Originally Posted by
moondog
You didn't ask me, but allow me to opine:
1. To fund your account, simply withdraw money from the ATM using your foreign account; credit cards don't work
2. IME, the individual branch is more important than the bank company itself; if they want the business, and their staff likes you, you have a decent shot of pulling things off
3. As for docs, every bank is different, but I've always been asked to show my passport/visa, and a temporary residence permit (that most hotels can print out for you upon request). Having a verified local cell phone is also useful, and plans now cost as little as Y8 per month
Yes, agree with a lot of what [MENTION=4346]moondog[/MENTION] says above. I get the impression it was much more about the individual staff being prepared to do something out of the ordinary and your Chinese skills or your Chinese friend being able to encourage the staff to take this on. I did the account opening on Sunday, and because of CNY the branch was especially quiet and I think the challenge gave them something to get their teeth into.
I funded the account with Cash. And in terms of documentation it was passport, including tourist visa (2 year visa, few months remaining, three entry stamps against that visal, UK driving licence which also has my UK address, local SIM card number. I also had to sign a letter describing my personal circumstances but there was no evidence of this. I also happened to have a business card for my job back in the UK but I don't think this was essential. I provided a Chinese address (a private residence of my friend) which is also where I am staying rather than a hotel, they didn't ask to see the police registration document to say I am registered as staying there.
A delay was caused by them setting the account name up as Firstname Surname which they processed fully but was rejected by Head Office as they missed out my middle name which to be fair I did suggest they needed. Redo the one A4 sheet and the signed letter, and it all went through in about 30mins.
When you do the link with WeChat Pay and AliPay your name has to exactly match the name at the bank. Hint: use capitals!