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Posts: 1

Minor Official

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Q: Has anyone had their China bank account closed suddenly while working remote?

I had my Jiangxi Bank acct closed while working remotely for a China university. I couldn't get back into the country as most China consulates were closed so even with a PU letter issued, I couldn't get a Z visa to then enter and change to a resident work permit. I've paid China taxes each month on my salary and for a year everything went well. But in Oct 2021 all happen suddenly -- and they've locked me out of the last year of savings. I've tried and tried to get back into the country but as you know timing is difficult to figure with PU letters, etc.. Apparently, to get my savings I need to get back in and physicall show up in Nanchang and camp out until they release my funds. I'll need to get a new resident work permit. Anyone else? 

2 years 9 weeks ago in  Money & Banking - China

 
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General

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Whether the bank is a public company does not matter. Contacting the bank will not help. This happened to many people who were stuck out of China during the pandemic and if your passport and/or residence permit expired then your bank account will be locked until you update the details. Only way to do this is at the bank in person. Perhaps you should talk with the school about this for an alternative method of paying you.

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2 years 1 week ago
 
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Posts: 19790

Emperor

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Sorry for your loss! ... but that clearly shows what China really think about all laowai.

 

I look for Jiangxi Bank at search and ... this is their main branch link:

 

http://en.jx-bank.com

 

It's not just some bank in China because it's listed on HK Stock Exchange. Also all major western financial websites (Bloomberg, Reuters ...) are reporting about Jiangxi Bank, so ...

 

I would contact the main branch at link above and ask for more details by using 'Contact Us' on the weblink.

 

Good luck!.

 

P. S.

 

Please, report back to the Board about the replies and final resolution!

Thx!

icnif77:

The other thingy came to my mind ...

As I remember from my time in China, you had to have a valid RP in order to open a bank account at any bank.

I was dealing only with the China Merchants Bank and I remember they asked me for my residence status in China when I was changing provinces and reopened my bank account. They took copies of my RP passport page ... and my new account was open. I could not do the same while in China on L (Tourist) visa.

I am thinking, that (not valid RP anymore) might be the reason for account's closure. However, they should wire all remaining funds on the account to a different, out of China bank account.

Anyhow, I believe you will get a positive resolution from Jiangxi bank.

2 years 9 weeks ago
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Spiderboenz:

I opened several bank accounts without having a residence permit. A Bank of China account in Kunming in 2011 on a tourist visa, another Bank of China account in Nanjing in 2013 on a student visa, and a China Merchant’s Bank account in 2014 on a work visa before I put in for my Residence Permit. Maybe it’s been changed since then though. It could have something to do with the government banning remote teaching from outside China? I don’t know.

2 years 9 weeks ago
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icnif77:

I've never been in China on any other visa, but Z ... or maybe the first one was L, so I don't have much experience on any other visa but Z and RP later on.

At CMB and Bank of China, they asked about visa status and took passport's copy at my fist attempt in 2012.

At China Construction Bank in 2015 or 16 in Kaifeng, Henan, I walked out 'cause they want to charge 20 Rmb to open a debit account.

As I remember now, I had to have employer's favourite bank account beside CMB 'cause in China every employer uses their fav. bank for salary deposits.

2 years 9 weeks ago
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2 years 9 weeks ago
 
Posts: 18

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Whether the bank is a public company does not matter. Contacting the bank will not help. This happened to many people who were stuck out of China during the pandemic and if your passport and/or residence permit expired then your bank account will be locked until you update the details. Only way to do this is at the bank in person. Perhaps you should talk with the school about this for an alternative method of paying you.

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2 years 1 week ago
 
Posts: 14

Minor Official

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That sounds like an absolute nightmare!!! It's almost as if they have never heard of technology and live in the dark ages. I know there is fraud but China has the technology to prevent this. 

icnif77:

Technology certainly exists, butT .. only for Chinese.

I mean, it doesn't apply to laowai ...

1 year 48 weeks ago
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MsEnglish:

That's quite alarming. 

1 year 47 weeks ago
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Blondie_:

a friend of mine, when in China, was told that her country did not exist, and therefore she could not open a bank account.

Likewise a couple of times in hotels.

and this is even after showing a passport and a map of the world !

 

Doing something like this to foreigners is seen as 'clever' in China.

 

they boast about being technologically advanced and at the same time play the 'we are a developing country' card depending on the conversation.
 

 

1 year 47 weeks ago
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1 year 48 weeks ago
 
Posts: 6

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This happened to a friend of mine and after a bit of research, we found out that if you withdraw more than 100000 RMB over the calendar year, they will freeze your account, the only way you will be able to defreeze the account is by going into the branch where you opened your account and getting it thawed out.

 

Your problem is they will put a block on your account regards withdrawing any money from abroad for two years, why? I don't know - I think it is an awful trick to play on people who are earning money outside of China because 100000 RMB to live on in a year isn't enough in most developed countries.

 

Anyway, that's how you stop your account from being frozen up from China, make sure you don't go over 100000 RMB in withdrawals in any single calendar year when you're abroad.

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1 year 45 weeks ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77