward - got a good rate too, it seems like you can usually negotiate a bit on the rate! :)

2005 - We met

2006 - Filed I-129F

2007 - K-1 issued, moved to US, completed AOS (a busy year, immigration-wise)

2009 - Conditions lifted

2010 - Will be naturalising. Buh-bye, USCIS! smile.png

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Filed: Other Country: England
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I use this company http://www.interchangefx.co.uk/ who I believe mags recommended. Excellent service, no complaints at all.

Hope it helps.

Helen

Excellent - its best to have 2 companies to compare margins so I will will check with them that wordfirst are in line...

many thanks

Not sure if this is of help but our US bank account allows me to send cheques - sorry checks, (must watch my English/American!!) directly to our account. It maybe because it's specifically for the military but they don't charge and the last time I checked they were converting at 1.98. It is not a service they advertise but I just called and asked their advice and voila free service. It's not every day one of those pops it's head up from a banking service! Yipee for USAA!

May be worth a quick call to your own US bank?

Emma

Really? That's unbelievable. I don't suppose it's Chase Bank is it? I will have to call them.

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Anyone who is planning to sell a house in the UK (plus wad) is taking a heck of an exchange risk right now. When we got married in November 05, the dollar was about 12%higher from now. On a house plus wad of even say £350k, you could lose 35k easily if there was a movement...

Of course I hear people say that isn't going to happen .. what do we know ? ... a lot of things can swing an exchange rate 10% and a things could occur which would drop the exchange rate a heck of lot more than any 10%

That would cost some pending VJ immigrants a big piece of change

Don't....

I am selling a house in the UK and will have just under £200k to take to the US. The buyer pulled out a few weeks ago, I have another buyer just appeared today, I just want it SOLD and the money in the bank ready to move. But there's not much I can do to speed it up :angry:

All I can say is don't believe anyone (including me) as far as future house prices and exchange rates are concerned. I think 2.00 USD to a £ is very good and I will take that. If it goes to 2.10 I will have a wry smile but if it goes to 1.70 I will stamp my feet - so I am going to take 2.00

My pal says UK house prices will come off 10% in the next year - its possible as its more than 10 years since the last 10 yearly slump - but there are new forces at work such as immigration, divorce, and even 'white flight' (yes it exists)... so it depends on what kind of house you are trying to sell and what is the typical buyer - the overall average market is one thing but your specific kind of house in your specific kind of area, plus some good luck, is what will sell your house - no matter what the market is like.

Careful of averages - if you have one foot in the fire and one foot in the fridge, then on average you are comfortable.

LOL thank you! I have sold the house today but I won't consider it properly 'sold' till we've exchanged contracts which will take another 4-5 weeks the way the UK market works. I've not had any problem selling my house - it is very sellable - the problem has been finding people who are ready to buy ie who have sold their own house. But I think we *may* be there (she says very gingerly)...

I agree, if the rate goes up to 2.10 I don't think I will care, I will just be grateful if I get 2.00.

Mike and Jill's I-130 timeline

9 Jan 2007 - sent application for police record

11 Jan 2007 - posted I-130 off

17 Jan 2007 - I-130 officially filed

22 Feb 2007 - Mike received official job offer in the US

13 Apr 2007 - I-130 approved

21 Apr 2007 - packet 3 received

23 Apr 2007 - posted packet 3 to Embassy

25 Apr 2007 - packet 3 received at Embassy PO box

30 Apr 2007 - medical in London

30 Apr 2007 - received packet 4

7 Jun 2007 - interview - visa approved :-)))

9 Jun 2007 - received visa and mystery brown envelope

30 Jun 2007 - planning to move to US

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
Timeline
I use this company http://www.interchangefx.co.uk/ who I believe mags recommended. Excellent service, no complaints at all.

Hope it helps.

Helen

Excellent - its best to have 2 companies to compare margins so I will will check with them that wordfirst are in line...

many thanks

Not sure if this is of help but our US bank account allows me to send cheques - sorry checks, (must watch my English/American!!) directly to our account. It maybe because it's specifically for the military but they don't charge and the last time I checked they were converting at 1.98. It is not a service they advertise but I just called and asked their advice and voila free service. It's not every day one of those pops it's head up from a banking service! Yipee for USAA!

May be worth a quick call to your own US bank?

Emma

wow that's brill ! 1.98 is excellent and as long as there are no associated charges that's great... When you put a US check into a UK bank it can be a long time before it 'clears' ie before you can spend it - but that is a superb rate 1.98 - a UK bank would rip you off deluxe if you deposited dollars

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