Check your country's money-transfer limits

Unlike a simple bank transfer, several countries regulate outward money transfers with a real process or limit attached, which can affect how and when you move relocation funds, savings, or property sale proceeds to New Zealand. Getting this wrong doesn't just cost time -- in some cases it means a transfer gets rejected or delayed at the worst possible moment, like right before a property settlement or bond payment.

Check the rules for your specific country before you plan around a transfer amount:

• India: the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) currently allows up to USD 250,000 per financial year, aggregated across banks and purposes -- amounts above ₹10 lakh may attract Tax Collected at Source depending on purpose. See the RBI's own guidance.
• China: the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) sets an individual quota of USD 50,000 per calendar year, resetting each January -- larger amounts need prior approval, and this isn't a same-day process. See SAFE's guidance.
• The Philippines: the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulates how much cash you can carry out (a declaration is required above certain thresholds), though routine bank transfers for relocation aren't capped the same way -- the real constraint here is carrying cash, not wiring funds. See BSP's FX regulations FAQ.
• Sri Lanka: the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) runs a formal migration allowance process for people emigrating, with its own documentation requirements -- this isn't a same-day bank transfer. See the CBSL's Department of Foreign Exchange.

What to do: confirm the current limit and process for your country well before you need the funds, especially if you're moving savings or property sale proceeds beyond routine relocation costs. Ask your bank's forex desk directly rather than relying on what a previous transfer cost or allowed, since rules and thresholds change.

Common mistakes: assuming a routine bank transfer works the same way everywhere, and starting the process only once you urgently need the money moved.