After waiting for over one month, I was able to open a bank account in Hong Kong 🙃
Alright, here’s the story—
I’m back in Hong Kong for three months (I am born and raised in the US and I have a HKID that is non-permanent/no three stars) for pre-doctoral dissertation activities and decided to open a bank account at HSBC. On 3 July, I went to the Tsuen Wan West branch to start the process (I have prior knowledge with trying to open a bank account at Hang Sang back in 2024, and they told me I need to stay for a longer time in order to open an account), and filled out a W9 form. I received an email on 8 July telling me to fill out a W9 and some FACTA forms (if applicable, according to the email). I went bank to the same branch to follow up, and showed the same service people who helped me, and they told me my case needed longer time to process bc I have a US passport. So I waited, and in the email I received on 8 July, it stated that I had until 27 July to complete the forms in person.
I was in the Hung Hom area on 27 July, so I decided to drop by the Hung Hom branch. I actually got to sit down with someone to follow up on my application, and they tried to call the Tsuen Wan West branch three times before deciding to assist me by printing out another W9 form to complete and the person assisting me also told me to fill out FACTA Forms A and B, and scanned my passport photo page and HKID. Within a week after helping me, I received a follow up email inviting me to open an account online. I went back to the Hung Hom branch to finish up the details and deposited the cash I had on hand (finally)!
During the week from resubmitting forms and waiting for a follow up email inviting me to open an account online, I did receive a rejection email on 30 July. The person who helped me at the Hung Hom branch called me last week on 30 July to clarify that my application was still being reviewed because I turned in everything by the deadline.
If you’re an overseas born Chinese like me from the US, I totally recommend going to the HSBC Hung Hom branch. They’re really great and super nice. I am so grateful for them!! Had I worked from them since initiating this process, I would had probably already had a bank account in July.
Edited: Removed name of the person who assisted me