Create local bank account from outside of Singapore?

[johan44]

Hi!
I wonder if anyone attempted and had any success in creating a bank account in Singapore without being physically present?
It seems to be completely impossible but just throwing it out here anyway.
I am employed in Sg but will work in my home country for a while before moving over.
I am not a citizen or a PR but I have an in-principle approval letter for work pass.

[Strong Eagle]

You generally have to be here to sign the signature cards in front of a bank officer, you can't just mail them in.

Someone, in another post, mentioned that thru HSBC they were able to open an account remotely but I know nothing more.

[johan44]

Thanks!
I've been in touch with them already but had no success so I guess I'm gonna have to wait until I'm there or find some other solution for access to my first salary.

[Strong Eagle]

You might contact Citibank, international banking, and see if they could fix you up. Fees are outrageous IMHO, but might get what you want.

[SingAust]

As mentioned above HSBC can open an account, I opened an HSBC account from Australia prior to moving to Singapore - but it did cost me $$. You need to contact their international banking centre. Hope this helps.

[ottawan]

I think that was me that Strong Eagle refers to regarding HSBC.

Yes, we were able to open a Sing account with HSBC before arriving. This was through their Premier service and was fee free. However, it took several weeks longer than it should have. We were not able to open a Singapore credit card with them remotely - it is possible according to HSBC global rules, but some combination of local government regulation and HSBC Singapore policies actually makes it not work.

By the way, we have found that cheques are filled in differently in Singapore than in Canada where we came from. The following site was helpful to figuring it out:

http://www.moneysense.gov.sg/resource/p ... 0FINAL.pdf