After the recent tightening of stablecoin regulations, bank account opening policies in Hong Kong have also been adjusted. HSBC Hong Kong has now opened an online application channel, and mainland users do not need to fly to queue.

I tried the whole process myself - just install the HSBC HK app on your phone, provided that your Hong Kong and Macau pass is still valid for more than three months, and the phone must support NFC. Open the App and fill in the information as prompted, take a photo of the pass, and then stick the ID on the back of the phone to read the chip information when the face is recognized. Then add some regular questions such as income sources, work background, etc., and submit it.

After the review, there is a 90-day window to activate in Hong Kong. When you get there, connect to the local WiFi, call up your entry and exit record in the immigration 12367 mini program, return to the activation page of the bank app to upload this record, and the account will be opened.

Compared with the hassle of having to go to the counter to sign in person, it is indeed much more convenient now. Most of the procedures are completed online, and there is no need to spend time queuing after landing in Hong Kong, and it can be activated within half an hour.