What counts as the balance for waiving the fee?

Total Relationship Balance — the total across all of the company’s products with HSBC in Hong Kong under the same BR number: deposits, investments, utilised credit, cards, the cash value of insurance. The bank takes the average over the previous three months.

Will HSBC open an account for a UAE company?

It may accept the application: the bank has a separate document list for overseas companies — articles of association, a certificate of incumbency or a registry extract issued within 6 months. The tariff is HK$11,000. HSBC offers remote opening and the Sprint package only to companies registered in Hong Kong.

Which industries face stricter review?

Defence, oil and gas, and precious metals — HSBC considers them with additional review, but an account is possible. You need a transparent structure, deal documents and a clear source of funds. Our fee on such projects depends on the structure and the risk level.

How much do transfers cost?

TT from internet banking — HK$125, to HSBC offices in mainland China — HK$100, at a branch — HK$480. Incoming TT — HK$65. FPS within Hong Kong — HK$5 outgoing, incoming free. Correspondent banks may deduct their own fees.

Are there payment limits and a personal manager?

There are no special limits — the business model sets them. As a rule, there is no personal manager, but the call centre works well; transfers, bill payments and statements are available in Business Internet Banking and the app.

Is the company’s money insured?

Yes, within the limit. HSBC is a member of Hong Kong’s Deposit Protection Scheme: up to HK$800,000 per depositor per bank, company accounts included, in HKD, RMB and other currencies. Structured deposits, time deposits longer than five years and non-deposit products — bonds, funds, insurance — are not protected.

What happens if the account sits idle?

If the average balance is below HK$50,000 and there have been no transactions for over a year, the bank charges HK$350 in June and December, over two years — HK$450. Internet banking not logged into for 180 days — another HK$250; account closure — HK$650.

First deposit — HK$10,000

Or USD 1,000. Until it arrives, the bank does not activate the new account.

Elizaveta Germash

Bank accounts

An HSBC account — where to start?

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Bank account opening

HSBC business account in Hong Kong: packages, fees and the bank meeting

Q: Can I open an HSBC account without travelling to Hong Kong?

Remotely — only for companies that meet the bank’s criteria: registered in Hong Kong, operating in Hong Kong or mainland China, no corporate shareholders or directors, no more than two connected individuals, and directors holding a permanent HKID, a mainland China resident identity card or a passport from one of 14 countries on the bank’s list. Without a permanent HKID, the bank may invite you to a video call or a meeting. Everyone else books an appointment at an HSBC Business Centre; in our experience, a non-resident director needs a meeting in Hong Kong.

Q: How much does it cost to open an account?

Under the tariff — HK$1,300 for an online application, HK$1,600 on paper. If the company is overseas, or a Hong Kong company has a foreign company as a shareholder or director, or there are three layers of ownership — HK$11,000. After approval — a first deposit of HK$10,000 or USD 1,000: this is the company’s money in the account, not a fee. After that — a maintenance fee if the balance is below the package threshold.

Q: Which account package should I choose?

The balance decides. Sprint — for a company up to three years old with a single layer of ownership, operating in Hong Kong, with turnover up to USD 3 million: the first year is free. Business Direct — no fee with an average balance of HK$100,000 or more, BusinessVantage — from HK$500,000. Below the threshold — HK$200 a month, on BusinessVantage — up to HK$450.

HSBC opens accounts for Hong Kong companies, including those with non-resident owners — provided the structure and business model are clear. In our experience, it takes 6–8 weeks from application to opening, and a non-resident director needs to meet the bank.

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6–8 weeks
From application to opening — based on our practice: HK$100,000
3-month average balance with no maintenance fee on Business Direct: HK$1,300
Online application; overseas company — HK$11,000: 11 currencies
Besides HKD, in one account: RMB, USD, EUR, GBP and 7 more

Other banks in Hong Kong

All banks in Hong Kong

In short

HSBC opens accounts for Hong Kong companies, including those with non-resident owners, given a clear structure and business model; in our experience it takes 6–8 weeks from application and a director’s meeting with the bank. An online application is HK$1,300, HK$11,000 for an overseas company.

Checked 4 November 2026 · Elizaveta Germash

Cost of a mistake

HK$9,700

The extra cost at opening if a foreign holding owns the Hong Kong company: HK$11,000 instead of HK$1,300 and a review of the whole chain.

How to avoid it

HSBC — a strong account for a Hong Kong company, if the bank understands the structure

Accounts are opened for companies with non-resident owners too, but the structure sets the price and the path: a corporate shareholder from another country or three layers of ownership move the application to a different tariff and a deeper review.

Three account packages
Sprint for young companies, Business Direct and BusinessVantage. No maintenance fee with an average balance of HK$50,000, 100,000 or 500,000 or more.
Structure changes the tariff
An online application costs HK$1,300. If a shareholder or director of a Hong Kong company is a foreign company, the bank treats it as an overseas company: HK$11,000.
A call and a meeting
The bank invites directors without a permanent HKID to a video call or a meeting. In our experience, non-residents are given a meeting in Hong Kong, preceded by a call.
Strong online banking
Business Internet Banking, the HSBC HK Business Express app and a free Mobile Security Key. As a rule, there is no personal manager — the call centre handles requests.

Who it suits

Who it suits — and when to choose something else

A good fit if

01You have or will have a Hong Kong company that needs a main account in HKD, USD and RMB.
02The owners are individuals holding directly, with no intermediate companies.
03You pay mostly online: a TT from internet banking costs HK$125, a local FPS transfer — HK$5.
04The company is ready to keep an average balance of HK$100,000 or more — then Business Direct has no monthly fee.
05The director can travel to Hong Kong to meet the bank.

Consider something else if

01The director can’t travel to Hong Kong. HSBC in Shanghai opens NRA accounts remotely, but expects a link to China or Asia and proven business activity.HSBC
02You need the account within a week, not in 6–8 weeks — start with a payment platform.Payment platforms
03You only have a UAE company. For HSBC it is an overseas company: an HK$11,000 application, a separate document list, no remote opening and no Sprint package.UAE

Bank dossier

HSBC in Hong Kong — terms, fees and restrictions

Everything about the bank on one card: terms — based on our practice, fees — per HSBC’s tariff.

HSBC

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation · in Hong Kong since 1865

HKD + 11 currencies
Call and meeting
6–8 weeks
Balance HKD 100,000

Open to: Hong Kong and overseas companies, including those with non-resident owners
Currencies: HKD plus 11 currencies in one account: RMB, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, JPY, CAD, SGD, CHF, THB
Opening: Online application; for non-residents — a call and a meeting with the bank
Timeline: 6–8 weeks in our experience; under the remote-opening criteria — from 3 days
Balance: Typically HKD 100,000 — the Business Direct threshold: below it, HK$200 a month
Limits: None in particular — they depend on the business model

Terms — based on our team’s practice as of October 2026; fees — per HSBC’s Commercial Tariffs (August 2026). The bank has the final say.

Benefits

What you get

Structure built around the bank’s tariff

Before registration, we show how corporate shareholders and ownership layers change the opening fee and the depth of review.

A file built for HSBC’s review

Company profile, supply chain, contracts, the owners’ source of funds — what the bank asks about on the call and at the meeting.

Preparation for the bank conversation

We go through questions about suppliers, clients and the flow of funds. The director comes to the meeting with figures, not guesses.

Certification by the bank’s rules

We check that copies were certified by someone HSBC accepts: a lawyer, notary, auditor, licensed trust company or a member of the HKCGI.

The company stays in order after opening

Audit, annual return and BR renewal — on time. HSBC accepts audited accounts and annual reports as proof of the company’s ongoing source of funds.

Status in the client portal

Stages, bank requests and documents — in one portal. You can see whose move it is.

Let’s discuss the details

Will your structure pass at HSBC?

Send us the ownership chart and a couple of lines about the business — we’ll tell you which tariff the application will fall under and what the bank will ask at the meeting.

Elizaveta Germash

Bank accounts

How it opens

Who does what while HSBC opens the account

The usual path for a non-resident director — and the remote one, if the company meets the bank’s criteria. Timelines are based on our practice and HSBC’s data as of October 2026.

You

Documents

Passports, addresses, company documents, source of funds.

1–2 weeks

Meeting with the bank

Questions about suppliers, clients and the flow of funds.

Activation

HK$10,000 deposit, Mobile Security Key, internet banking.

up to 1 week

GOFIRM

Structure and tariff

Standard application or overseas company — we decide before submission.

1–2 days

File and application

Profile, turnover, counterparties; online application — HK$1,300.

3–5 days

Bank

Call

The bank clarifies the business before onboarding.

Decision

Review and document requests.

6–8 weeks from application

From you — documents, a meeting with the bank and the first deposit. We handle the structure, the file and preparation for the bank conversation.

Documents

What you’ll need

Company documents

CI and certificate of change of name, if any
Articles of association and amending resolutions
Return of allotments NSC1 and instruments of transfer, if any
Proof of business address: a valid BR or a utility bill issued within the last 3 months
For a new company — form NNC1; for one over a year old — the latest annual return NAR1. Or a company search report issued within 6 months
Ownership chart up to the ultimate beneficial owners, certified by a director — if a shareholder is a company

People

ID documents of all signatories, beneficial owners from 10%, a key controller and those acting on the company’s behalf
Name, nationality, date of birth and residential address of each; for the director — proof of address issued within the last 3 months
Beneficial owners’ tax residence; FATCA and CRS forms — if applicable
Who represents the company at opening — enough people for a quorum; if not a director or beneficial owner — a board resolution on their authority

Business and funds

Proof of the company’s source of funds: financial statements or bank statements of a related company, loan or funding agreements
Beneficial owners’ source of wealth — per the bank’s list
If there are no transactions yet — two contracts for planned deals: with a supplier and with a buyer
A statement from another bank and the company website — if available
Documents the bank marks — original or certified copy; if not in English or Chinese — with an English translation

Timing and budget

What makes up the budget

Fees follow HSBC’s Commercial Tariffs for commercial customers (August 2026), indicative as of October 2026; the bank has the final say.

ItemDepends onWhen

Account applicationDepends onHK$1,300 online or in the app; on paper and via other channels — HK$300 more. Overseas company, three layers of ownership or a trust — HK$11,000 per account. Opening facilitated by an overseas HSBC branch — HK$2,250 per request, subject to availability; the branch may charge for certification.WhenOn application
First depositDepends onHK$10,000 or USD 1,000 — without it the account is not activated.WhenAfter approval
Package maintenanceDepends onBusiness Direct — HK$200 a month if the 3-month average balance is below HK$100,000. Sprint — free for the first 12 months, then HK$200 with a balance below HK$50,000. BusinessVantage — HK$200 with a balance of HK$100,000–500,000, HK$450 below HK$100,000.WhenMonthly, on the 4th working day
TransfersDepends onTT from internet banking — HK$125, to HSBC offices in China — HK$100; at a branch — HK$480. Incoming TT — HK$65. Outgoing FPS — HK$5, incoming — free. Plus correspondent bank fees.WhenPer transaction
Access and statementsDepends onMobile Security Key — free, physical token — HK$200. Paper statement — HK$20, from November 2026 — HK$30; eStatement — free.WhenOn request
Inactivity and closureDepends onBalance below HK$50,000 and no transactions for over a year — HK$350 in June and December, over two years — HK$450. Internet banking not logged into for 180 days — HK$250. Account closure — HK$650.WhenWhen idle and on closure
Trip to Hong KongDepends onThe director’s flights and accommodation if the bank schedules a meeting in Hong Kong.WhenFor the bank meeting
Our supportDepends onStructure, file, preparation for the call and the meeting. The fee depends on the structure and risk level — we fix it in our proposal.WhenWhen we start work

Account packages

Sprint, Business Direct or BusinessVantage — which to choose

All three are a multi-currency Business Integrated Account. They differ in the balance threshold, fees and access to HSBCnet; Sprint is only for a company up to three years old with a single layer of ownership. Balance — the average Total Relationship Balance over 3 months; fees as of October 2026.

No maintenance fee

First 12 months

then — with a balance from HK$50,000

Fee below the threshold

HK$200 a month

Branch counter transactions

HK$10 each

Click an option to highlight it across every parameter

No maintenance fee

First 12 months

then — with a balance from HK$50,000

With a balance from HK$100,000

With a balance from HK$500,000

Fee below the threshold

HK$200 a month

HK$200 or HK$450

HK$450 — with a balance below HK$100,000

Branch counter transactions

HK$10 each

3 a month free

then — HK$10

50 a month free

then — HK$10

Getting it right

Common mistakes — and how to avoid them

Click a card to see how to do it right · 0 of 6 open

01 What people often do
Setting up the Hong Kong company through a UAE holding company “for credibility”.
02 What people often do
Preparing documents only for owners from 25%.
03 What people often do
Bringing plain copies of foreign documents.
04 What people often do
Opening the account and leaving it nearly empty.
05 What people often do
Going to the meeting without figures: “turnover will be big”.
06 What people often do
Treating the account as open right after approval.

FAQ

Expert answers

Elizaveta Germash — Bank accounts

Remotely — only for companies that meet the bank’s criteria: registered in Hong Kong, operating in Hong Kong or mainland China, no corporate shareholders or directors, no more than two connected individuals, and directors holding a permanent HKID, a mainland China resident identity card or a passport from one of 14 countries on the bank’s list. Without a permanent HKID, the bank may invite you to a video call or a meeting. Everyone else books an appointment at an HSBC Business Centre; in our experience, a non-resident director needs a meeting in Hong Kong.

Elizaveta Germash · Bank accounts

Under the tariff — HK$1,300 for an online application, HK$1,600 on paper. If the company is overseas, or a Hong Kong company has a foreign company as a shareholder or director, or there are three layers of ownership — HK$11,000. After approval — a first deposit of HK$10,000 or USD 1,000: this is the company’s money in the account, not a fee. After that — a maintenance fee if the balance is below the package threshold.

Elizaveta Germash · Bank accounts

The balance decides. Sprint — for a company up to three years old with a single layer of ownership, operating in Hong Kong, with turnover up to USD 3 million: the first year is free. Business Direct — no fee with an average balance of HK$100,000 or more, BusinessVantage — from HK$500,000. Below the threshold — HK$200 a month, on BusinessVantage — up to HK$450.

Elizaveta Germash · Bank accounts

Sources

Deadlines, amounts and rules are based on these sources as of the check date. Rules change: check with us before deciding.

Often goes with this

What else you may need

Bank Accounts

Hang Seng Bank

A bank in the same group: similar review, its own tariff and packages

Bank Accounts

OCBC

If the business is linked to Asia and can keep HK$100,000 or more

Company Registration

Hong Kong

A company we plan around the bank’s requirements from the start

Next step

An HSBC account — where to start?

Tell us about the company, its owners and payments. We’ll tell you which package fits and which tariff the application will fall under, put together the file and prepare the director for the meeting.

Elizaveta GermashLawyer · Bank accounts