Frequently asked questions

Any natural person of full age and capacity, with the exception of emancipated minors, domiciled in France for tax purposes and holder of a chequing account at a bank whose registered office is located in France may open an account.

Your online request should take 5 minutes.
1. Complete your application and print the contract at the end of the form.
Click on "Open an Account" on the page "Becoming an HSBC Advance" customer.
Proceed to the form, fill in the required information, and then validate your request.

2. Sign your contract and send it by post in an unstamped envelope to the following address. HSBC France Advance - Libre Réponse 53974 - 92889 Nanterre cedex 9, accompanied by:
- Your first deposit: a €500 cheque made payable to yourself from a credit institution established in France.
- Bank details (RIB – Relevé d’Identité Bancaire) for the chequeing account to use for the first deposit.
- The completed and signed customer information form
- Your two proofs of identity
- Your proof of residence
- Your proof of income
- The three most recent account statements for your main bank
- The record of signature
- The request to move
- Three copies of the W9 form, if you are a "US Person"

3. When your application is received and subject to acceptance, we open your account as soon as possible. You will receive confirmation of the account's opening via e-mail.

If you do not have a printer, you may request your file by post, directly to you (option available in the last stage of the account opening form).

- An official, current and valid piece of identity bearing a clear photograph
National identity card, visitor or resident card (front and back) or passport (photocopy the pages with your name, surname, date and place of birth, photo and signature).

- A second piece of official identity:
National identity card, resident or temporary card, driving licence, hunting licence, fishing licence, boating licence, government employee identification card, family record book, large family card or birth certificate.
- One proof of residence from the following list:
Water, electricity, gas, or land line utility bill dated within the last three months.
Annual schedule of water, electricity or gas for the current year
Notice of imposition of the local residence or property tax for the current year.
Lease or rent contract from an institution (council house, insurance company, real estate company).
Certificate of accommodation accompanied by a valid and current piece of identity of the host as well as on of the proofs of domicile of the host, listed above.
- Proof of income:
Copy of your most recent tax notice or pay stub.
- Account statements from your main bank
Copies of the three most recent account statements for your main bank.

An individual is considered to be a "US Person" if they are a US national or resident, holder of a "Green Card" or if they have made frequent and long visits to the United States.
In other words, if they have resided in the United States at least 31 days out of the current year and the number of days in the United States over the last three years is at least 183 days (the 183-day threshold is calculated by adding the number of days of presence in the current year, a third of the number of days of presence in the previous year, and a sixth of the number of days of presence in the year previous to that).
In some cases, the Bank may request that you provide additional documents (e.g. W-8Ben Form)

When your complete application is received and subject to acceptance, we will proceed to open your account as soon as possible.