LauraPanda

Hi,

I'm currently teaching out in the Maldives, and as I'm only here for 11 months I still have all my UK bank accounts and my dreaded credit card, which I still need to make payments to.

I was a little naive about sending money home, I thought it would be a fairly straightforward thing to do. However, the local currency is tied to the dollar and only available to be bought in country.
The only place to exchange money into dollars/sterling is at the Bank Of Maldives who have told me that there is restrictions on foreigners changing money, and for the foreseeable future they won't exchange ruffiya into dollars for us.

So, rather panicking at the moment. I've been given conflicting information about whether the bank will send money as well, some say yes, some say only if I have a dollar bank account.

Any ideas? I know there's Western Union but I'm a day's boat ride away from the capital. The Indian expat teachers use the Bank of India, but obviously that's not an option for me and I'm a bit panicky.

Thanks

Windsor2

Hi there

I don't have any answers immediately to hand but I will have a word with a few people here and see whether there are any alternatives for you to consider.

Best regards

Mark Bodega
HiFX

acidLuvr

If the ruffiya is tied to the USD, then I suggest trying to get paid in USD instead. Is that possible? There are USD accounts that are similar to the British Santandar Zero card, which have no foreign exchange fee. You could then spend the money in both the Maldives and the UK, and not pay any overhead.