Proof of funds when travelling

[k3nnis]

Hi All,

Have a quick question

May sound silly but here goes:

I am travelling to NZ for a week with wife and child.

On the NZ iimigration website it states:
Proof of funds:
You will also need to show us proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. This means you have a minimum of:

• NZ$1000 per person per month of the visit, or
• NZ$400 per person per month if accommodation has already been paid for – we will require proof of prepayment, such as hotel prepaid vouchers.

Sufficient funds can be in the form of:

• cash
• travellers' cheques
• bank drafts
• recognised credit cards with sufficient credit available – we recommend that visitors have an up-to-date credit card statement.

Do you guys actually carry that amount in cash??? Since my many years of travel no customs have actually ask me to show them the cash. But just curious if NZ custom do decide to ask, that means I need NZ$1000 X2? and maybe some for the child too

I have plenty of AMEX's but not sure if sufficient. I have a plat edge, plat reserve and plat charge lol. Plat charged is used for the P+C booking of the hotel..I never thought of carrying my CC statement around!

What do you guys/girls think?

Cheers,
K.

 

[serfty]

In over 30 visits to NZ, I have never been asked such a question.

Then again, my trips are rarely more than for a long weekend.

FWIW, I was there this weekend and took/used no NZ cash (Had a score or two AUD on me).

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[k3nnis]

oh ok fair enough

 

[TonyHancock]

I get to NZ 2-3 times a year and have never been asked in 13 years of travel.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I've been asked this question in USA.

I very rarely take any cash with me anywhere!

 

[richie9x]

It depends what passport your are travelling on. If on an Australian passport it looks like the funds requirement is not applicable.

If you are on a short visit from a visa waiver country I would not expect they would ask you, although they could ask you if you looked like you couldn't support yourself. If you are on a long stay or from a non-visa waiver country I would expect you would be asked either at time you get the visa and/or when you enter the country.

 

[Mal]

Yeah, with an Oz passport, it shouldn't be an issue. If you turned up from certain countries it would routinely be asked though. The question is mainly aimed at countries where the average wage is low and they want to ensure a visitor can support themselves.

Any credit card would pass the test really...

 

[drewbles]

I've been asked a handful of times in the USA how much cash I have had on me. I simply state (and 100% truthfully) "none. I just take cash out at an ATM after i've collected my bags". Never been pulled up on it, but once I was pushed with "how many credit cards do you have?" and "how much credit do you have available on them?". I replied with "I have them here if you wish to see them" and started to open my wallet up. It was met with a 'no that's ok sir welcome back'.

As a side note, how many here only have the four finger scan in the USA now? I haven't had all 8 fingers and 2 thumbs scanned in a long time (in fact, it's been 2+ years since they have).

 

[k3nnis]

I have a non Australian passport although it is one listed as a waiver visa country for visiting NZ on a short stay.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

As a side note, how many here only have the four finger scan in the USA now? I haven't had all 8 fingers and 2 thumbs scanned in a long time (in fact, it's been 2+ years since they have).

I had all 8 fingers and 2 thumbs scanned in March when entering in LAX, YYZ* and YVR* (*USA pre-clearance) - same with my partner

In YVR, the CBP agent also asked how much cash I was carrying, and I responded with "about 20 Canadian and 100 US" and was not questioned any further! (I was mostly using my CCs, but he never even asked that)

EDIT: changed wording to show complete 10

 

[serfty]

...

As a side note, how many here only have the four finger scan in the USA now? I haven't had all 8 fingers and 2 thumbs scanned in a long time (in fact, it's been 2+ years since they have).

Getting off topic, but for the last couple of years it's only been the one hand. After getting a new passport it was all 10 digits but after a few visits that stopped.

I really only noticed the year before last when SWMBO received the full digits; I just the one hand - she asked me about it and thinking about it I conjectured that it was maybe due to my more regular visits.

 

[11sjw]

Getting off topic, but for the last couple of years it's only been the one hand. After getting a new passport it was all 10 digits but after a few visits that stopped.

I really only noticed the year before last when SWMBO received the full digits; I just the one hand - she asked me about it and thinking about it I conjectured that it was maybe due to my more regular visits.

Should've told SWMBO she looked dodgy :shock::mrgreen:

 

[pagingjoan]

Going with the OT issue:
My partner and I are both regular visitors to the US but both had the full 8+2 prints on entry a few weeks ago.
Both as dodgy as 11sjw's SWMBO, it seems! Good company we are in.
Back on topic, never ever been asked how much cash I was carrying in all the years I've been travelling.

 

[k3nnis]

I wonder if they will give the all clear for Plat charge and AMEX cent holders It doesn't really have a credit as they are charge cards...

 

[harvyk]

I think I've been asked the question once, and I believe my response was "have plastic" which they where more than happy with.
I think if nothing else they want to make sure that you can actually leave the airport area, and are not going to die of starvation or be forced to work (which would breach most tourist visa's) within a day of arriving.

I do suspect it is a question more reserved for when a "beach bum / hippy" type of person (no offense meant to anyone who self identifies as this) comes through where they may very well be expecting the generosity of locals to help get them through or be give a cash in hand job to support themselves whilst they are in country.

 

[harvyk]

I wonder if they will give the all clear for Plat charge and AMEX cent holders It doesn't really have a credit as they are charge cards...

I'd say so, as it would be assumed that the cards actually have funds in them or would have funds deposited in them whilst you where in their country.

 

[TonyHancock]

I wonder if they will give the all clear for Plat charge and AMEX cent holders It doesn't really have a credit as they are charge cards...

I suspect that if you present a Plat charge Card or Centurion Card you may be institutionalised......actually probably not, news of the "enhancements" and devaluation of the cards may not have reached the NZ Immigration department!

 

[k3nnis]

Lol you may be right!

 

[chrisb]

Worst case, you could show them credit cards and offer to login to your internet banking to show them your balance and available credit.

I've never been asked in any country.

 

[drsmithy]

As a side note, how many here only have the four finger scan in the USA now? I haven't had all 8 fingers and 2 thumbs scanned in a long time (in fact, it's been 2+ years since they have).

Have been through the USA twice since 2010, entering from both UK and Australia, and got the full treatment each time.

Have never been asked about how much money I have on me, or access to, entering any country (and when I fly, I dress pretty casually - some might even say scruffily). Not even when I applied for my E3 visa back in 2009 (which was actually a little bit annoying since I'd gone to the trouble of assembling 6 months worth of salary, bank and credit card statements).