Opening a Hong Kong Stock Account Without a HK Address or Bank Card

For mainland Chinese investors, the idea of trading Hong Kong stocks used to involve a trip across the border, a stack of documents, and a Hong Kong bank account. That has changed considerably over the past few years. Several licensed brokers now offer fully online account opening to mainland residents, requiring nothing more than a Chinese ID card and a smartphone.

But "zero barrier" does not mean "zero differences." Each broker has its own requirements for identity verification, minimum deposits, fee structures, and the range of services available to mainland clients. This guide compares the practical options and walks through what the process actually looks like.

What "Zero Barrier" Actually Means

When brokers advertise zero-barrier account opening for mainland investors, they typically mean three things:

• No Hong Kong address required. You can use your mainland residential address for registration.
• No Hong Kong bank card required for account opening. Some brokers still prefer HK bank transfers for funding, but the account itself can be opened without one.
• Online KYC (Know Your Customer). Identity verification is completed remotely -- usually through a combination of ID photo upload, facial recognition, and a short video call or selfie check.

What it does not mean is that everything works identically to a domestic A-share account. Funding the account, currency conversion, and certain product access (like IPO subscription and margin trading) may still involve extra steps depending on which broker you choose.

Broker Comparison

We looked at six brokers that currently accept mainland Chinese ID holders for remote account opening. All are licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).

Broker	Min. Deposit	ID Requirements	HK Bank Needed?	IPO Subscription	HK Stock Commission	Notable Feature
Futu (富途)	None	Mainland ID card	No (supports Wise, FPS, bank transfer)	Yes	0.03% (min HK$3) + HK$15 platform fee	Free Level 2 data; largest retail user base
Longbridge (长桥)	None	Mainland ID card	No (supports multiple funding methods)	Yes	0.03% (min HK$3) + HK$15 platform fee	Clean interface; strong IPO tools
Tiger Brokers (老虎)	None	Mainland ID card	No	Yes	0.06% (min HK$15) + HK$15 platform fee	Multi-market access (US, HK, SG, AU)
ZA International	None	Mainland ID card	No (ZA Bank integration)	Yes	0.03% (min HK$3)	Promotion until 2026-03-25 -- see below
uSMART	None	Mainland ID card	No	Yes	0.03% (min HK$3)	Dark pool trading; AI-assisted features
IBKR (Interactive Brokers)	None	Mainland ID + passport	No	Limited (via IBKR HK entity)	0.08% (min HK$18)	Institutional-grade platform; global markets

Notes on the table:

• Commissions listed are headline rates. Actual costs include exchange levies (stamp duty, SFC levy, CCASS fee) which typically add around 0.11% to each trade. See our broker comparison page for a detailed fee breakdown.
• "HK Bank Needed?" refers to account opening only. For funding, some methods (like direct bank transfer from mainland banks) may incur additional fees or delays compared to HK bank transfers.
• Interactive Brokers generally requires a passport in addition to a mainland ID card, making it slightly more involved than the other options.

ZA International Promotion (Ending 2026-03-25)

ZA International, the securities arm of ZA Bank (one of Hong Kong's eight licensed virtual banks), is currently running a new-client promotion with bonus rewards for account opening and initial deposits. The promotion ends on March 25, 2026. If you have been considering opening a HK stock account, this creates a practical incentive to act before the deadline. Check ZA International's official website for the latest terms -- promotional conditions can change, and specific reward tiers depend on deposit amounts.

How to Choose the Right Broker

There is no single "correct" choice. The right broker depends on what you actually need:

If you primarily want to trade HK stocks at low cost: Futu, Longbridge, and uSMART all offer commission rates around 0.03% with relatively low minimums. The differences come down to platform preference and ancillary features.

If you want multi-market access from one account: Tiger Brokers and Interactive Brokers provide access to US, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other markets. This matters if you plan to trade beyond HKEX.

If IPO subscription is your main goal: Futu and Longbridge have the most developed IPO subscription tools, including margin financing for IPO applications. Our mainland investor IPO guide covers the mechanics in detail.

If you want the simplest funding path: ZA International integrates directly with ZA Bank, which itself accepts mainland ID holders for remote account opening. This creates a relatively seamless funding chain without needing a traditional HK bank account or third-party transfer services.

Honest trade-offs to consider:

• Futu has the largest community and best free data, but the platform fee adds up on small frequent trades.
• Longbridge is newer and less established, with a smaller user base -- meaning less community discussion and fewer user-generated insights.
• Tiger Brokers' commission is higher than Futu or Longbridge for HK stocks specifically.
• ZA International is still building out its platform features; the trading tools are not as mature as Futu's.
• uSMART's dark pool feature is interesting for larger orders but irrelevant for most retail investors.
• Interactive Brokers has the steepest learning curve and requires a passport, which not all mainland investors have ready.

Step-by-Step: Opening an Account (General Flow)

While each broker's interface differs, the overall process follows a similar pattern:

Step 1: Download the App and Register

Download the broker's official app from the App Store or your preferred Android store. Register with your phone number or email. Mainland phone numbers (+86) are accepted by all brokers listed above.

Step 2: Start KYC Verification

You will be prompted to complete identity verification. Prepare:

• Mainland Chinese ID card (front and back photos)
• A selfie or short video for facial recognition matching
• Proof of address -- most online brokers accept your mainland address; some may ask for a utility bill or bank statement
• Tax identification -- your mainland ID number serves as your tax ID in most cases

Step 3: Answer Suitability Questions

Hong Kong securities regulations require brokers to assess your investment knowledge and risk tolerance. Expect questions about your trading experience, income range, and investment objectives. Answer honestly -- these determine what products you can access initially.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

Processing times vary:

• Futu, Longbridge, Tiger: Usually within 1-2 business days, sometimes same-day.
• ZA International: Typically 1-3 business days.
• Interactive Brokers: Can take 3-5 business days due to more rigorous compliance checks.

Step 5: Fund Your Account

This is where the actual friction often appears. Options typically include:

• Wire transfer from a mainland bank with foreign currency exchange quota (subject to the annual USD 50,000 equivalent limit)
• Wise or similar cross-border transfer services
• Hong Kong bank account transfer (if you have one)
• ZA Bank transfer (for ZA International users)

For a detailed comparison of funding methods when you do not have a HK bank card, see our guide: IPO subscription without a HK bank card.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Assuming "zero deposit" means free. Even brokers with no minimum deposit still charge commissions, platform fees, and exchange levies. A round-trip trade on a HK$10,000 position costs roughly HK$30-50 in total fees at the cheapest brokers.

2. Ignoring funding time. If you are opening an account specifically for an upcoming IPO, start the process at least two weeks early. Account approval plus initial funding can easily take 5-10 business days combined.

3. Not checking product access restrictions. Some brokers restrict margin trading, options, or certain product types for mainland ID holders until additional verification is completed. Ask before assuming.

4. Currency conversion costs. When funding from a mainland bank in RMB, you will pay a spread on the CNY-HKD conversion. This is typically 0.3-0.8% depending on your bank and method. It is a hidden cost that many investors overlook.

5. Using unofficial channels for funding. Stick to regulated transfer methods. Underground money exchange services (地下钱庄) carry legal risks and can result in account freezing.

FAQ

Q: Can I open multiple broker accounts simultaneously?

Yes. There is no regulatory limit on how many HK stock accounts a mainland investor can hold. Some experienced IPO subscribers maintain accounts at 3-5 brokers to increase their allocation chances. Our multi-account strategy guide explains the logic.

Q: Will my account be affected by mainland regulatory changes?

Regulatory risk is real but hard to predict. Over the past several years, mainland authorities have generally tolerated individual investors opening offshore brokerage accounts for personal investment, provided funds are transferred through legitimate channels within the annual quota. However, policies can shift, and this is not something any broker can guarantee.

Q: Do I need to report my HK stock holdings or gains to mainland tax authorities?

Technically, mainland tax residents are required to report worldwide income including offshore investment gains. In practice, enforcement has been inconsistent. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation -- this is not an area where guessing is advisable.

Bottom Line

Opening a Hong Kong stock account as a mainland investor is genuinely easier than it was five years ago. The technology barriers are mostly gone -- online KYC, mobile-first platforms, and multiple funding channels have made the process accessible from anywhere.

The remaining friction is mostly on the funding side. If you do not already have a Hong Kong bank account, budget extra time and expect some conversion costs. And while several brokers offer similar headline rates, the total experience -- platform quality, IPO tools, customer support in Mandarin, and product range -- varies meaningfully.

Start with one broker that matches your primary use case, fund it with a modest amount, and test the platform before committing larger capital. You can always open additional accounts later.

For a side-by-side comparison of all brokers we track, visit the LowRiskTradeSmart broker comparison page.