[emptystring]

actually, i went to HSBC today (in Hong Kong) and asked about opening a powervantage account with my US passport.

things i need:
a) passport
b) proof of residence IN AMERICA for permanent address
c) letter of introduction/approval of contract from the company that i will be working for, as well as the address of the company, which will be used for my mailing address in case the bank wants to send me anything.

and then when i get my HKID, i can (though not required) change the account information so it will display my ID# instead of my passport #.

i assume it's the same stuff for all the accounts...

- bernard

[negresco]

what if your not going to work there?I dont have a letter of introduction or anything. I dont plan to work there, will I be able to open?

[discobay]

Yes I would like to see if you can open an account with just a passport and proof of address in another country.

[PDLM]

My guess is that you could get an account with just a passport and proof of overseas address (and some cash to deposit). But I'd be very surprised if you could get a credit card or any overdraft facility without some proof of income in HK. I certainly know someone who just jetted in for a few days from Japan and opened a simple chequing account with Citibank.

[frenchfarangbkk]

Originally Posted by emptystring

actually, i went to HSBC today (in Hong Kong) and asked about opening a powervantage account with my US passport.

things i need:
a) passport
b) proof of residence IN AMERICA for permanent address
c) letter of introduction/approval of contract from the company that i will be working for, as well as the address of the company, which will be used for my mailing address in case the bank wants to send me anything.

and then when i get my HKID, i can (though not required) change the account information so it will display my ID# instead of my passport #.

i assume it's the same stuff for all the accounts...

- bernard

So why some othe people could open one with just a passport? Does it only depend on the branch where you go, as in Thailand?!

[PDLM]

The US is a special case because they impose their laws and regulations globally. So if you are known by the bank to be a US citizen they will handle you slightly differently. For people from free countries this is not an issue.