Sending Money

[FormerlyKnownAs 17]

For a variety of reasons, I find myself occasionally wanting to send money to my fiance (in Cairo). As my topic subtitle asks, I would like some input on whether this will raise a red flag, if it is legal, etc. We will be getting married this year, filing CR1 at some point, if that makes a difference. Also, if there is a "best" method for sending money to Egypt, I would love to hear input.

Please no comments or speculation on whether I am being hustled, swindled, etc. Sometimes engaged couples have purchases they would like to jointly contribute to, let's leave it at that.

Thank you all in advance.

[UKGirl123 24]

I know many people who have sent money. I sent money to the USA to my fiance for the visa fees....I would think this way round would have raised more a flag than the other way round. Though I am not sure if it is actually classed a red flag, I am sure some others will post and let you know.

I don't think you will be judged, for sending money. At least I hope not. It could be that you are helping with the cost of the interview or her medical.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

There is nothing wrong with sending money. I send money to my husband when necessary. The embassy will not know about it unless they ask.

[* Kristin * 49]

We use xe.com to transfer currency all the time; albeit between UK and US but also US and UK

There is nothing wrong with sending money. I send money to my husband when necessary. The embassy will not know about it unless they ask.

[mandyu1 5]

For a variety of reasons, I find myself occasionally wanting to send money to my fiance (in Cairo). As my topic subtitle asks, I would like some input on whether this will raise a red flag, if it is legal, etc. We will be getting married this year, filing CR1 at some point, if that makes a difference. Also, if there is a "best" method for sending money to Egypt, I would love to hear input.

Please no comments or speculation on whether I am being hustled, swindled, etc. Sometimes engaged couples have purchases they would like to jointly contribute to, let's leave it at that.

Thank you all in advance.

I have sent my fiance money in Cairo before and the best way I think is to do it western union. I don't think it will raise any red flags, unless of course it's a substantial amount of money. Also, we were never asked about it during the interview and I'm the type of person that doesn't offer information if it can be used both ways (against me or in my favor), unless I'm directly asked about it.

[rodceasar 34]

I've sent money via Western Union to my spouse on a bi-weekly basis and it is actually what helped to get our visa approved. I think no exchange or financial co-mingling causes more issues. I agree with the other response that the amount, if too large might be a red flag.

[Amber & Ahmed 133]

MY 2 CENTS... Ahmed sends me money from Cairo via western union. After trying bank transfers, which didnt work, and reloadable cards, we have settled in on using western union.

You can of course get a reloadable card and send it to him, which you are cutting out many fees, but if you want to send the money now, I would definately recommend western union.

Hope I helped! Also I pray your doing well! Best wishes!

Amber

[Sofiyya 1,687]

There is nothing wrong with sending money. I send money to my husband when necessary. The embassy will not know about it unless they ask.

The embassy can know about it because the transfer agencies are required under the Patriot Act to report it to the Feds.

Western Union gives the recipient more of a hassle than does Moneygram.

[wendy&tamer 10]

Tamer and I used Western Union and never had any issues. He sent me some when I needed it and he had it and vice versa. We kept the receipts to show so-mingling of finances....not sure it helped but we saved the receipts. It was never a huge amount of money. He actually sent me money to cover the cost of passports for my children. I would recommend Western Union to anyone sending to Egypt. Not sure how that will work now, if they are back up and running normally.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

We have found that MoneyGram is cheaper than Western Union - the fee is about 20% less (at least to Palestine.) MG also offers an additional discount to repeat customers. Never had any problems or hassles at either end.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Money gram is cheaper than Western Union. Walmart has Moneygram inside at the service desk. You can send money to many countries.

I've only used western union one time and there was a huge problem. It was like $100 being sent I think it was for his moms bday or something but I sent it to Adam. Well his name is sooooo common all 4 actually that someone else has the same or similar name and is not allowed to receive money through western union. My transaction of $100 was blocked at first and had to verify alot of stuff before they unblocked it and let him pick it up. Stuck with Moneygram after that and never had a problem.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Money gram is cheaper than Western Union. Walmart has Moneygram inside at the service desk. You can send money to many countries.

I've only used western union one time and there was a huge problem. It was like $100 being sent I think it was for his moms bday or something but I sent it to Adam. Well his name is sooooo common all 4 actually that someone else has the same or similar name and is not allowed to receive money through western union. My transaction of $100 was blocked at first and had to verify alot of stuff before they unblocked it and let him pick it up. Stuck with Moneygram after that and never had a problem.

We had the same issue with Western Union. Ironically, I sent the money to hubby while I was still in Morocco, and was there to verify who I was and who he was. We still had to wait an hour before they would give us OUR money, which was bad enough, but my sweet MIL was with us and I wasn't happy that they wasted her time, too. After that, I gave him an ATM of his own. And, yea, Moneygram is much cheaper, too.

Edited March 26, 2011 by Sofiyya

[mandyu1 5]

Western Union only charges $19.99 for up to $1000 or maybe even more than that. I don't like Money Gram, but thats just my personal opinion. Also, I wired $100 into Mohamed's acct once, but it cost me the same as western union, and took 2-3 days to get into his account. If you send it via Money Gram or Western Union be sure to provide his full name. The first time I sent Mohamed money I only provided his first and last name and with it being so common there was someone in their system that was blocked from receiving funds, it took about 3 days to clear up.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Western Union only charges $19.99 for up to $1000 or maybe even more than that. I don't like Money Gram, but thats just my personal opinion. Also, I wired $100 into Mohamed's acct once, but it cost me the same as western union, and took 2-3 days to get into his account. If you send it via Money Gram or Western Union be sure to provide his full name. The first time I sent Mohamed money I only provided his first and last name and with it being so common there was someone in their system that was blocked from receiving funds, it took about 3 days to clear up.

MoneyGram is $16.00 for $1000. And even less with the 5% "frequent customer" discount.

[MrsAmera 41]

Must depend on the country - We send $350 bi-monthly to Morocco via Moneygram and it costs us $9.

Edited March 26, 2011 by MrsAmera