A2 Visa / Property Purchase

Besides the originating country getting a heads up on the multiple transfers. That part i wouldn't worry about. They're looking for multiple transfers in the millions.

I work for a very large financial institution so have access to much of this stuff. Probably shouldn't be commenting.

We're the largest in the world for the services we provide.

Several times - c. £2K, max more than £30K. Cleared within three weeks, close to two.
Oh yes, and most was required to be withdrawn in one go.

Already found a place I like to be honest. Its in great shape but small and comes with everything inside of it. Don't want to provide too many details but only thing I'd really need to buy is a couple TVs, Actual Stove and Oven and perhaps cutlery / little things like that.

I lived in big houses all my life. Usually 4-8k+ square feet. Not a fan to be honest. I don't think its good for the kids either as they are able to isolate themselves in their rooms or on a seperate floor etc. I much prefer a family environment than a divided location. At this point in my life and given my experience give me a house thats 1000-1500 square feet any day over something large. That probably sounds unusual for someone coming from Canada but I much prefer the simple things rather than excess. Probably in part why I like Cuba so much. Give me a pig roast and some rum any day over a fancy dinner followed by a local lounge.

Not thats in entirely relevant to the situation but within a year or two I would also like to spend a significant portion of the year travelling outside of Cuba. Perhaps 4-6 months. I do want to be their in the initial couple years though for my daughter as I would like to help give her the basics that will shape the rest of her life including english ability. Thankfully I took an interest in learning spanish about a decade ago. Of all the decisions I've made learning spanish while I had a lot of free time was probably the best one and will have the biggest impact on my life.

With a house included theres no reason for me to spend more than $2,000 CUC a month while in Holguin aside from months where I have a large fixed expenditure. I've spent up to about $4,500 and the gain in bang for your buck spending more is terrible. All it really does is fund more peoples party and dining experience. I have no interest in hanger on types or paying for 10 of my girl friends friends and quazi friends to drink chivas all night. Much rather go out with my fiancee and at most one other couple or individual. Additionally I have no interest in vehicle ownership in Holguin. I can easily walk anywhere I like to go and if I'm going to somewhere I need a vehicle it likely means I'm going somewhere that I'll be drinking, i.e. the beach, pool, gibara, caletoni, nightclub (spelling might be off) etc. If you are somewhat centrally located in Holguin everything is walking distance.

Havana though which I would like to go and spend some more time in, I haven't been in a few years when I use to spend several months there it is a different world. To make it work there I'd spend a lot more. Without owning probably I'd probably need about $3,000 CUC excluding rent to live to my hearts desire. With that said I much prefer the smaller cities to the big city for long term living. Too much hustling and aggressiveness in Havana. Bit too much of a dog eat dog city for my tastes. In Holguin I call a buddy up midafternoon to grab a bottle of rum and we go to Gibara. Do the same in Havana and it's "No puedo asere, tengo q pinchar." One of the next things about the towns is the cost of living is low and a lot of people don't really have fixed hours or jobs. Even those who are cuentapropistas for the most part can be free as they please.

4-8,'000 square feet in Toronto ? These are $3 million + houses.

If you're nickel and diming, perfectly understandable, who wants to pay more taxes but You're, clearly being anal. Can't help you too much.

Cuba, in comparison, is CHEAP.

I suspect thats probably the best way is to just make large withdrawls while I'm in Cuba. If I go for a week I should be able to bring down and withdraw enough to pay for the house.

I guess the other question is where do I put all that cash. Do I get my fiancee to make a bank account and put it there? Or just withdraw and pay the sellers.

The property transaction has to go through lawyers/notaries specifically tasked to make those transactions . Payment is made via a bank cheque

I tried to buy a house and put it in my Godson's name. It was not allowed as he was under the age of 18 at the time. This was three years ago

I tried to buy a house and put it in my Godson's name. It was not allowed as he was under the age of 18 at the time. This was three years ago

That might be the case, I am not 100 % sure. I have my information for foreign friends who have a child in Cuba and have told me that they bought a house in Cuba in the name of their child. This can, of course, be a figure of speech, more like an intention, and that legally the house is in the name of the mother.

I doubt you can put a property in the name of a minor. This would lead to rich families, effectively, owning multiple properties, which is illegal..