What you need to know before you start
Yes, you can open a bank account in China, but the process and your options depend heavily on your visa status, how long you plan to stay, and which bank you choose. Most major Chinese banks will open accounts for foreigners, but they require proof of legal residence—usually a valid visa and a residence permit—plus a Chinese phone number and sometimes a local address. The entire process typically takes one to three weeks once you have all documents in hand.
The catch: if you are on a tourist visa or do not yet have a residence permit, many banks will turn you away or offer only limited accounts that cannot receive international transfers. If you are staying longer than 180 days, you must register for a residence permit before opening a full account; without it, you are restricted to basic savings accounts with low transfer limits.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a valid visa and a residence permit (if staying over 180 days) to open a standard bank account; tourist visas alone are usually not enough.
- Major banks like ICBC, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, and China Construction Bank all accept foreign account holders, but requirements and fees vary by branch.
- You will need a Chinese phone number (often obtained through a local SIM card) and proof of address, which can be a lease, utility bill, or employer letter.
- International transfers into and out of Chinese bank accounts are possible but subject to China's foreign exchange controls; daily limits apply and documentation is required.
- Opening an account in person at a branch is the only reliable method; online-only accounts for foreigners are rare, and many apps require a Chinese ID number you do not have.
Visa and residence permit requirements
The first barrier is legal status. China distinguishes between tourists and residents, and banks enforce this distinction strictly. If you are on a tourist visa (usually 30 to 90 days), most banks will refuse to open a full account. Some branches may offer a basic savings account with severe restrictions—no international transfers, low daily withdrawal limits, and sometimes a requirement to close the account when your visa expires.
If you are staying longer than 180 days, you must obtain a residence permit from your local Public Security Bureau (PSB) before or shortly after arrival. This is not optional for banking purposes; it is the legal requirement. Once you have the permit, banks treat you as a resident and offer full account access. The residence permit process itself takes one to two weeks and requires your passport, visa, employment letter or school enrollment proof, and proof of address.
If you are on a work visa or student visa and have not yet received your residence permit, ask your employer or school whether they can expedite the process. Some companies have relationships with the PSB and can speed this up. Do not try to open a bank account before you have the permit; you will waste time and may be flagged as non-compliant.
Which banks accept foreign account holders
The four largest state-owned banks all accept foreigners: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Bank of China (BOC), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), and China Construction Bank (CCB). These are your safest bets because they have English-speaking staff at major branches in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Smaller regional banks and joint-stock banks like China Merchants Bank or Shanghai Pudong Development Bank also accept foreigners, but staff may speak less English and requirements can vary by branch.
Do not assume all branches of the same bank have the same policy. A branch in a major business district may welcome foreign accounts, while a neighborhood branch may refuse. Call ahead or visit in person to confirm. If you are in a smaller city, start with the largest branch you can find; they are more likely to have handled foreign accounts before and to have someone on staff who speaks English.
Online banks and fintech apps (like WeChat Pay or Alipay) require a Chinese national ID number or a residence permit linked to your passport in their system. You cannot open these accounts as a foreigner without already having a bank account or a residence permit, so they are not a starting point.
Documents you will need to bring
Bring originals and copies of the following to your bank branch:
- Passport and a copy of the photo page and visa page.
- Residence permit (if you have one; if not, a valid long-term visa such as a work or student visa).
- Proof of address: a lease agreement, utility bill, employer letter on company letterhead, or school enrollment letter. The document must show your name and a Chinese address. If your lease is in Chinese, bring it; if it is in English only, ask your landlord for a Chinese version or a notarized translation.
- A Chinese phone number: you must provide this on the application form. If you do not have one, buy a local SIM card (about 10–20 RMB) from any mobile carrier shop before you go to the bank. You do not need to activate it; you just need the number.
- Your employer or school letter (if applicable): some banks ask for this to verify your reason for staying in China, especially if your residence permit is still processing.
Do not bring originals of documents you cannot replace easily. Banks will photocopy what they need, but some branches may ask to keep a copy of your passport or residence permit. Politely ask whether they will return it or whether a certified copy is acceptable instead.
The account opening process, step by step
Visit a branch in person during business hours (usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, with some Saturday hours). Go to the customer service desk and tell them you want to open an account (in Chinese: "我想开一个银行账户" or in English if the staff speaks it). They will hand you an application form, usually in Chinese with some English translations.
Fill out the form with your name, passport number, address, phone number, and the type of account you want (a basic savings account is the standard choice). You will be asked to set a PIN and choose whether you want online banking and a debit card. Say yes to both; they are free and you will need them.
The staff will photocopy your documents, verify your information, and ask you to sign the form. They may ask questions about your employment, your reason for opening the account, or your plans in China. Answer honestly and briefly. The whole process takes 20 to 45 minutes. You will receive a debit card on the spot or within a few days (some branches mail it), and your account is active immediately.
After opening the account, you will receive a username and temporary password for online banking, either printed or via SMS. Go home and log in to change your password to something you will remember. Most banks' online platforms have an English-language option.
International transfers and foreign exchange limits
Once your account is open, you can receive money from abroad, but China's foreign exchange controls mean there are limits and requirements. The current annual limit for individuals is $50,000 USD equivalent per person per year for outbound transfers (money leaving China). Inbound transfers have no hard limit, but large deposits may trigger reporting requirements.
To send money out of China or receive a large transfer in, you will need to provide documentation: proof of the source of funds (a salary slip, invoice, or contract), the purpose of the transfer (salary, tuition, business payment), and sometimes a tax certificate. The bank will file a report with China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). This is routine and not a problem if your transfer is legitimate, but it adds one to three business days to the process.
Transfers between your Chinese account and a foreign account typically take three to five business days and cost 50–150 RMB in fees, depending on the bank and the amount. Exchange rates are set by the bank and are usually close to the mid-market rate, but you will lose a small percentage to the spread.
Fees, minimum balances, and account maintenance
Most Chinese banks charge no monthly maintenance fee for a basic savings account, and there is usually no minimum balance requirement. However, if your account sits dormant (no deposits or withdrawals) for more than two years, the bank may freeze it. If you are leaving China, close the account before you go or ask the bank how to keep it active remotely.
Debit card usage is free for withdrawals at your bank's ATMs. Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs cost 2–4 RMB per transaction. Transfers between accounts at the same bank are free; transfers to other banks cost 1–5 RMB depending on the amount. International wire transfers cost 50–150 RMB plus the exchange rate spread.
Some banks offer higher interest rates on savings accounts if you maintain a minimum balance (often 10,000 RMB or more), but the rates are low—typically 0.3 to 1.5 percent annually. Unless you are planning to keep a large sum in China long-term, the difference is negligible.
What to do if a bank refuses you
If your first choice bank turns you away, try a different branch of the same bank or a different bank entirely. Policies vary, and a branch in a business district or expat neighborhood is more likely to accept you than one in a residential area. If you are on a tourist visa and every bank refuses, you have two options: wait until you have a residence permit, or ask your employer or school to help you open an account under their sponsorship (some companies have corporate banking relationships that can override normal rules).
If you are in a small city and no bank will open an account for you, consider opening an account at a bank in a larger city nearby and managing it remotely. Once the account is open, you can use ATMs and online banking from anywhere in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account on a tourist visa?
Most banks will not open a full account on a tourist visa. Some branches may offer a basic savings account with restrictions on transfers and withdrawals, but you will likely be asked to close it when your visa expires. If you are staying longer than 30 days, it is worth getting a residence permit first.
Do I need a Chinese ID number to open an account?
No. You use your passport number instead. The bank will ask for your passport number on the application form, and that becomes your account identifier in their system. You do not need a Chinese national ID (身份证) or a residence permit number, though having a residence permit makes the process smoother.
Can someone else open an account on my behalf?
No. Banks require the account holder to be present in person with valid ID. You cannot open an account by mail, email, or through a representative. If you are unable to visit a branch, ask your employer or school whether they can arrange a time when a staff member can accompany you.
What happens to my account if I leave China?
Your account remains open and active. You can continue to use it to receive transfers from abroad and to send money out (subject to the annual $50,000 limit). You can manage it entirely online and via ATM. If you do not plan to use it again, close it in person or contact the bank to close it remotely; otherwise, it will eventually be frozen if dormant for two years.
Can I open multiple accounts at different banks?
Yes. There is no rule against opening accounts at several banks. Many foreigners do this to compare fees, access different ATM networks, or keep money separate for different purposes. Each account is independent and subject to the same foreign exchange limits.