money transfer to Russia?

[apgk 0]

I was wondering if some one can recommend any other ways (besides Western Union) of sending money to Russia - quickly, reliably, cheaply, hassle-freely? any experiences?

[TooBig 0]

We always use https://www.xoom.com/ but as I was looking at their website I see no russia

SORRY

[russ 1]

I was wondering if some one can recommend any other ways (besides Western Union) of sending money to Russia - quickly, reliably, cheaply, hassle-freely? any experiences?

Mailing a physical debit card from an account that you can fund in the US would be the easiest way. You are still looking at fees for cash withdrawals of typically 1-3%, plus some transaction fee (typically $5-10). Purchases using a debit card are a bit cheaper (1-3%).

Bank wires are no cheaper than western union, as they charge you on the sending and recieving sides, and are generally difficult with Russian banks.

There are cheaper money-sending methods, of questionable legality. You would generally be violating the Patriot Act by using them, since as we all know, not paying high bank fees helps terrorists. Western Union's ~5% comission is not really that bad, given the convenience.

[bruc 0]

I was wondering if some one can recommend any other ways (besides Western Union) of sending money to Russia - quickly, reliably, cheaply, hassle-freely? any experiences?

I've tried several different ways but Western Union was always the fastest and the cheapest.

I opened a special ATM Debit Card account here in my bank for my fiance and showed her how to use the card.

I put money in it for her when she needs money, only enough at the time of the need...it's fast and the transfer fees is only $1.50 from Russia.

I tried bank transfers...expensive and took a couple of days and more hassle for her than Western Union.

bruc

[visceral image 0]

I used to do Western Union but it bother me thinking of her having to go to the bank, stand in line, bring passport, etc just to get her money. So I opened a new account at my bank and have a debit card for her. Now it is easy to add money to the account and she can get it anytime.

[Imgone 0]

I use moneygram they send just about any where in the world and its cheaper. https://www.emoneygram.com/eMoneyGram/index.do

[Satellite 1]

Suggestion Only:

I've never tried this, but Citibank has branches in Russia, especially in Moscow. Wouldn't opening a joint bank account in the US branch allow you to have a debit card with withdrawal privileges in a Russian branch at no charge at all?

Perhaps not based on this information:

http://www.citibank.ru/russia/info/eng/faq.htm#5

https://web.da-us.citibank.com/cgi-bin/citi...UseBVCookie=yes

http://www.citibank.ru/russia/branches/eng/atms.htm

It might be two separate entities. But who knows.

[Turboguy 6]

If it is going to be a regular thing a debit card with citibank might be the best way to go. If it is one or two times emoneygram is probably about 1/3 the cost of Western Union and maybe even less than that. Once i started using eMoneygram I would never go back to WU

[Nancy2015 2]

Bank wire transfers are cheaper than Western Union, but I don't have experience sending money to Russia - I only have experience receiving money from there. Wire transfer takes about three business days, but the fees are significantly lower than those of WU. I was a Vneshtorgbank customer when I lived there, and if I remember correctly, they either don't charge the recepient for an incoming transfer, or charge 1%. I tried to read the fine print on their site, but I'm not sure I understood everything. I would definitely recommend a wire transfer.

Satellite - my dad once told me that CityBank in Russia is somehow separate from the U.S. Citybank, but I'm not sure if he was right about it.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I've found Western Union is still the best.

Money Gram may be cheaper, but... I was extremely insulted when I gave them a try two years ago. I was sending my fiancée some cash, just because, no other reason. The person I spoke with demanded to know the specific reason I was sending her money. I said, it's a gift. He responded, "For what?" I replied, for what ever she decides. He came back with, "I need a specific reason." I said, How should I know what she wants to buy? It's up to her. I was then given a lecture by him on the Patriot Act. I told him exactly where he could stick that information and made it clear I would refrain from ever using their service. Went back promptly to Western Union who has NEVER asked me why I'm sending cash.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I used to do Western Union but it bother me thinking of her having to go to the bank, stand in line, bring passport, etc just to get her money. So I opened a new account at my bank and have a debit card for her. Now it is easy to add money to the account and she can get it anytime.

John, you do know that your timeline says you haven't sent your I-129f yet, right?? It says your petition was sent on October 1st of 2007. I do believe you are month off. Could you please fix your timeline for us? Thank you very much.

[slim 1,530]

Here's to the Patriot Act

Making America safer, one transaction at a time!