When I arrived in China, I went to open my bank account within the first week. Although I have been in my hometown for almost one and half a year due to COVID-19, my Chinese bank card is still working. It's not hard to open a bank account in China for international students. Let me answer the questions for you with all I learned in China.
1). Why Do International Students in China Need to Open a Chinese Bank Account?
If you come to China for college study, then having a Chinese bank card is a necessary thing. Only if you have a Chinese bank card, it will be convenient to accept scholarships from university or pay school fees. In the lives of young people in China, the use of cash is getting less and less even no cash in use at all. In most parts of China, electronic payment in both rural and urban areas is very convenient as long as you have a mobile phone with you. In the store, you just need to take out your phone to show your payment code, then you can easily complete the payment. Or you can easily complete the payment by scanning other's money receipt codes with your mobile phone. And if you have been to China, then you will definitely experience how fast and easy online shopping in China is. The premise of enjoying these convenient lives is to have at least one bank card from a Chinese bank.
2). What Do You Need to Bring with You when You Go for a Bank Card?
1. The original and copies of the passport. If you don't have copies, you can usually copy them in the bank but original is necessary.
2. RMB in Cash. I estimate that bring 100 yuan with you to the Chinese bank is enough, which including handling fees and credit fees. In China, only the local money can be used directly to pay. Whether it is the currency of your country, the US dollar, or the British pound, etc., need to be changed to RMB before you can use it. Therefore, before you leave for China, you’d better get some RMB with you first.
3. You need to have your own phone number first. If you haven't got a SIM card bought with your own passport before you go to the bank, then go for a SIM card first, which is necessary when you ask for a Chinese bank account.
4. Admission Notice or other documents which can prove your identity. As the Chinese government regulates bank account more and more severely, the bank will also be careful when giving cards to avoid their cards fall for criminal use. So, it would be better if you could bring some documents which would prove your identity but please be noted that this may not necessarily just a suggestion only.
5. Letter of Introduction from University. First of all, let me clarify that this is not a necessary document for all international students but just for special students. I mention this because I have some friends from several specific nationalities and it is not easy for them to get bank cards in China. Sometimes, banks may ask international students to provide a school introduction or some other paper then they will agree to open them a bank account. So before you leave for the bank, it's better to ask the seniors from your country what documents do you need to prepare and which bank is available for international students.
3). Which Bank in China Should International Students Choose?
The most commonly used Chinese bank cards for international students are cards from Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank, etc. There is usually English-speaking staff in these big banks and their forms will be in English too. Regarding what kind of Chinese bank card to choose, you need to ask your school which bank they suggest or accept. Before you go to the bank, ask your teacher about it then you will know. You can also have several bank cards from different Chinese banks at the same time if you want.
4). Tips for International Students to Open Bank Accounts in China
You'd better go to the bank between Monday and Friday from 9 to 12 am and 2 to 5 pm. Bank staff and their working time are limited, so try to go there earlier to avoid long queues. When you deal with the bank account in China, you'd better always remember your bank card password. And make sure the bank staff opens the service of E-bank for you so you can use it freely with online shopping and payment. In addition, the opening of the SMS service is also recommended so that when there is any amount change in your balance, you will receive a text message in time.
5). Contact Number of the Most Common Chinese Banks:
If you want to ask the information from the Chinese bank without going there by yourself, you can call them and they provide English service in this way.
- Bank of China 中国银行- 95566
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) 工商银行- 95588
- China Construction Bank 建设银行- 95533
- Agricultural Bank of China 农业银行- 95599
- Bank of Communications 交通银行- 95559
- China Merchants Bank 招商银行- 95555
- Industrial Bank 兴业银行- 95561
- Postal Savings Bank of China 中国邮政储蓄银行- 95580
It's not too hard to open a bank account in China so please take it easy. When you really set foot on the journey to China, everything will be solved, and just enjoy the process.
