Starting in late May, Hong Kong banks have quietly raised the threshold for mainland residents to open accounts. This is not simply a matter of “gradual tightening”—some banks have, in fact, already closed their doors to ordinary people.

If you're planning to visit soon,Opening a Bank Account in Hong Kong...or if you have needs related to offshore wealth management, insurance, or investments, you must read this article in its entirety. Because if you miss this opportunity now, it may truly be too late.

You can also contact our online customer service (WeChat: jxhqcy890 / Mobile: 16625410105), and arrange for professional consultants to answer questions, provide expert advice, and offer one-on-one service throughout the entire process.

01 HSBC Hong Kong: You can still open an account for now, but don't put it off

HSBC continues to receive the highest volume of inquiries. Applications for its “HSBC One” account can still be submitted online for the time being.

✅ HSBC One Account in Hong Kong

● Apply entirely online (via the HSBC HK App) + travel to Hong Kong to activate the card

● No account opening fee, no management fee (management fee waived for accounts with an average daily balance of ≥10,000 HKD)

● Multiple currencies: Hong Kong dollars / U.S. dollars / Chinese yuan—the top choice for deposits and withdrawals for Hong Kong and U.S. stocks, as well as large-amount transfers

● We offer: preliminary document review, guidance on filling out online forms, appointment scheduling for activation, tips for in-person interviews, and follow-up after home visits

● Important Reminder: In-person services will be completely suspended after June 10; only online services will be available, and the review process will become stricter.
.

But please note—“—“”Still able to operate for now" does not mean "able to operate forever.". With Bank of China and Standard Chartered tightening their policies one after another, HSBC’s review standards could follow suit at any time. An appointment you can secure today might not be available next week. The sooner you apply, the fewer uncertainties you’ll face.

.

02 Bank of China (Hong Kong): Has Virtually Closed Its Doors to Mainland Residents

If we were to say which of the three banks charges the highest fees, it would definitely beBank of China Hong Kong (BOCHK)The

On the surface, it still seems possible to submit an application for online account opening. But in reality, since the approval criteria have become stricter, the approval rate is shockingly low—out of every 10 applicants, only about one is approved.
.

The situation at physical teller counters is even more dire. Currently, many branches have quietly added two “mandatory requirements”:

1. You must hold in your nameBank accounts in Hong Kong or overseas, and issueHK$100,000 to HK$300,000Proof of foreign assets of varying amounts.

2. Tourist visas are no longer accepted. Only the following are accepted:Hong Kong Work Visas and Student Visas's customers.

.

To put it bluntly: Mainland residents without Hong Kong residency status basically can’t open an account at Bank of China (Hong Kong) these days. Even if you show up in person at the teller window, you’ll most likely be politely asked to leave.

.

.

03 Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong): The entry requirements are currently relatively low

Of the three major banks, the only one that is still somewhat “friendly” at the moment isStandard Chartered BankThe

The requirements for opening an account are relatively simple: you must haveHold 500,000 Hong Kong dollars (or the equivalent)Once you have the assets, you can arrange to open an account. You do not need Hong Kong residency, nor do you need to have an existing overseas account.
.

That’s exactly why Standard Chartered has recently become the target of a rush by mainland customers looking to open accounts. But with demand skyrocketing, Standard Chartered could raise its eligibility requirements at any moment—I’m not trying to scare you, but banks often tighten their policies without any warning.

At this stage,Standard Chartered is the easiest bank for ordinary people to open an account with.one of them. But this “easiest” is relative. A proof of assets of 500,000 is not a small amount for many families, and the threshold will only get higher, not lower.

.

04 Hua Mei Bank, U.S.

act asMajor U.S. Banks(East West Bank, listed on NASDAQ, with FDIC deposit insurance coverage)—the Huamei Card’s performance in 2026 directly addresses the core needs of cross-border travelers: “convenience, freedom, privacy, and low costs.”

1. Zero threshold for opening an account: online video office in Mainland China, no need to go to the U.S. without SSN.

Entirely handled within China: No need to travel to Hong Kong, no U.S. visa required, and no U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or U.S. address needed—all you need is your ID card and a passport valid for at least 6 months, and you can open an account via video verification.

Minimal Materials: All you need is an ID card, passport, and a paper proof of address from within the last 3 months (including your name and residential address); no complicated proof of assets is required, so even first-time applicants can get approved quickly.

Low activation costs: Activate this offer with an initial deposit of $1,500 or more. Maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 to receive a full waiver of the monthly management fee—with no hidden fees.

.

2. Freedom of funds: no foreign exchange control, with Hong Kong and U.S. stocks is more efficient.

No exchange controls: Funds can be deposited and withdrawn with complete freedom; the service supports cross-border transfers to accounts under the same or different names; deposits and withdrawals for Hong Kong and U.S. stocks, as well as cross-border trade receipts, can be processed directly without any detours, and funds are credited quickly.

Non-CRS System: Since the U.S. has not joined the CRS, account information from Huamei Card accounts will not be automatically exchanged with mainland Chinese tax authorities, resulting in significantly enhanced asset privacy and compliance.

Comprehensive Feature Coverage: Supports mobile check deposits, Zelle real-time transfers, international money transfers, global ATM cash withdrawals, and in-person purchases with a physical Visa card, covering all scenarios for cross-border spending, investing, and everyday payments.

.

3. Cost containment: low rates + no redundancy charges

Cost transparency: Monthly maintenance fee of $10; waived if the account balance is ≥$1,500; $16 per transaction for incoming international wire transfers and $40 per transaction for outgoing international wire transfers; ACH transfers within the U.S. are free.

No hidden fees: Unlike Hong Kong cards that charge small management and dormancy fees, the Huamei Card only charges core transaction fees, resulting in lower account maintenance costs.

.

4. Friendly experience: Chinese language service, zero threshold operation

Service Entirely in Chinese: The official website, app, video tutorials, and customer service all support Chinese, so there are no language barriers, and the user experience is tailored to the preferences of Chinese users.

Physical Card Direct Mail: Once your video application is approved, the physical card will be mailed directly to your home. You can activate and use it in China, and there are no restrictions on making purchases or withdrawing cash worldwide.

.

If you need assistance with opening a U.S. bank account, registering a U.S. company, registering other overseas companies, setting up an offshore structure, or ensuring financial and tax compliance for cross-border e-commerce, please scan the QR code to add Qicaiying’s online customer service (WeChat ID: jxhqcy890 / Cell: 16625410105), where a professional manager will answer your questions, offer expert advice, and provide one-on-one service throughout the entire process ↓↓↓

.

A one-sentence summary of the current situation:

• HSBC: It's still possible, but the window of opportunity is unclear
• Bank of China: It's basically impossible to open an account now.
• Standard Chartered: Lowest threshold, but subject to change at any time
  .

If you really need to open a bank account in Hong Kong soon, or if you want to stay up to date on the latest information regarding offshore wealth management, insurance, and asset allocation, don’t wait any longer. Policies don’t wait for anyone, and banks certainly won’t give you advance notice.

The window of opportunity may only last a few days—or even a few hours. Take action—don’t miss out.

If you haveHong Kong Bank Account OpeningFor needs such as Hong Kong company registration, other overseas company registrations, setting up offshore structures, and cross-border e-commerce financial and tax compliance, please contact Qicaiying’s online customer service (WeChat ID: jxhqcy890 / Cell: 16625410105), where a professional manager will answer your questions, offer expert advice, and provide one-on-one service throughout the entire process ↓↓↓

If you don’t want to travel to Hong Kong to open an account, you can also apply for a personal savings card from Hua Mei Bank in the U.S. remotely online from the mainland.