Opening a bank account in Hong Kong
Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s leading international business centres, thanks to its favourable tax system, developed financial infrastructure and global connections. Whether you are opening a trading company, holding structure or a start-up, one of the key steps is opening a corporate bank account.
However, due to increasing compliance requirements, this process can be complex without professional 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 Registrar of Companies. The standard form is Private Limited Company .
You will receive the following documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate
- Articles of Association
- Register of Directors and Shareholders
Without these documents, it is impossible to open an account.
Fidustria prepares, checks and submits all documents in the required format — without delays and risks.
Step 2: Select a bank or payment platform
There are a wide range of banks 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 (EMI) or virtual banks:
Airwallex, Statrys, etc., which offer faster registration and simplified requirements.
Fidustria will help you choose between a traditional bank and an EMI depending on your business, launch schedule and specifics.
Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents
To pass KYC and AML checks, a full package is required:
- Company’s constituent documents
- Passports and proof of address of directors, shareholders and 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)
- Justification of the origin of funds and sources of income
Fidustria ensures that documents are prepared, certified and translated correctly – to avoid rejections and delays.
Step 4: Interview with the bank
Banks require in-person or online interviews with directors and/or shareholders to:
- Proof of identity and residency status
- Analysis of the business model and expected transactions
- Risk assessments from a compliance perspective
We will provide full support and, if possible, remote account opening without a trip to Hong Kong.
Step 5: Receive confirmation and activate your account
Once approved, you will receive account details and IBAN. The company will be able to:
- Replenish 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 opening period depends on the bank and the complexity of the structure — usually from 2 to 6 weeks.
Fidustria accompanies you every step of the way, from company registration to account opening and banking activation, ensuring efficiency, accuracy and compliance with all requirements.