LOI payment

I got my LOI from Stantours also and with exchange rate and bank charges it cost me $80 and some cents in Aus dollars. It is just one of those costs you have to pay if you want to go.

I kinda had a similar problem as you. The two choices for me were bank transfer and moneybookers which I couldn't use. I tried the bank transfer at first but lost half the funds on the way because of some intermediary bank. What I ended up arranging with them was to pay the remaining balance in person once I arrived in Tashkent. They informed me that I probably should have arranged to do that in the first place which would have saved me losing a bunch of money to a bank. In short, talk to them about your situation directly. You should be able to make alternative arrangements.

I had similar issues when I was traveling through the region last year - in the end it's worth sorting it all out through a moneybookers account if you possibly can. This can be a pain if you're setting it up in a different jurisdiction to that of your permanent residence but once it was all set up, paying Stantours was as easy as sending an email.

I agree with caenan - have a chat with the guys and find out what deal you can come to. However, they won't be bending over backwards to accommodate you..........

PayPal, Moneygram, Western Union?