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UK bank account until I can open HK bank account? Best method?

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Posts
    18

    Lightbulb UK bank account until I can open HK bank account? Best method?

    Hi.

    I am moving to HK in a few weeks and I note it will take me quite some time to be able to open up a HK bank account given the service for obtaining an ID card is temporarily shut due to covid...

    That being so, I am looking for the best way of banking until then...my partner has a HK bank account so I could transfer some money to him, but obviously this comes with a fee each time. Are there any recommendations for the best means? Monzo / Revolut card? Some other transfer service?

    Thank you!


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    6,714
    Original Post Deleted

    It is 2020.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    6,714
    Original Post Deleted
    But normal people just wire GBP directly.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    香港特别行政区
    Posts
    2,841
    Quote Originally Posted by ghk:
    Hi.

    I am moving to HK in a few weeks and I note it will take me quite some time to be able to open up a HK bank account given the service for obtaining an ID card is temporarily shut due to covid...

    That being so, I am looking for the best way of banking until then...my partner has a HK bank account so I could transfer some money to him, but obviously this comes with a fee each time. Are there any recommendations for the best means? Monzo / Revolut card? Some other transfer service?

    Thank you!
    You don't need HKID to open a bank account. Just some proof that you are actually moving here is sufficient e.g. offer of employment.

    Saying that, when I first arrived I just transferred HK$50k to a local friend using TransferWise and asked them to withdraw the cash.

  5. #5

    Exclamation

    You don't need a Hong Kong ID. Passport and address proof works as well. Basically, if you come in on a work visa, you have an employment contract, and an address proof for a serviced residence or a rented flat then you can open a bank account immediately.

    We did it when we arrived in Hong Kong 14 years ago and opened a bank account the same day we arrived.

    Once you have an account you can transfer money from your UK bank account via TransferWise. Alternatively, you can tell your UK bank that you want your daily international ATM limit cranked to max and extract money using that. This may not be the cheapest way, but it's quick way if you want cash in hand on arrival.


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Beautiful Britain
    Posts
    2,089

    I’d just transfer some uk pounds to your partner and get them to give you HKDcash. Or....just get them to give you some cash without transferring any. See how committed they are!

    British91 likes this.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    182

    Get Halifax Clarity credit card and use it to withdraw cash in HK. Not all ATMs will work though, Citi works for sure. To avoid paying any interest rates, repay full amount on the day of withdrawal. Since that card has 0 day grace period.
    I did that few months in HK when just moved, worked just fine.