Complete 2025 Guide to Opening a Fidelity Account: How Chinese Citizens Can Apply for a Fidelity Securities Account

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You can open a Fidelity account. However, you typically cannot complete the application online using only Chinese identity information.

Key to successful account opening The key to success lies in preparing a complete set of materials required for non-U.S. residents (NRA). This includes a valid visa or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), a U.S. address, and Form W-8BEN.

As long as your materials are fully prepared, the entire Fidelity securities account opening tutorial process will be very clear.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese citizens can open Fidelity securities accounts, but they need to prepare documents required for non-U.S. residents.
• The key to success is having an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), a U.S. address, and Form W-8BEN.
• Fidelity accounts offer zero-expense-ratio funds and global trading features.
• When applying, use a stable U.S. IP network environment and substitute ITIN for SSN in the online application.
• After account activation, you can fund via bank wire transfer and set up two-factor authentication to protect account security.

Why Choose Fidelity and Account Types

Before preparing materials, understanding why Fidelity is worth your effort and which account type best suits your needs is a crucial step. This will help you make a more informed decision.

Core Advantages of Fidelity Accounts

As a top-tier broker, Fidelity provides powerful investment tools and products. Although its policy has tightened for serving retail customers outside the U.S., once you successfully open an account, you can enjoy many first-class benefits.

Important note Compared to some brokers actively expanding international clients, Fidelity has been stricter in recent years with managing retail customer accounts residing outside the U.S.. Therefore, having all required documents (such as ITIN) is crucial for application success.

After successful account opening, you can utilize Fidelity’s following core advantages:

• Zero-expense-ratio funds: Invest in Fidelity’s specific zero-expense-ratio index mutual funds to effectively reduce your investment costs.
• Global trading: Trade international stocks in over 25 markets and support conversion in 16 major currencies.
• Advanced order features: Use trailing stop orders and other advanced order types to execute trading strategies more flexibly.

Investment Account vs. Cash Management Account Comparison

Fidelity mainly offers two account types: the standard investment account (The Fidelity Account) and the Cash Management Account. You need to choose based on your fund usage.

The table below clearly shows their core differences:

Please note: The above yields (APY) fluctuate with the market and are for reference only. Typically, the Cash Management Account requires manual operation to move funds from FDIC-insured bank deposits to higher-yield money market funds.

For most investors, opening an investment account first is the starting point for U.S. stock investing. You can later add a Cash Management Account as needed for daily fund management.

Required Materials Checklist for Account Opening

Preparation is the most time-consuming but also the most critical step in the entire application process. Whether your materials are complete and compliant directly determines the success or failure of your account opening. Below, we break down every document and tool you need to prepare in detail.

Identity and Tax Document Preparation

You need to prove your identity and non-U.S. resident (NRA) tax status to Fidelity. Here are the three core documents.

1. Personal Passport

Your passport is the primary identity document. Prepare a clear scan of your valid passport. According to IRS rules, the passport is the only document that can simultaneously prove your identity and foreign nationality.

2. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

For non-U.S. residents without a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), ITIN is the most critical document for applying for a Fidelity account. It is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS for tax processing.

Why is ITIN so important? Fidelity’s online application system is primarily designed for U.S. residents. Where SSN is required, you can use ITIN as a substitute. Having an ITIN greatly increases your chances of successful online account opening.

To obtain an ITIN, apply directly to the IRS. You can do so in the following ways:

• Mail application: This is the most common method. Mail your application materials to the IRS.
  • Complete and sign Form W-7 (ITIN application form).
  • Attach supporting documents, usually your original passport or certified copy. Strongly recommend not mailing the original passport; use a certified copy instead.
  • You can obtain a certified copy through the issuing authority (e.g., China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or embassies/consulates) or U.S. embassies/consulates.

    IRS mailing address Internal Revenue Service Austin Service Center ITIN Operation P.O. Box 149342 Austin, TX 78714-9342

• Through Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA): You can pay to hire an IRS-authorized professional agent who can help prepare and submit Form W-7 and certify your passport copy, avoiding the risk of mailing originals.
• In-person submission: If you are in the U.S., schedule an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) to submit in person.

3. W-8BEN Tax Form

This form declares your non-U.S. resident status to Fidelity, allowing you to benefit from tax treaties between the U.S. and your country/region (if any) and exempt U.S. capital gains tax.

• Form purpose: Prove you are the “beneficial owner” of the account and not a U.S. tax resident.
• How to obtain: Download the latest version of Form W-8BEN and instructions from the IRS website. Typically, during Fidelity’s account opening process, the system will guide you to fill it out online.

The table below summarizes the core documents you need:

Obtaining U.S. Contact Information

Even though you are a Chinese resident, Fidelity still requires U.S. contact information, mainly a U.S. address and phone number.

1. U.S. Address

Financial institutions typically do not accept P.O. Boxes as registered addresses. You need a real U.S. street address. For applicants not living in the U.S., the best way is to use a virtual mailbox service.

Key to choosing virtual mailbox Be sure to select a service that provides a real street address, not a P.O. Box. This ensures your address passes financial institution verification.

Some highly recommended providers include:

• Earth Class Mail: Offers comprehensive services and high-quality mail scanning with strong international forwarding options.
• PostScan Mail: More economical pricing, addresses in multiple U.S. states, popular among digital nomads.
• Anytime Mailbox: Large address network and flexible plans, user-friendly interface convenient for overseas users.

These services can receive physical mail from Fidelity (e.g., debit cards, letters) and scan to electronic versions or forward to your Chinese address.

2. U.S. Phone Number

You need a U.S. phone number to receive verification codes and account communications. Easily obtain a free or low-cost U.S. number via Google Voice or other VoIP services.

Auxiliary Tools and Document Scanning

Finally, ensure your technical tools and document formats meet requirements for a smoother online application.

• High-quality document scans When uploading, follow specific technical specs for clear system recognition.
  • Resolution: Scan at 300 DPI.
  • Format: Save all files as PDF.
  • Color mode: Use grayscale for black-and-white documents, but full color for documents with color stamps or signatures (e.g., passport).
• Stable U.S. IP network environment Fidelity’s online services clearly state “for use by persons within the United States only”. This strongly suggests the system detects visitor IP addresses. To avoid access restrictions or technical issues during application, operate throughout in a stable U.S. IP network environment.
• Bank account for fund transfers Though not needed for opening, preparing a bank account capable of remitting to U.S. brokers in advance is wise. Many investors use licensed Hong Kong bank accounts, as they are typically more convenient for international wires. Having this ready is necessary to complete the Fidelity securities account opening tutorial and start investing.

Fidelity Securities Account Opening Tutorial: Full Online Application Process

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Once all materials are ready, you can officially start the online application. The following Fidelity securities account opening tutorial will guide you through each step. Ensure you operate in a stable U.S. IP network environment to avoid unnecessary interruptions.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website and Select Account

Your first step is to visit Fidelity’s official website.

1. Enter Fidelity.com in your browser.
2. On the homepage, you will see a prominent “Open an Account” button — click it.
3. The system will display various account types. Based on our earlier discussion, select The Fidelity Account (investment account). This is the core account for trading stocks, ETFs, and funds.

Operation tip The website interface may update, but core options usually remain consistent. Look for options related to “Brokerage Account” or “Investment Account.”

Step 2: Fill in Personal and Contact Information

Next, fill in a series of personal information. Ensure the details match your passport exactly.

• Personal information: Enter your name, date of birth, and nationality.
• Contact information:
  • Address: Fill in your prepared U.S. virtual address. Do not use a P.O. Box.
  • Phone number: Enter your obtained U.S. phone number (e.g., Google Voice number).
• Employment information: Fill in occupation, employer, etc., based on your situation.

This step is relatively straightforward — the key is accuracy.

Step 3: Submit Identity and Tax Information

This is the most critical step in the entire Fidelity securities account opening tutorial, directly affecting approval.

The system will ask for tax identity information. You will see a field for Social Security Number (SSN).

Key operation: Use ITIN to substitute SSN In the SSN field, directly enter your 9-digit Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Fidelity’s system recognizes ITIN for non-U.S. resident verification. This is the core technique for non-U.S. residents to succeed in online application.

After submitting ITIN, the system may guide you to an upload page. Upload your prepared document scans here:

1. Passport scan: Upload your clear full-color passport PDF scan.
2. W-8BEN form: If required, upload your completed and signed W-8BEN. Sometimes Fidelity provides an online version for direct filling — same effect.

Step 4: Review Terms and Submit Application

The final step is to review all terms and agreements.

Carefully read account agreements, privacy policies, etc., and check the agreement boxes. After confirming all information, click “Submit” — your application is officially submitted.

After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. Next, wait for Fidelity’s review.

Review time For non-U.S. residents using ITIN, Fidelity securities account registration typically takes 3-5 business days for review. Be patient and check your email — Fidelity may contact you for additional information.

This Fidelity securities account opening tutorial focuses on online application. If your online application fails for some reason, don’t worry. Try these alternatives:

• Mail application: Download paper forms from the website, fill them out, and mail with document copies to Fidelity.
• Phone assistance: Call Fidelity customer service, explain your non-U.S. resident status and documents, and request guidance to complete opening.

Key Operations After Account Activation

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Congratulations! Successfully activating your Fidelity account is an important first step. Now, complete a few key operations to officially start your investment journey and ensure account security.

How to Fund Your Fidelity Account

Funding your new account is the top priority. Use the following methods to transfer funds from mainland China or Hong Kong bank accounts to Fidelity.

• Bank wire transfer This is the most traditional and direct method. Fidelity supports receiving multiple foreign currencies, including HKD. Initiate an international wire from your licensed Hong Kong bank account. Fidelity will convert foreign currency to USD upon receipt.

  • Log in to Fidelity website and find wire instructions.
  • Select your sending bank country and currency (e.g., Hong Kong/HKD).
  • Obtain Fidelity’s receiving bank details and handle the wire at your bank.

  Fastest method Bank wires are the fastest for funds arrival. Fidelity charges no incoming wire fee, and funds are available almost immediately with no hold period.
  Note that your sending bank and any intermediary banks may charge fees.

  Fidelity International Wire Fees	Fee Description
  Incoming Wire	$0, but your bank and intermediaries charge (typically $10–$50)
  Processing Time	Usually 3–5 business days

• Third-party payment platforms Consider services like Biyapay. These sometimes offer better exchange rates and lower transfer fees as a supplement to bank wires.

How to Apply for Debit Card and Checks

If you opened a Fidelity Cash Management Account, apply for a free debit card and checkbook. This makes fund management more flexible. Log in and find the application entry in account features. Fidelity will mail the physical card and checks to your U.S. virtual address provided during opening.

How to Set Up Account Security Protection

Protecting your assets is crucial. Immediately set up the following security measures.

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) This is the core defense against account theft.

1. Log in to your Fidelity account and go to security settings.
2. Find and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
3. Strongly recommend choosing Authenticator app.
4. Follow on-screen prompts to scan QR code with Google Authenticator or similar app.
5. Safely store backup codes in case of phone loss.

2. Explore Other Security Tools Fidelity offers more advanced security features — enable as needed:

• Fidelity MyVoice®: Register your voiceprint. Future customer service calls verify identity via voice without passwords.
• Fund Transfer Lock: One-click lock to prohibit all electronic fund transfers, preventing unauthorized transfers.
• Security text alerts: Receive instant text alerts for important account actions (e.g., trades or updates).

The key path to successfully opening a Fidelity account is clear. Your core task is to plan ahead and prepare non-resident materials centered on Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and Form W-8BEN.

Start your investment journey As long as materials are fully prepared, the application process is not only clear and feasible but also allows you as a non-U.S. resident to enjoy capital gains tax benefits. Now, use this guide to confidently begin your U.S. stock investment and global fund management journey.

FAQ

Do I absolutely need an ITIN to apply?

Not absolutely required, but strongly recommended. Having an ITIN allows use of the online system designed for U.S. residents, greatly increasing success rate. Applications without ITIN usually require more traditional methods like mail or phone.

What if the online application fails?

Don’t worry. Try alternatives. Download paper forms from the website and mail, or call Fidelity customer service directly. Explain your situation, and support will guide you through next steps.

Can I fund from a mainland China bank account?

Direct wires from mainland China banks to U.S. brokers may face difficulties. A safer approach is using a licensed Hong Kong bank account for international wires. This process is clearer with higher success rate.

As a non-U.S. resident, do I pay taxes on investment gains?

After correctly submitting Form W-8BEN, the treatment is as follows:

Important note Tax rules may change. Consult a professional tax advisor for personalized advice.