How to open a Chinese bank account as an international student

You need a Chinese bank account to receive your CSC scholarship stipend. The university will not pay your monthly allowance in cash or to a foreign bank account. Getting this set up is one of the first things you need to do after arriving in China.

When to open your account

Most universities arrange a group bank account opening session for new international students during the first 1-2 weeks of the semester. The international student office coordinates this with a nearby bank branch.

If your university does not organize this, you need to visit a bank branch yourself within the first 2-3 weeks of arrival. Do not delay. Your first stipend payment depends on having an active account.

Which bank to choose

The four major Chinese banks that commonly serve international students:

Recommendation: Go with whichever bank your university recommends. The campus branch (if one exists) will be most familiar with processing international student accounts. Bank of China is the safest default if your university has no preference.

Documents you need

Bring all of these to the bank:

1. Passport (original, not a copy)
2. Student visa or Residence Permit (they may accept the entry stamp with X1 visa initially, but the Residence Permit is preferred)
3. University enrollment certificate or admission letter
4. Chinese phone number (you need this to activate the account and mobile banking)
5. Chinese address (your dormitory address works)

Some banks also ask for:

• A letter from your university confirming you are an enrolled student (the international student office can provide this)
• Your CSC scholarship certificate

The process

1. Go to the bank branch (campus branch if available, otherwise the nearest branch to your university)
2. Take a queue number for “Open Account” (开户)
3. Fill out the application form. Staff may help if there is a language barrier. Some branches have English-speaking staff, but do not count on it
4. Provide biometric verification: photo and fingerprint scan at the counter
5. Set a 6-digit PIN for your debit card
6. The bank issues your debit card on the spot (usually within 30 minutes)
7. Activate mobile banking (the bank staff will walk you through this)

Important: Tell the bank teller that you need to receive scholarship payments from your university. They may need to set specific account parameters to accept institutional transfers.

Activating mobile banking

Chinese bank apps are essential for managing your money:

1. Download the bank’s official app from the Chinese App Store or the bank’s website
2. Register using your bank card number and Chinese phone number
3. Verify your identity (usually SMS code + face recognition)
4. Set up a login password and transaction password

Mobile banking lets you:

• Check your balance and transaction history
• Transfer money to other Chinese bank accounts
• Pay utility bills
• Convert foreign currency (at Bank of China)

Linking your bank account to WeChat Pay and Alipay

After opening your bank account, link it to WeChat Pay and Alipay. This is essential because:

• Almost all daily transactions in China use mobile payment
• University canteens, convenience stores, and taxis accept WeChat Pay/Alipay
• Cash is rarely used in Chinese cities

The process is straightforward but requires:

• Chinese bank account (just opened)
• Chinese phone number
• Your passport (for identity verification in the payment app)

Some international students report difficulties verifying their identity for payment platforms. If you encounter issues, the bank or your university’s international student office can help.

Receiving your CSC stipend

Your university will ask for your bank details (account number and bank name) to set up monthly stipend payments. The process:

1. Submit your bank details to the international student office (usually via a form)
2. The first payment may take 1-2 months to process (universities batch payments)
3. Subsequent payments arrive monthly, usually mid-month
4. The amount matches your degree level: 2,500/3,000/3,500 CNY

If your first stipend is delayed, contact the international student office. Delays are common at the beginning but should normalize by month 2-3.

For full details on what happens after your CSC acceptance, including financial setup and other registration steps, check our detailed guide.

Sending money home

If you need to send money to your home country:

• Bank of China offers international wire transfers (fees: 50-150 CNY per transaction plus exchange rate margin)
• Western Union has branches in some Chinese cities
• Online services like Wise (TransferWise) may work with a Chinese bank account, but availability changes

International transfers from China require documentation (passport, proof of the funds’ source). The process is more bureaucratic than in most countries.

Tips

• Keep your bank card safe. Replacing a lost card takes 1-2 weeks and requires going to the branch in person.
• Write down your account number. You will need it for university forms, payment apps, and money transfers.
• Set up SMS notifications. The bank can send you a text for every transaction (usually 2-3 CNY per month for this service).
• Do not carry large amounts of cash. With mobile payment, you rarely need cash. Keep 200-500 CNY for emergencies.

Once your bank account is set up, your next priority is getting registered with the local police. See our visa, police registration and residence permit guide for the full process. For a day-by-day walkthrough of everything you need to handle in your first week in China, we have that covered too.

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