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Opening a Bank Account in Malaysia (Foreigners)
Document Checklist
Passport (original)
Where to get: Issued by your home-country authority
Required: Original. CIMB lists 'NRIC or passport is required' on its Regular Savings, Regular Current, Prime and Salary Account product pages — passport is the foreigner identifier on these products. Public Bank ACE accepts non-residents but does not enumerate documents on the public product page; the branch counter will inspect the passport. RHB does not accept passport for its online verification step — bring the passport to the branch.
RHB's online-account-opening FAQ states verbatim 'Online Account Opening only allows verification on new MyKad (80k chip version, with ghost image). The older version MyKad (64k chip version, without ghost image), Passport, MyKid, MyPR is currently not accepted.' — for foreigners holding a passport, the online step cannot complete and a branch visit is mandatory.
Employment Pass / Professional Visit Pass / Spouse Pass / Student Pass
Malaysian work or residency pass (if applicable)
Where to get: Issued by Imigresen Malaysia / the Expatriate Services Division (work passes) or relevant immigration channels (Spouse / Student passes)
Required: Original document or sticker / card showing your immigration status in Malaysia
The bank pages reviewed do not itemise foreigner-specific supplementary documents on their public product pages, but customer due diligence under Bank Negara Malaysia's AML/CFT framework typically requires proof of legal residency for a non-resident account. Bring the pass — branch staff will tell you exactly which pages they need to copy. If you do not yet hold a pass and are visiting on a tourist entry, the branch may decline; phone ahead.
Proof of Malaysian residential address (where requested)
Where to get: A recent Malaysian utilities bill (TNB / Air / Indah Water), a telco bill, or a signed tenancy agreement
Required: Original or printed copy in your name. The public CIMB / Public Bank / RHB product pages reviewed do not itemise this requirement, but it is routinely requested at the counter as part of the bank's KYC process.
If your tenancy is still in your landlord's name, bring the tenancy agreement that names you as tenant, plus an employer letter confirming your Malaysian address — the branch will tell you whether that combination is sufficient.
Initial deposit
Where to get: Bring cash for counter deposit or be ready to FPX-transfer once the account is open
Required: Amount depends on product: RM 20 (CIMB Salary Account, RHB Basic Savings) up to RM 1,000 (CIMB Regular Current / Prime, Public Bank ACE / Premier ACE, RHB Smart / MY1). Public Bank's Foreign Currency Current Account requires USD 1,000 (or equivalent in another supported currency).
The initial deposit stays in your account — it is not a fee. The bank product pages publish each minimum amount verbatim per § Costs below.
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