This article explains which documents to prepare when you open an Airwallex account for a business registered in Hong Kong, China as a limited company, sole proprietorship or partnership. It also covers the file requirements and what to do once your documents are ready. For general account-opening eligibility, see Eligibility to open an account and Eligible Countries and Territories.

• Confirm that your business is registered in Hong Kong, China as a limited company, sole proprietorship or partnership. This article does not list documents for other business structures, such as branches of foreign companies, or for businesses registered in other countries or regions. If that applies to you, see Eligible Countries and Territories, or contact Airwallex support through Kai in the Airwallex webapp.

• Identify every UBO and Authorised Person for your business. You need an identification document for each of them (see "Identification documents").

• Make sure you can provide clear digital copies of your documents that meet the "File requirements".

Choose the list that matches your business structure.

Enter your business name in the application. Airwallex looks up your business in reliable business records. If a match is found, your entity details are pre-filled and you confirm them on the page.

If no record is found, Airwallex may ask you to submit these business documents:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Business Registration Certificate

• Electronic Extract of Information on the Business Register

• Partnership agreement or deed*

• Business Registration Certificate

• Application of business registration - Form 1(c)

*The agreement or deed must clearly show each partner's capital contribution to the partnership, as a percentage. If you do not have one, you can use the template below.

Download the partnership disclosure and disclosure from template

Whatever your business structure, provide a valid identification document for every UBO and Authorised Person so that Airwallex can complete verification.

• A UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) is an individual who:

  • holds 25% or more of the share capital; or

  • exercises 25% or more of the voting rights; or

  • exercises ultimate control over the management of the business.

• An Authorised Person is an individual who is authorised to act on behalf of the business.

Provide an image or scanned copy of a government-issued, official photo ID, such as:

• Passport

• National ID

• Driver licence

• Another valid government-issued ID with a photo

Photo requirements:

• Keep the image clear, with all edges visible, and with no obstruction, reflection or watermark.

• Lay the document flat and photograph it straight on, in a well-lit place.

Document-specific rules:

• Chinese citizens: only a physical Chinese Resident Identity Card is accepted. Provide both the front and the back.

• Hong Kong Identity Card: if your card is non-permanent, provide your passport instead.

Provide this document if Airwallex cannot fully identify your ownership structure from reliable sources. Provide your most recent shareholder register or ownership chart (a diagram of your shareholding structure). It must:

• State the full legal name and shareholding percentage of each UBO.

• State the registration country and shareholding percentage of each intermediary shareholding entity.

• If there are no individual UBOs, say so in the ownership chart and provide the details of the individual who exercises ultimate control over the management of the business.

• Be signed and dated by a director, with the director's printed name. Handwritten and electronic signatures are both accepted.

• Have been issued within the past 12 months. After it is signed, it cannot be altered or edited.

Download an example ownership chart

If you are onboarding a group holding company, also state the registration country and shareholding percentage of each subsidiary.

Download an example ownership chart for a group holding company

Provide an authorisation letter if the Authorised Person is neither a director nor a  UBO. A director must sign the letter to show that the Authorised Person has authority to act on behalf of the business.

Choose the template that matches your situation:

• Onboarding several entities registered in different countries or regions at the same time: use the Global Authorisation Letter instead of a separate country- or region-specific template for each entity.

Download the Global authorisation letter template

• Channel partners opening an account on behalf of a client: use the channel partner template instead.

Download the authorisation letter template for channel partners

Complete the applicable questionnaire if your business is engaged in one of these activities:

• Live streaming

• Gaming

• Online marketplace

• Financial institution

• Charity, NGO, NPO or society

• Auction-related activities

• Family offices

Each file must be:

• Clear and readable.

• No larger than 20MB.

• In PDF, Word, JPG, JPEG, PNG or BMP format.

File samples:

The samples below show what each document looks like. The requirements above apply whether or not your document looks the same.

Certificate of Incorporation

 

Business Registration Certificate

 

Electronic Extract of Information on the Business Register

 

Application of business registration - Form 1(c)

 

Passport

 

National ID - HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD

 

National ID - Chinese Resident Identity Card

 

Driver License - Australian Driver Licence

 

 

• Gather the documents for your business structure and an identification document for each UBO and Authorised Person.

• Prepare any extra documents that apply to you: the ownership structure document, an authorisation letter, or a business questionnaire.

• Check each file against "File requirements".

• Start your application by following the steps in "How to apply" in Eligibility to open an account. Upload your documents when the application asks for them.

Outcome: After you submit all required business information, processing takes 1–3 business days, although this can vary with the complexity of your application. The onboarding team may contact you at your sign-up email address to request more information or documents, so check your email for messages about your application. For details, see How long will my application take to process?

Airwallex may ask for additional documents depending on your business. This list is not exhaustive.

Airwallex may ask you to submit your Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate. Upload clear copies that meet the "File requirements".

Provide your passport instead.

Check that the image is clear, shows all edges, and has no obstruction, reflection or watermark. If you are a Chinese citizen, provide both sides of a physical Chinese Resident Identity Card. If the problem continues, contact Airwallex support through Kai in the Airwallex webapp.

Check that it shows each UBO's full legal name and shareholding percentage, is signed and dated by a director with their printed name, was issued within the past 12 months, and has not been altered after signing.

Provide an authorisation letter signed by a director. Use the template that matches your situation (see "Authorisation letter").

Check that the file is no larger than 20MB and is in PDF, Word, JPG, JPEG, PNG or BMP format.