What Documents Are Required to Open a Corporate Bank Account in China?

To open a corporate bank account in China, foreign-invested enterprises must submit a set of 9 core documents, though the exact count can vary from 8 to 15 depending on the bank, the company type, and the city. These documents range from the 营业执照 (Business License, yíngyè zhízhào) to the legal representative’s passport and company seal registration. Missing even one item can delay the process by weeks—over 60% of initial applications are rejected due to incomplete documentation, according to 2023 industry data from Shanghai’s banking industry association.

For reference, here are four key numbers that underline the importance of document preparation:

• 93% of Chinese banks require the 原件 (original documents, yuánjiàn) of the business license; photocopies are rarely accepted.
• 5–10 business days is the typical processing time once all documents are correctly submitted.
• 0–50,000 RMB is the range of minimum initial deposit required—some banks (e.g., HSBC) require a deposit, while local Chinese banks may waive it.
• 70% of banks demand the legal representative’s physical presence for signature verification, even if a power of attorney has been notarized.

Core Documents for Corporate Account Opening

The following documents are universally required by all major banks in China, including both local banks like 中国银行 (Bank of China, Zhōngguó Yínháng) and foreign banks like 汇丰银行 (HSBC, Huìfēng Yínháng). Each must be in Chinese or accompanied by a certified Chinese translation if originally issued in another language.

1. Business License (营业执照, yíngyè zhízhào) — 原件 (original, yuánjiàn) and one copy. The license must include the unified social credit code (统一社会信用代码, tǒngyī shèhuì xìnyòng dàimǎ).
2. Company Seal Registration Certificate (刻章登记证, kèzhāng dēngjì zhèng) — Proof that the company’s seals (公, contractual, financial) are legally registered with the Public Security Bureau.
3. Articles of Association (公司章程, gōngsī zhāngchéng) — Stamped and sealed by all shareholders. For foreign-invested enterprises, this must be notarized in the home country if the company is newly established.
4. Legal Representative’s Passport (法定代表人护照, fǎdìng dàibiǎo rén hùzhào) — Original plus a copy. If the legal rep is a foreign national, the passport must have a valid Chinese visa or residence permit.
5. Power of Attorney (授权委托书, shòuquán wěituō shū) — Required if someone other than the legal representative will handle the bank account opening process. Must be notarized.
6. Financial Controller’s ID (财务负责人身份证, cáiwù fùzérén shēnfènzhèng) — Chinese ID or passport of the person designated as the financial controller.
7. Shareholder Structure Chart (股东结构图, gǔdōng jiégòu tú) — For foreign-invested enterprises, a clear breakdown of ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs).
8. Lease Agreement for Registered Address (租赁合同, zūlìn hétong) — Proof of the physical business address matching the business license.
9. Bank Account Application Form (开户申请表, kāihù shēnqǐng biǎo) — Provided by the bank and signed by the legal representative or authorized person.

Supplementary Documents by Bank Type and Location

While the core list above covers most situations, additional documents may be required based on the bank’s internal policies and the specific city or special zone where the company is registered. For example, banks in 上海自贸区 (Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Shànghǎi Zìmào Qū) often ask for a 自贸区注册证明 (Free Trade Zone Registration Certificate, zìmào qū zhùcè zhèngmíng). Similarly, 中国建设银行 (China Construction Bank, Zhōngguó Jiànshè Yínháng) in Beijing may request the company’s 纳税登记证 (Tax Registration Certificate, nàshuì dēngjì zhèng) even though it is no longer a separate document in most cities.

Foreign banks such as 德意志银行 (Deutsche Bank, Déyìzhì Yínháng) usually require the 母公司担保函 (Parent Company Guarantee Letter, mǔgōngsī dānbǎo hán) if the Chinese entity is a subsidiary. On the other hand, local banks like 招商银行 (China Merchants Bank, Zhāoshāng Yínháng) may accept a simpler set but demand that the company has a pre-existing relationship with the bank, such as a payroll account.

Decision Framework: If your company is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) with a single shareholder, choose a bank that accepts shareholder structure charts in English (e.g., HSBC, Standard Chartered). If your company is a joint venture (合资企业, hézī qǐyè) with multiple Chinese and foreign partners, choose a local bank like Bank of China that has experience handling multi-party ownership documents and can coordinate the seal requirements for each partner.

Document Preparation and Common Mistakes

Preparing documents correctly is often the slowest part of opening a corporate bank account. Here are three common pitfalls that foreign-invested enterprises face:

NEXT STEPS

To ensure your corporate bank account opening proceeds smoothly, follow these three recommendations:

1. Complete a document readiness review. Before visiting any bank, have your documents checked by a local expert. Use our Document Checklist & Review Service to identify gaps and avoid rejections.
2. Choose the right bank for your company profile. Different banks have different appetites for foreign-invested enterprises. Read our comparison Best Bank for WFOE: Local vs. Foreign Comparison to match your company’s needs.
3. Plan for physical presence. Since 70% of banks require the legal representative to be present, coordinate travel and visa arrangements early. For remote handling, see our guide on Using Power of Attorney for Chinese Bank Accounts.

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