hey guys.
so finally made it to Tainan w the fam. exciteeeeed!
it was wonderful walking out to the 7-11 at 2am to get my jetlagged babies some microwaved dumplings and just… feeling in asia.
anywho.
need to exchange a large sum of cash (we decided to bring just under the immigration limit, and leave the rest in our wells fargo account to try to withrdraw and change here.
internet says there are a few wells fargo locations. (though I assume they will ask for a bunch IDs… seemed easier than declaring the 10k)
so. found a few relavent threads, but most aren’t this specific and some are dated.
suggests MEGA might be the best option. but debit card thread
says that MEGA will not give you an account w out an ARC…
there is also the suggestion of getting a National ID from immigration. (I can go to the Tainan Airport and try that Tuesday. I think govt things are closed tmrw deu to Dragon Boat Races).
anywho. I figured if I opened an account w 10k ish usd, the bank might like me and give us better treatment than if I opened an account with 1k NTD. (this is just my experience from other countries)
I do not need to keep cash in USD, as we will live here for the forseeable future. (1yr CN study, 2yr masters, 5yr PhD…)
I had been hoping to get a MOFA scholarship. but didn’t. so they will not be opening an account for me… and I need to figure this out by myself.
unlike another suggestion, I did call wells fargo, and was unable to raise my ATM withdrawel limit from their ridiculous $310 limit. nobody seemed to know why…) so i will need to withdraw at a bank, prob a wells fargo branch. (to than, any experience ie what docs/IDs required to withdraw from a foreign bank account? HSBC or WF in this case?
and to the opening a bank account. should i do an HSBC one?
i almost did in mexico bc i know they are everywhere, but the Mexican office informed me that they are not a global bank, but regional franchises… which put some kind of limit on interactions while abroad.
my only other experience is from my time in korea. i had a personal sponsor open my bank account for me (not the school). but i am unable to touch those funds outside of korea… leaving my last paycheck locked in that account until i visit the country again. if ic an remember what bank it was. ;-p (its been almost a decade)
again. thanks in advance for all advice n suggestions.