Opening a bank account abroad used to mean booking a branch visit. Digital banks changed that: you download an app, scan your documents and wait for approval. A few of them accept visitors who happen to be in the territory. This guide compares three that appear often in traveller guides, explains what each requires, and covers the honesty points that matter most.
How they compare
- Virtual bank
- A bank licensed by the HKMA with no branches. It works through an app and is regulated like a traditional bank.
- DPS
- Deposit Protection Scheme. Covers eligible deposits up to HK$800,000 per depositor per bank in Hong Kong.
- FPS
- Faster Payment System. Lets you send and receive Hong Kong dollar payments using a phone number or email.
- CHATS
- The Hong Kong clearing system for large and cross-bank payments.
What visitors are asked for
For mainland Chinese visitors, the three guides list: a valid ID card, a Home Return Permit that is valid for at least another 30 days, an entry and exit record exported from the immigration administration's app, a mainland mobile number that can receive texts in Hong Kong, and a mainland bank card linked to that number. Ant Bank also asks you to complete the final activation with a recent exit-entry record. Visitors of other nationalities should read the list in each bank's own app, because the requirements differ.
Be in the territory
These banks check your location. WeLab and ZA require you to be in Hong Kong at the moment you apply, and Ant Bank requires you to be in Macao.
Download the right app
Some apps are only listed in the local app store. Use the official store listing and check the publisher.
Scan documents in good light
Avoid glare. Check the extracted data and correct mistakes before you confirm.
Declare tax residency and purpose truthfully
You will answer questions about where you pay tax and why you want the account. Wrong answers can cause the bank to re-review the account.
Fill in address and job accurately
WeLab warns that the residence address must be a home, not an office, with a floor and unit. Match the job details to your real situation, because the bank may later ask for proof.
Register your phone for FPS if you will receive local payments
It lets others pay you by phone number.
What these accounts are good for
Holding Hong Kong dollars
Pay local bills and use a local card without foreign fees on every purchase.
Receiving local transfers
An FPS-linked number or a local account lets others in Hong Kong pay you quickly.
Linking a wallet
Some wallets accept bank accounts for payment. See Hong Kong trip kit.
See also e-wallets and digital banks and deposit insurance explained.
Questions people ask
Do these banks charge fees to open or hold an account?
WeLab says it charges no minimum deposit, no account management fee and no opening fee. ZA Bank also reports no deposit threshold. Check the current fee schedule before applying.
What do mainland Chinese visitors typically need?
Reports list a valid ID card, a Home Return Permit with at least 30 days left, an entry and exit record from the immigration app, a mainland mobile number that can receive texts in Hong Kong, and a linked mainland bank card. Other nationalities follow each bank's own list.
Should I use a referral code?
Referral bonuses change often and carry conditions such as minimum deposits and holding periods. This guide does not recommend any code. Read the bank's own terms.
Sources
Written from these pages and checked against them on October 6, 2026. Programs and rules change, so check the provider’s current terms before you decide.
General information, not financial, legal or travel advice. Your own card terms and the provider’s current rules always come first.