Opening a bank account in Hong Kong
Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s leading international business hubs thanks to its favorable tax system, strong financial infrastructure and global connections. Whether you are opening a trading company, holding company or startup, one of the key steps is opening a corporate bank account.
However, with increasing compliance requirements, the process can be difficult without expert guidance. Below is a step-by-step guide and explanation of how Fidustria ensures a simple and efficient process from start to finish.
Step 1: Register a company in Hong Kong
Before applying for an account, the company must be officially registered with the Hong Kong Companies Registry. The standard form is a Private Limited Company.
You will receive the following basic documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate
- Articles of Association
- Register of directors and shareholders
Without these documents, opening an account is impossible.
Fidustria prepares, checks and submits all documents in the correct format – without delays and risks.
Step 2: Choose a bank or payment platform
A wide range of banks are available in Hong Kong:
- HSBC Hong Kong
- Standard Chartered
- Bank of China (Hong Kong)
- Citibank
- DBS Bank
- Hang Seng Bank
An alternative is electronic payment institutions (EMIs) or virtual banks:
Airwallex , Statrys , etc., which offer faster registration and simplified requirements.
Fidustria will help you choose between a traditional bank and EMI according to your business activities, launch schedule, and specifics.
Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents
To pass KYC and AML checks, a full package of documents is required:
- Company registration documents
- Passports and proof of address of directors, shareholders and ultimate beneficiaries
- Business plan or description of activities
- Proof of real business (contracts, invoices, website, etc.)
- Organizational structure (if you are part of a group of companies)
- Explanation of the origin of funds and source of income
Fidustria ensures the correct preparation, certification, and translation of documents — to avoid rejections and delays.
Step 4: Interview with the bank
Banks require a personal or online interview with directors and/or shareholders to:
- Proof of identity and residency status
- Analysis of the business model and expected transactions
- Compliance risk assessments
We will organize full support and, if possible, remote account opening without a trip to Hong Kong.
Step 5: Get confirmation and activate your account
After approval, you will receive account details and IBAN. The company will be able to:
- Top up the account with authorized capital or working capital
- Use online banking
- Order corporate cards
- Conduct transactions in multiple currencies (HKD, USD, EUR, CNY, etc.)
The waiting time depends on the bank and the complexity of the structure – usually from 2 to 6 weeks .
Fidustria accompanies you at every stage – from company registration to account opening and banking activation, ensuring efficiency, accuracy and compliance with all requirements.