banking as a non resident

Submitted by Jinoturistica on 6 February, 2008 - 09:59.

17 months back, I opened a bank account at BAC using a passport since I don't have a cedula. Now they have a red flag on my account - NO changes to this account without a cedula. ANY excuse and we will close the account.

The long arm of Homeland security has finally bitten me.

Last year, I could use my BAC card in ATMs in the US. But no more. Still works as a credit card but I was 4 weeks in the states with no means to get cash. Had to use expensive vredit card cash advances.

Ho hum.

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Avoid US$ accounts

Submitted by fyl on 7 February, 2008 - 09:54.

I had a bank manager explain this "feature" to me. The US gov. leans on the correspondent banks to exert pressure on international banks. That's the reason for the required cedula. And, yes, it sucks.

The alternative would be to get a debit card in some other "international" currency such as the Euro or Sterling. You should then be ok. The only trick is finding a bank to work with. I have been told that you can open an account in Canadian dollars in the Royal Bank of Canada with minimal ID but you do need to appear in person. For those close to Canada some of the time, that seems like a reasonable alternative.

thanx for the warning

Submitted by Billy Bob on 7 February, 2008 - 08:54.

and keep plugging away at the Keystone Kops procedure for getting a cedula....

¨pata de perro¨

no chance for a cedula

Submitted by Jinoturistica on 7 February, 2008 - 09:07.

Dear BB, cedula no chance. Born in england, left 1992, changed name and became US citizen 1996.

I do not want to even think about getting UK birth cert + US name change + US naturalization + US police report all authenticated etc. The cost, the confusion on Nicaragua immigrations face... Just strains my brain. :-)

Plus not many advantages either.

Guess I'll remain a tourist.

sad

Submitted by Billy Bob on 7 February, 2008 - 09:34.

I was reading the rough Guide to Ecuador a while back. Seems they have lots of goodies, including a 9 month long term tourist visa (pay at the border). After 30 days, one needs to go to migracion to get an ID card--with one day service!!!

Nicaragua acts like its still in the middle of a war or something. Hellooow, the war ended 18 years ago.

I still think its wise to get a cedula (or find a different country that wants your presense and your money). I´m tired of getting stopped at roadblocks. Plus i think that the immigration scene in the US will inevitably turn ugly with kneejerk repercussions here for foreigners. Better to have my papers in order.

¨pata de perro¨