Money Transfers

[Xavier_Onassis]

If you are American you can open a Charles Schwab on-line checking account. You can then use your Schwab debit card in any country to withdraw up to $1000 per day at an ATM. They rebate all ATM fees and there is no foreign transaction fee. Completely free. I have been using it for two years.

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Thanks for mentioning this. I will look into it. Schwab is a good company.
Can you use this at any bank in the DR, specifically Banco Popular?

 

[Rbh44]

have to have a brokerage account with them as well

"Do I need to open a Schwab One brokerage account with my Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking account?
Yes. The Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking account is only available when linked to a Schwab One brokerage account. The two accounts may be opened at the same time. The two accounts will be linked, so you can easily transfer funds between them to meet both your investing and checking needs. While you're under no obligation to use the Schwab One brokerage account, you may find it very convenient. And, you can enjoy the benefits of investing with Schwab brokerage at no additional cost.

That is correct. I did have to open a brokerage account with them as well. I have never funded the brokerage account and there are no fees involved for opening it or not using it. I only use the checking account.

 

[Rbh44]

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Thanks for mentioning this. I will look into it. Schwab is a good company.
Can you use this at any bank in the DR, specifically Banco Popular?

I have withdrawn money from several different banks in the DR and do so on a monthly basis, and in Kenya as well. No problems.

 

[Xavier_Onassis]

I have had an account with Schwab since the 1990's, and they have never asked me for any copies of ID, passport or BC.
I suppose that after 9-11 this could have changed. All you have to do is call them 1-800-435-4000.

 

[La Profe_1]

I seriously doubt they require a copy of your birth certificate or passport to allow you to open an account. DOn't know, but wouldn't imagine it.

They almost certainly will want a Social Security number.

 

[Xavier_Onassis]

Yes, I am sure of that. Everyone wants a SS number.

I used to make up SS numbers when I applied for free membership at video stores.

 

[Jaime809]

But millions have valid social security numbers who are not citizens. I personally have proudly helped a couple of dozen people to obtain theirs.
Der Fish

That's not accurate. Only citizens are issued SSNs. Others are issued tax ID numbers, which is not used to obtain SSN benefits. Still others are using fake SSNs, which by definition aren't valid.

 

[william webster]

my whole family ( Cdn citizens) have SSN's..... from when we lived in the USA.

Mine from 1978..... never a citizen, and my family weren't Green Carded.... E-2 visa holders

 

[nomadamericana]

We go to a local place in Minneapolis that uses 'i-transfer' to send money. It sends it to Caribe Express (or you can choose other places) and we get home delivery in Stgo within a few hours. Costs $5 to send/receive up to $999USD.

i-transfer - A global money transfer company