Holding a mainland China ID card is perfectly acceptable for opening a Bank of China (Hong Kong) branch bank account. To help you quickly understand the key information, the table below summarizes the crucial points for the application process.
💡 Account opening process and precautions
Choose processing method
• Online account opening: This is currently the most convenient method. You only need to connect to a local Wi-Fi network in Hong Kong (such as hotel, airport, or shopping mall networks; roaming data from mainland China SIM cards cannot be used), download the "BOCHK (Bank of China, Hong Kong)" APP, and follow the prompts to upload photos of your identification documents and PDF files of your immigration records to complete the application. The entire process does not require visiting a branch.
• Offline Account Opening: If you prefer face-to-face transactions or need to inquire about more complex banking services, you can choose to open an account offline. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance through the "Bank of China (Hong Kong) website" or the "Bank of China (Hong Kong) Microservices" WeChat official account, and prioritize branches near residential areas to avoid long queues in touristy areas.
Precautions
• Transfer Limit: After successful account opening, the initial online transfer limit is usually low (e.g., HKD 10,000/day). Generally, after a few days, the limit will be automatically increased within the app or by your own actions (e.g., HKD 200,000/day). If you still need a higher limit, you can bring your identification documents to the counter to apply for an increase.
• Physical Card Delivery: After successful account opening, the physical bank card will be sent to the address you provided via regular mail. Since it is regular mail, please ensure the address is accurate and that you can effectively receive mail. Delivery may take 2-4 weeks.
• Keep your account active: After opening an account, it is recommended to keep the account active and avoid long-term inactivity. Also, be careful to avoid behaviors that may trigger risk control, such as rapid inflow and outflow of funds.
May your assets continue to grow!
