Going to the US in April. Is it worth bringing back VBA cards?

[pepsi82]

I'm going to New York in April on holiday. I was wondering as I'm going to be there anyway, is it worth bringing some VBA's back to the UK? I know they sell them at Walmart and the like.

[NoneOther]

I think you mean prepaid cards as opposed to VBA.

Probably not as they would be in dollar denominations so no good for UK accounts

[degsey69]

Yup no reason to do it, and if you are thing of trying to open a US paypal account somewhere along the line you will need to get a SSN because they have to report everything over 20K a year to the IRS.

[BiN4RY]

You can't bring those check cards back because they requires SSN activation with no exceptions.

[biggunn]

Originally Posted by pepsi82

I'm going to New York in April on holiday. I was wondering as I'm going to be there anyway, is it worth bringing some VBA's back to the UK? I know they sell them at Walmart and the like.

You would be better off attempting to open normal bank accounts as a foreigner... Not sure if you can do that. At least setup some US addresses.

[degsey69]

apparently you can open up US bank account as a non resident.

[baloch]

I think OP means the prepaid cards with bank accounts attached that you get at Walmart that do not require a SSN.

[BiN4RY]

You don't need SSN to but them, but you do need it to activate it

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[pepsi82]

I actually do have a SSN as I used to live there.. but I'm pretty sure I used it on Paypal at the time!

[biggunn]

Originally Posted by pepsi82

I actually do have a SSN as I used to live there.. but I'm pretty sure I used it on Paypal at the time!

If you have an SSN, you should be able to open up bank accounts. Paypal isn't going to see your SSN... You don't need to use it with them.

Definitely try to get the walmart card/prepaid bank with your SSN. Even better, try getting a real bank account at US Bank. If they deny you, probably can't open US accounts.

[oompaloompa]

you can buy usa and canada vba on forum, vba do not require ssn.

to make a usa ebay from the uk is possible, only thing is to research the ip issues......

[pepsi82]

Eugh sounds like too much hassle for me!