I. Essential Materials for Account Opening
Required Items:
Valid second-generation ID card (validity period must exceed 3 months)
Real-name authenticated mobile phone number (for receiving verification codes and security notifications)
Supplementary Items for Non-Beijing Residents(Choose One):
Electronic residence permit (can be applied for via "Beijing Pass" APP)
Water, electricity, and gas utility bills from the past 3 months (account name must match ID card)
Registered house rental contract number (can be queried through "Beijing Housing Rental Supervision Platform")
Not Required: Household registration book, work certificate, social security records (banks have no authority to forcibly require these)
According to the "Regulations on the Management of RMB Bank Settlement Accounts" and 2026 Beijing financial supervision practices, banks cannot refuse to open accounts based on "non-local household registration," but may require supplementary verification of actual residence.
II. Account Opening Process (Primarily Online)
Download Official APP
ICBC, China Construction Bank, China Merchants Bank, Bank of China, etc. all support "remote card opening"
Official channels only: Search for bank's full name in app store, verify "official" label, refuse third-party links
Registration and Real-name Authentication
Enter phone number → Receive SMS verification code → Set login password
Upload ID card front and back → Facial recognition(must be in well-lit environment, face directly toward camera, no masks/hats)
Complete Information and Risk Assessment
Supplement occupation and permanent address (it is recommended to fill in detailed house number, such as "Unit 201, Building 3, XX Community, Chaoyang District")
Complete risk assessment questionnaire (selecting "conservative" or "balanced" type has higher approval rate)
Set Transaction Password
Password suggestion: 6–12 digits, containing letters + numbers + symbols(e.g., Bank2026!)
Cannot use birthdate, last six digits of ID card, or other weak passwords
Account Activation
First deposit of ≥1 RMB can activate account
Physical card will be mailed to the provided address (usually 3–5 business days)
After receiving the card, you must personally take the card to an ATM to change the initial password, otherwise it cannot be used
Online account opening takes approximately 10–30 minutes in total. SMS notification will be sent after approval, and mobile banking can be used on T+1 day.
III. Independent Activation of Digital RMB Wallet
Digital RMB Walletdoes not require opening a bank card first, can be activated directly, supports daily small payments.
Operation Steps:
Download the official "Digital RMB" APP (search in app store, verify "People's Bank of China" certification)
Registration: Enter personal phone number → Verification code login → Set login password of 6 digits or more
Real-name Authentication: Upload ID card → Facial recognition → Bind any Class I debit card under personal name(ICBC, Agricultural Bank, Bank of China, Construction Bank, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, etc.)
Activate Wallet: Select operating institution (e.g., ICBC, Construction Bank) → Set payment password(can be different from login password)
Wallet Upgrade (Optional):
Type III Wallet: Single transaction limit of 2,000 RMB, daily cumulative limit of 5,000 RMB (suitable for daily consumption)
Type II Wallet: Upload income certificate, can increase to single transaction limit of 50,000 RMB, daily cumulative limit of 100,000 RMB
Digital RMB is equivalent to cash, does not accrue interest, supports "tap-to-pay," "scan code," and "active scan" payments.
IV. Bank Differences Comparison in Beijing Area
Bank Type Support Online Class I Card Opening Non-Beijing Resident Requirements Support Digital RMB Binding Special Services
State-Owned Major Banks
Never disclose SMS verification codes to anyone during account opening
Do not click on suspicious links such as "account opening progress abnormal"
Only operate through bank's official APP, WeChat mini program, or official website
VI. Operational Video Guide
For intuitive learning of the account opening process, you can watch the following official demonstration videos:
Video Content: Complete process of WeChat Bank Digital RMB wallet activation, including facial recognition, password setting, bank card binding and other key steps, duration 1 minute 20 seconds.
VII. Current Issues and Recommendations
Issue 1: Some bank APPs have higher facial recognition failure rate (especially with glasses, insufficient light)
Recommendation: In natural light, remove glasses, keep face unobstructed, can try multiple times
Issue 2: Digital RMB wallet upgrade materials are complex (e.g., requiring income certificate)
Recommendation: Regular users can first activate Type III wallet, which meets daily consumption needs; if large transactions are needed, can be upgraded later at bank counter
Issue 3: Delay in mailing physical cards
Recommendation: If urgent need for card, can visit nearby branch to apply for "instant card issuance" service (supported by some branches)