How to open a Bank of China account as a foreigner?

When visiting China or moving to China, managing finances is a concern for many. While credit cards and traveler's checks are useful for overseas visitors to China, it is a Chinese bank account that seems to be a must for foreigners studying or working in China. You’ll need a bank account to withdraw Chinese Yuan, and make international money transfers. Additionally, you usually have to receive your salary, pay your school fees and medical bills using your bank account.

Many expats choose to open an account with the Bank of China (BOC), the leading commercial bank in China. It is advisable to find out in advance the specific requirements and procedures of the BOC bank branch in your city. The requirements for foreigners to apply for an account may vary from place to place.

To make managing finances abroad more easily, we suggest opening a Wise account. It enables you to receive and send money from and to 160+ countries, including China. Also, it will be easy to pay for your house rent, grocery list, and other expenses with a Wise debit card.

So let’s look at topic at hand -- how to open a Bank of China account as a foreigner, with complete online and onsite instructions.

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Table of contents

Can I open a Bank of China account as a foreigner? What requirements do I need to open a Bank of of China account? How many bank account types Bank of China have? How to open a Bank of China account onsite? Can I open a bank account in China online? Step by step guide about opening Bank of China account online Bank of China overseas branches and locations Things to know when you using Chinese banks to make international transfers Learn about Wise international money transfer: send money to over 160 countries including China, hold +40 currencies and you can use a Wise debit card in China!

Can I open a Bank of China account as a foreigner?

Yes, you can. Bank of China welcomes foreign nationals to open an account, provided they can provide proper documents and meet the bank's requirements. It is your choice to open a personal account for personal banking or a corporate account for business banking¹.

What requirements do I need to open a Bank of of China account?**

1. Valid passport or permanent residence permit for foreigners

2. If you hold a passport for account opening, the Bank of China will check the visa type of the passport.

The bank will only open an account for you when the visa type is Settlement, Resident Correspondent, Trade, Long-term Family Visit, Talent, Long-term Private Affairs, Long-term Study, Tenure Employment, Courtesy Visa, Diplomatic Visa, and you can present the corresponding supporting documents (e.g., work permit, motor vehicle driver's license, social security card, public utility bill, student ID card, letter of introduction, letter of invitation, or any other valid documents or certificates that can prove the identity of the applicant).

1. Proof of address. The Bank of China will not open an account if the applicant provides a false address, fails to provide a valid address, or provides an address that is not in the area.

Please note:

1. Branches of the Bank of China in different cities have their own eligibility criteria. So make sure you consult the local branch in your city.

2. If you are opening a business account with the Bank of China, proof of the business’s proper registration, names of directors, the company seal, proof of identity for the legal representatives of the business, and some other documents are required.

How many bank account types Bank of China have?

The Bank of China offers credit cards and debit cards according to whether or not the cardholder is granted access to credit lines².

Based on their respective purposes, debit cards are separated into three categories: transfer, specialized, and stored value cards. Debit cards can be used for money transferring, cash accessing and spending. ATM transfers and withdrawals are possible with debit cards, but overdraft protection is not available. You can also link a debit card to a third-party payment method such as Alipay or WeChat Pay.

As for credit accounts, there are credit cards and quasi-credit cards. The former means that the Bank of China grants the cardholder a certain credit limit, within which the cardholder can spend first and repay later. The latter is a credit card in which the cardholder first deposits a certain amount of reserve as required by the bank, and when the reserve is insufficient for payment, the cardholder can overdraw within the credit limit stipulated by the Bank of China.

How to open a Bank of China account onsite?

1. Enquire about the documents required to open an account by calling the local branch of the Bank of China, and make an appointment as well.
2. Assemble all required documents and paperwork.
3. Visit the bank directly with your documents, fill in the application forms, conduct identity and document audits, and sign the relevant banking materials.
4. Receive your card onsite.

How long does it take?

It depends on the length of queues at the local bank on the day and staff processing times.

How much do I need to open a Bank of China account?

Some cash is necessary, as you need to pay the bank card that costs up to 5 yuan/card³, and the initial deposit that must be more than or equivalent to ￥1 Yuan.

The good news is that the Bank of China has abolished the annual fee for personal debit cards and the management fee for RMB personal small demand deposit accounts since February 2022⁴.

Can I open a bank account in China online?

Foreign nationals are unable to open a Bank of China account online through the official website, in-app or Wechat official account of BOC. You will have to go to the bank in person.

Step by step guide about opening Bank of China account online

1. Open the Bank of China official website: www.boc.cn in your browser.
2. Select "E-banking" at the top of the homepage, and click "Bank of China Mobile Banking Client Download" in the "Download Centre" on the right side of the page.
3. Download the Bank of China app on your IPhone or Android phone⁵.
4. Click “Me” > “Settings” > “Security Centre” > “Online Account Opening”.

Do be aware that opening a Bank of China account online is an digital card. If you need a physical card, you still need to bring the required documents to the Bank of China branch.

Bank of China overseas branches and locations

Among all banks in China, Bank of China has the most overseas branches, with a total of 643 foreign branches in 28 countries and areas⁶, including the US, Canada, Grand Cayman, Panama, Brazil, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Emirate of Dubai, Kingdom of Bahrain, Mongolia, UK, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Abu Dhabi, Zambia, South Africa, and Kenya⁷.

In addition, it has established global clearing centers in New York, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and other currency hubs, and maintains correspondent banking connections with banks in all main countries in the world ⁶.

Here below we just list some of the BOC foreign branches, click for thefull list:

• Bank of China in the US
  • New York branches:
  • New York Branch
  • New York China Town Branch
  • Los Angeles Branch
  • Chicago Branch
• Bank of China in HK
  • Bank of China Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited
  • Bank of China International Financing Limited
  • Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
  • Bank of China International Futures Limited
  • Nanyang Commercial Bank Limited
• Bank of China in Singapore
  • Singapore Branch
  • Katong sub-branch
  • South sub-branch
  • North sub-branch
  • Central sub-branch
• Bank of China in Malaysia
  • Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad
  • Muar Branch
  • Penang Branch
  • Klang Branch
  • Johor Bahru Branch
• Bank of China in Australia
  • Bank of China (Australia) Limited
  • Sydney Branch
  • Melbourne Branch
  • Perth Branch
  • Brisbane Branch
• Bank of China in UK
  • London Branch
  • Bank of China (UK) Limited
  • Bank of China (UK) Limited London Chinatown Branch
  • Bank of China (UK) Limited London Manchester Branch
  • Bank of China (UK) Limited London Glasgow Branch

Things to know when you using Chinese banks to make international transfers

For an expat, one important thing when you open a bank account in China is to make international transfers, whether it is to receive funds from abroad or send money out of China. And there are a few you may be concerned about.

What currency rates do banks in China use?

All banks in the world, including Chinese banks, set their own rate. There is usually a buy rate and a sell rate for banks to make profit when processing financial transactions for their customers. But is there a fair rate? Yes, there is. Themid-market rate -- the middle point between a buy and a sell rate is acknowledged to be the fairest rate.

How long does it take to make an international transfer with the Bank of China?

It takes three to five working days for the funds to arrive at the destination account abroad.

And the foreign receiving bank (including transfer bank) will generally process the transfer within the next one to two working days.

What document do you need to take with you?

Your valid passport and any other necessary credentials.

As the requirements and procedures for cross-border RMB outward remittance services are complicated, please consult your local branch directly for exact details.

What forms need to be filled out to make a wire transfer via Bank of China?

1. English wire transfer application form.
2. Fill in the remittance information:
3. Currency and amount;
4. Remitter's name and address, and telephone number,
5. Recipient's resident country, name and address, depository bank name and address, depositary bank SWIFT code, recipient's account number, and the country's unified clearing number for the recipient's bank.

What are the limits for each international transfer?

The single limit for foreigners to remit abroad with the Bank of China is USD 50,000. If the limit is exceeded, it is necessary to hold documents proving the transaction amount and the Tax Filing Form for Foreign Payment of Service Trade and Other Items stamped by the competent tax authority.

Learn about Wise international money transfer: send money to over 160 countries including China, hold +40 currencies and you can use a Wise debit card in China!

Wiseis an alternative to using a Chinese bank account when it comes to making international transfers and converting currencies. Why? Wise users can hold and convert more than 40 currencies, including RMB, and can send RMB money out of China to 160+ countries!

Wise makes handling your money while living and working in China very convenient and cheap.

1. Save more when sending money to 70+ countries at a mid-market rate.
2. Wise service is fully functional online or via the Wise app.
3. Send CNY money directly to Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay bank cards
4. Wise debit card is available in 150+ countries.

Opening a Wise account in China takes little effort or stress. You don’t have to go to a physical bank, queue up, and wait for manual processing. Join 16 million Wise users globally today!

_ *This service is provided in partnership with a licensed third-party payment provider in China._

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Source：

1. Bank of China: home page
2. Bank of China: Global website
3. Bank of China: Public Notice of Adjustment of Personal Debit Card Fee Charges
4. Bank of China: Announcement on the cancellation of annual fees for personal debit cards and management fees for small accounts
5. Bank of China: E-banking_Mobile Banking
6. Bank of China: Outward Overseas Remittance
7. Bank of China: Global website>Organization