Country & Region Guides
Detailed capital movement guides tailored to the specific regulations, banking restrictions, and compliance requirements of each region.
Chinese Investors
Navigate SAFE regulations, the $50,000 annual foreign exchange limit, and structuring compliant capital transfers from the PRC to US bank accounts.
- SAFE foreign exchange regulations
- $50K annual limit workarounds
- OFAC considerations for PRC nationals
- Recommended US banks accepting Chinese investors
- Source of funds documentation (Chinese)
Latin American Investors
Country-by-country guide for Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. Navigate currency controls, Banco Central reporting, and US banking requirements.
- Brazil: Banco Central DOI declarations
- Mexico: SAT reporting requirements
- Argentina: BCRA restrictions & cepo cambiario
- Colombia: Banco de la República filings
- US bank KYC for LATAM nationals
Russian Investors
Critical compliance guide for Russian nationals under OFAC sanctions. SDN screening, sectoral sanctions, and compliant methods for moving capital to the US.
- OFAC sanctions & SDN list screening
- Sectoral Sanctions Identification (SSI) list
- Compliant transfer methods post-2022
- US banks that accept RF nationals
- Enhanced due diligence requirements
⚠ Common Capital Movement Challenges
Regardless of which country you are transferring from, foreign investors face these universal obstacles when moving capital to the United States:
Wire Freezes & Compliance Holds
US banks are legally required to scrutinize international wires under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and AML regulations. Without proper documentation, your wire can be frozen for days or weeks. See our guide to avoiding wire freezes.
Source of Funds Documentation
Every bank will ask where the money comes from. You need a clear paper trail: bank statements, tax returns, sale contracts, or business financials. Read our source of funds documentation guide for what each bank actually requires.
Opening a US Business Bank Account
Most foreign investors need a US LLC or corporation bank account. Mercury, Relay, and traditional banks each have different requirements. See our US business bank account guide for current options.
📊 Quick Comparison by Region
| Factor | China | Russia | Latin America |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Controls | Strict — $50K/year SAFE limit per individual | Sanctions-based — OFAC restrictions | Varies by country — Argentina strictest |
| Primary Regulator | SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) | OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) | Each country's central bank |
| US Bank Account Difficulty | Moderate — enhanced KYC but generally accepted | High — many banks decline RF nationals | Low to moderate — Brazil/Mexico straightforward |
| Wire Transfer Method | Multiple $50K transfers or business-to-business wire | Third-country intermediary bank or crypto on-ramp | Direct wire (most countries) or SWIFT transfer |
| Key Documentation | SAFE approval, tax clearance, fund source proof | SDN clearance letter, non-sanctioned entity proof | Central bank declaration, tax returns, ID |
| Typical Timeline | 2–6 months for large amounts | Varies — sanctions compliance adds weeks | 1–4 weeks (Brazil/Mexico), longer for Argentina |
Moving Capital from Another Country?
I help foreign investors structure compliant capital transfers into US bank accounts. If your country is not listed above, schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.
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