U.S. consuls can assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the Consulate General or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). Consular officers can help destitute Americans contact family, bank, or employer to arrange for transfer of funds. In some cases, these funds can be wired through the Department of State. For information on how a consular officer can help under these circumstances, see http://travel.state.gov/travel.
Transferring Money from the United States to South Africa
Except in extremely rare circumstances, private U.S. Citizen should transfer money through private service providers such as MoneyGram or Western Union. Duty officer or consular officers may assist in retrieving the money if the U.S. Citizen in distress is unable to accomplish this on their own for some reason. If an officer receives money from a private service on behalf of a U.S. Citizen, it is essential that each transfer of money – from the service to the officer to the U.S. Citizen – is tracked with signed receipts, which should be provided to the American Citizens Service Unit to be scanned into the U.S. Citizen’s assistance case electronically.
Sending Money via State Department — Office of Overseas Citizens Services (OCS)
NOTE: THIS OPTION IS A LAST RESORT. SEE MONEYGRAM AND WESTERN UNION OPTIONS BELOW.
This service is available only to U.S. citizens in emergency situations. Depositors establish a trust account in a recipient’s name to forward funds overseas. Upon receipt, the Department cashes their cashier’s check or money order and telegraphs the Embassy, authorizing next- workday disbursement. The recipient must contact the Embassy to receive the funds. Unless there is some overriding consideration requiring payments in U.S. dollars, funds are normally disbursed in local currency.
MoneyGram Locations in Johannesburg Area
Bidvest Bank
OR Tambo International Airport
Shop L10 International Arrival
Tel: 011-390-1040
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 5:30 am – 9:30 pm
Standard Bank
Sandton City Shopping Centre
Cnr Rivonia & Fifth Str.
Sandton
Tel: 011 299 4701/0860 123 000
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm; Saturday 8:30 – 11:00
Standard Bank
Rosebank Mall
29 Trywhitt Avenue
Rosebank
Tel: 0860-101-341
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm; Saturday 8:30 – 11:00
Standard Bank
Hyde Park
Cnr of William Nicol dr. and Jan Smuts Avenue
Tel: 0860-101-341
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm; Saturday 8:30-11:00
Standard Bank
Jan Smuts Avenue
191 Jan Smuts Avenue
Parktown North
Tel: 0860-101-341
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm; Saturday 8:30-11:00
MONEYGRAM LOCATIONS IN PRETORIA AREA
Standard Bank
First National Bank
CNR Frates & 18th Ave
Rietfontein
Gezina
Tel: 012 331 7636/0860, 136739
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm; Saturday 8:30 – 11:00
Standard Bank
Bidvest Bank
Shop 1, Building 3
Hatfield Sq.
1115 Burnett Str.
Hatfield
Tel: 012 362 7240/7241
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 – 12:00
Visit www.moneygram.com for a more comprehensive listing of all MoneyGram locations in Johannesburg.
Western Union Locations in Johannesburg Area
ABSA HYDEPARK
Shop P12 Hyde Park Shopping Centre
Cnr William Nicol & Jan Smuts Ave
Sandton, Gauteng 2196
+27-011-2159660
ABSA SANDTON CITY
Banking Mall Sandton City Rivonia Road
Sandton, Gauteng
+27-11-5054500
TRAVELEX BENMORE
Shop G06 Benmore Shopping Centre
Cnr Grayston and 11th Street
Sandton, Gauteng
+27-11-7833274
ABSA EASTGATE
Shop L34a Eastgate Sc Bradford Rd
Johannesburg, Gauteng
+27-11-8566300
BALFOUR PARK
Balfour Park Shopping Centre
Shop No 181 Balfour Park
Johannesburg, Gauteng
+27-11-4407800
TOWER BDC KILLARNEY
Shop B16 Killarney Mall
Johannesburg, Gauteng
+27-11-6467688
TRAVELEX MELROSE ARCH PIAZZA
Shop Sl14 Melrose Arch Piazza
Melrose Arch Boulevard
Johannesburg, Gauteng
+27-11-6842855
TRAVELEX OR TAMBO AIRPORT
Central Terminal Building
Jones Street Or Tambo Airport
Kempton Park, Gauteng
+27-11-3901610
ABSA PRETORIA
230 Van Der Walt Street
Pretoria, Gauteng
+27-12-3377300
ABSA ARCADIA
481 Cnr. Church And Beatrix Str.
Kingsley Centre
Pretoria, Gauteng
+27-12-4821600
ABSA BRITS MALL
Shop 218
R511 Hendrik Verwoerd Avenue
Brits, Gauteng 0250
+27-12-2528600
ABSA CENTURION
Absa Bldg 1263 Heuwel Street
Centurion, Gauteng
+27-12-6747200