Non Hong Kong Resident Bank Account Opening

Posted by Slim Shady (55 days ago)

Hi

I plan to move back to Hong Kong for a short stay of about six months. I was actually a permanent resident, but that has lapsed, and I intend to see whether immigration department will re-instate the status, which from what I understand is at their discretion.

For the time that I am there I would like to open a bank account, I did used to have an HSBC account, but I do not have the account number, and I am not sure after 6 years of being dormant they would re-instate it.

I would like to open an account, not just for use whilst I am there, but other issues which I have, which would make an account in Hong Kong extremely useful.

Is it possible to open an account with just a passport. I read somewhere it is possible to open an account without ordinarily being a resident. Does anyone know if this is true? or can anyone confirm that a valid Hong Kong identity card is required.

The same source also suggested I needed address proof. I cannot remember banks in Hong Kong requiring that when I opened up my accounts many years back. I will be staying in a service apartment, so I suppose they could give me a letter of some, but can anyone confirm whether that is actually the case?

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Posted by jobin (55 days ago)

I lived in HK for 6 weeks during the summer and wanted a bank account, mostly to keep money safe and collect at ATM machine when wanted. Odious requirement of 'residence address' was solved by my friend who simply went to electric power office, with me and PP, and added my name to the power bill at her residence. Some immediate paper shuffling and computer work and in 15 minutes i had the 'residence address' for HK. I took that paper and PP to bank and presto. I never paid any power bill, never even saw her place. The bill comes to her house with our mutual names but that seems insignificant now. Whether she can tomorrow change back to single payer and not affect my bank account, i don't know. i think the govt pushed the law down the throat of the banks and banks just follow the letter, not the spirit of the law. I did here that there are other methods of getting the residence address, perhaps as you mention.

Posted by Slim Shady (55 days ago)

Hi

thanks for the response. Which bank did you open the account with btw?

I have read various experiences, and the consensus view, though some have had different experiences is, if you have a drivers license, the address proof on there is adequate even if that address is overseas.

Someone suggested the bank would even mail a letter to your Hong Kong address, which could then be used to activate the account, but that sounds a little dubious to me, perhaps that is a procedure for opening up an account without full address proof, but it seems a little strange that a bank would send correspondence without the individual being a full customer.

I actually do not hold a drivers license, but do have a Standard Chartered Bank Account, do you think a bank statement from my current bank, dated say the previous month be good enough with Standard Chartered Hong Kong instead of a drivers license.

I could ask a friend to help me in the way yours helped you, but I really wouldn't want to ask them to do that.

Posted by jobin (54 days ago)

That would be NCB bank. I can't see why you simply don't go to the bank and try with the paperwork you do have. My impression is that the bank wants some evidence that you have a HK address. O'seas addresses not enough. Probably something about 'laundrying money'. I can also tell you that the proof of residence, HK address, is good for getting the HK library card. Something i appreciate.

Posted by dadda (54 days ago)

if you had PR you are entitled to get it back as soon as you get to HK. Make sure you have your proof of past PR before you get it. You automatically get Right To Land - and then just have to go to Immigration Dept to get PR re-instated. I am 100% sure of this as got PR last year & did a lot of research. I would call immigration asap & find what you need to do. Probably best not to say you are only back for 6 months - just say returning to HK...

Posted by Slim Shady (54 days ago)

Thank you dadda.

I hope what you say is right.

I have checked with ID, and it does seem that you have Right to Land, but I think they added the caveat at the director of immigration department's discretion if you let the PR lapse or do not visit once in 36 months and you lose right of abode permanently. I really hope you are right though.

In terms of proof of PR, well I have my old ID card, unfortunately that cannot be used open an account with, because they are now the new smart cards.

Posted by PYUOW (54 days ago)

If not, i've just moved to hk and i can confirm that my EU driving licence (with UK address) and UK passport was sufficient to open a bank account. They then just added my HK address as a 'correspondence' address on the system.
However, be prepared for totally OTT and illogical security and form-filling the like of which you won't have experienced in 15-20 years. Don't expect to get it all done in one visit to the bank!!

Posted by Slim Shady (54 days ago)

Thank you.

Where I am now is took seven weeks and ten trips to open a bank account, so am prepared for the worst. I really don't think it can get worse that it is here.

I think globally they are introducing Know Your Customer norms, to prevent laundering and certainly where I am, terrorist financing.

Posted by biznick (54 days ago)

I think that the old account is still active. It's worth it to go the bank itself with your old HK ID and try to access it. If indeed it has been "closed" due to dormancy, you should be able to open an account using the old ID.

Posted by gill2008 (54 days ago)

Slim Shady,

You can bring your original passport and original driving license to the bank to open a bank account. As far as I am aware, Standard Chartered Bank reference you to provide a professional/bank reference letter as well. So one could be issued from your current bank where you have account.

HSBC does not require bank reference.

Its very easy to go to their respective websites and obtain a list of documents u need to open the account.

Posted by Slim Shady (54 days ago)

Thank you very much. I will speak to my bank and ask them for a letter to open an account in Hong Kong with.

I have a British passport, but have a permanent residency card for the country I live in, issued by its government, with a local Hong Kong address, but that was issued seven years ago, but is valid.

I guess I will try it on with HSBC first and see how far that card gets me, failing that I will approach Standard Chartered with a very recent bank statement, and a letter from my local SC branch confirming that is my address.

Good to know it is possible to set up an account without an ID card though, and even better to know I may still be eligible for PR.

Thank you all for the advice.

Posted by evildeeds (54 days ago)

OK, with regard to your status there was a thread on this a while back. You will not be a PR anymore, BUT you will retain Right to Land. All this means is you can be kicked out of HK if you do something wrong and you cannot vote. You can live and work here without restriction though. After 7 years you will get PR and ROA back.

For those who do not live in HK you will need your passport and proof of home address in your home country supported by original documents. You can use an HK address for correspondence. For your original account it may well be worth going back to the bank with everything you have, especially old ID card and seeing if it is still open!

Posted by Slim Shady (54 days ago)

Thanks evil deeds. I hunted down the thread, and it seems the RTL is automatic.

my concern is on the immigration website, there seems to be some ambiguity, at least the way I read it. Because the way I have interpreted it is that it suggests that an application needs to be made to the ROA section for confirmation of RTL.

is that me interpreting it incorrectly? and what it is actually saying is consistent with the automatic conferral of RTL after allowing ROA to lapse and the application would be to see if ROA could be reinstated?

If it is the latter I assume it would only mean that I get an ID card without the words permanent identity card and holder had right of abode written on the back?

Don't really care about voting, but it would be a big relief to know that I can still live and work in Hong Kong with no umming and ahhing by immigration.

"A person who ceases to have the status of a permanent resident of the HKSAR will automatically acquire the right to land in Hong Kong in accordance with the law. He will be able to enter Hong Kong freely to live, study or work without any restriction. A person may ascertain whether he has lost the status of a permanent resident of the HKSAR by applying for verification of eligibility for permanent identity card with the Right of Abode Section of the Immigration Department for assessment of whether he has lost the permanent resident status and has the right to land in the HKSAR."

Posted by evildeeds (54 days ago)

There are cases of people born to HK parents abroad who need to verify their status. Some are able to get ROA, some RTL and some no status depending on various factors.

I think in your case you'll find out very easily. Come through the residents gate at the airport and you'll be told to update your ID card to the new smart ID type anyway. When you do this I'm sure you'll get all the information you need. From my understanding you will have automatic RTL and your new ID card (you must update to this legally) will not show permanent resident but will also not have any code on that denotes a condition of stay. i.e. the code will show no conditions on stay (meaning dependent on a valid visa).

Posted by Slim Shady (54 days ago)

Thank you

That is really good to know, and really a load of my mind. Actually you made probably my year with that bit of info.

I just looked at my old ID card, it actually only says it is a permanent ID card rather than resident. What it does mention though is that the holder has the right of abode.

I imagine any new card will also be permanent, but without right of abode.

cheers for that, I am over the bloody moon I tell you.