[pinocchio]

Will be transferring to HK next month.
I'm planning to invest in HK stocks.
Are foreign nationals allowed to trade?
Where can I transact? Is there a list of stockbrokerage firms? How much commission do they charge? What forms are needed to start with?

tnx very much

[PDLM]

Yes. Most of the major banks have an online trading facility as part of their online banking service. For simplicity, trading through the bank you bank with is the most convenient. Commissions vary depending on your status with the bank, the current deal and so on, but with HSBC, for example, they start from around 0.25% (plus various small things like stamp duty, and other minor charges). I think just one extra form (or even just a tick box on the account setup form) is all you need to get started with your bank.

Note that the above doesn't apply if you are a US citizen - most banks refuse to do investment business with them because of the onerous reporting requirements imposed by the US Government.

[freeier]

and also if you work witha financial institution.
SFA has quite a strict rule on that and you have to fulfill all the documentation requirement to set up an investment account with a bank if you are working in another.

[penguin]

As surprising as it seems, I just arrived in HK and have been looking at my US (online) brokerage for that information. Their website states that you can invest in different markets and that you can invest from anywhere in the world (being they are online). I do not know how much capital need to open this type of account, because I have had an small investment account with them for almost 2 years, but I'm sure you can find probably find that info on the website. The name of the company is Interactive Brokers, you might just want to google them and get the information off of their website. Hope this helps.

Good luck in your investments, wherever you go!

[pinocchio]

Originally Posted by freeier

and also if you work witha financial institution.
SFA has quite a strict rule on that and you have to fulfill all the documentation requirement to set up an investment account with a bank if you are working in another.

actually i will be working in an offshore bank there. will there be strict restrictions for one working in the financial services industry to invest in stocks?

[freeier]

there might be. especially if you need licensing by HKMA or SFA.
your company would advise you.

[KnowItAll]

Originally Posted by pinocchio

actually i will be working in an offshore bank there. will there be strict restrictions for one working in the financial services industry to invest in stocks?

Best to check with your compliance department.

[texasaxel]

Originally Posted by penguin

As surprising as it seems, I just arrived in HK and have been looking at my US (online) brokerage for that information. Their website states that you can invest in different markets and that you can invest from anywhere in the world (being they are online). I do not know how much capital need to open this type of account, because I have had an small investment account with them for almost 2 years, but I'm sure you can find probably find that info on the website. The name of the company is Interactive Brokers, you might just want to google them and get the information off of their website. Hope this helps.

Good luck in your investments, wherever you go!

For US citizens overseas, your option (invest via a US on-line broker while you're based overseas) is the recommended way to go about it. US brokers already have processes in place to report capital gains with the IRS and thus, it does not really matter to them where in the world the (US citizen) account holder is based. Note: some brokers charge extra fees to send paper statements to overseas addresses - switch to paperless option to avoid those charges.

The reason many non-US financial institutions do not allow US citizens to open investment accounts with them is because they would have to put in processes to handle US-specific reporting requirements for tax purposes: The US is one of very few countries that requires its citizens to file tax returns (and pay taxes) in the US no matter where they live in the world and thus, international banks have to report to the IRS capital gains and dividends from stock trades made by US citizens. They do not have to do it for citizens of most other countries. Thus, it is easy to understand that they'd rather avoid the hazzle (and cost) associated with this practice and put in internal policies that bar US citizens from opening investment accounts with them. This restriction does not apply to savings / checking accounts or time-deposits.