How to Open an International Bank Account Overseas

HSBC SG
International services
How to open an overseas account

Why open an overseas account with us?

Manage your money easily across borders and make the most of your finances, wherever you are.

Open another account in over 30 destinations, from within or outside Singapore
Settle in with a credit card in your new destination
Manage your global accounts from one place online, and make transfers between them with no HSBC fees[@sg-gmt-other-bank-fees]
Enjoy value-added services from our partners, from tax solutions and relocation support to special offers worldwide

1. Choose your destination

Select your current location and where you'd like to open an account. We can help you open an account in more than 30 countries and regions worldwide.

2. Check your eligibility

You can apply if you're at least 18 years old and have a valid reason for opening an account. There may be different requirements depending on where you're opening an account.

3. Start your application

If you’re a new customer, you can apply online using EasyID. You can also apply by phone appointment with our International Banking Centre.

Things to know

Where you can open an account

You can apply for an HSBC overseas account in the following destinations:

Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Canada, China, Egypt, Expat offshore (Jersey), France, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam.

In some locations, you may need to visit a local branch to open your account.

Ready to open your account overseas?

Simply select your current location and where you'd like to open your account. Then we'll walk you through the best way to apply and the steps you'll need to take.

Get started to open an HSBC overseas account This link will open in a new window

Frequently asked questions

Depending on where you're applying for an account, we might ask you for:

your employment, income and tax details
valid proof of identity, such as your passport, driving license or national ID
proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill
additional documents, subject to qualification status, local laws and regulations

If you're applying for a joint account, you'll need to provide details for both applicants.

It's free to open an account overseas if you're an HSBC One, Global Private Banking, Premier or Premier Elite customer. You also won't need to pay any annual account and monthly maintenance fees.

For staff or phone-assisted account opening, certain charges may apply. A monthly fee may also apply to your account if you’re unable to maintain the eligibility criteria. Your Relationship Manager or International Banking Centre case manager will let you know if any fees apply.

To waive the account opening and monthly fees, you'll either need to:

maintain a Total Relationship Balance in at least one market, if you're new to HSBC, or
maintain monthly minimum deposits, investments, or an HSBC mortgage.

The minimum Total Relationship Balance and other account opening requirements vary by market. Visit your local HSBC website for more details.

It takes about 14 days once you submit your application to open an account overseas. It may be faster in some markets if you apply online. During this time, we'll ask you to provide all the documents and have them verified.

Check that your personal and contact information is up to date before you apply. If anything needs updating once you've started, you'll need to start your application again. This and other things that might be out of our control, like lots of applications or time differences, could increase the time it takes to open your account.

Why Singapore is a great place to live and invest in

See what makes the Lion City an attractive destination for expatriates, investors and entrepreneurs alike.

How to open an account in Singapore

If you've just arrived, or you're looking to bank in Singapore, see how we can help.

HSBC Premier

Get tailored wealth management services and banking support for you and your loved ones, wherever you are in the world.

Get up to SGD10,437 as a welcome gift when you join HSBC Premier.

Transferring money overseas from Singapore

How you transfer money will depend on the purpose and your needs. These factors may help you decide.

Important information

Overseas mortgages and overseas account opening applications will be processed by overseas HSBC group entities, and will be subject to the approval of the overseas HSBC group entity where the property or account is located.
You may wish to consider opening an HSBC Singapore account first for a smooth international account opening journey.
If you hold HSBC Premier or Premier Elite status in another market, you will automatically be eligible for HSBC Premier in Singapore. Your Relationship Manager will help you open your account.
Credit card-only customers are not eligible for overseas account applications. Please open an HSBC Singapore bank account first.

Deposit Insurance Scheme

Singapore dollar deposits of non-bank depositors are insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation, for up to SGD75,000 in aggregate per depositor per Scheme member by law. Foreign currency deposits, dual currency investments, structured deposits and other investment products are not insured.

How to open an overseas account

Why open an overseas account with us?

How to apply for an overseas account