I. Tightening Policies for Hong Kong and US Stock Account Opening in 2025? Key Changes Mainland Investors Must Know!

1. Surging Thresholds for Account Opening at Leading Brokers: Overseas Proof Becomes a "Must"

Since June 2025, leading Hong Kong brokers such as Futu Securities, Tiger Brokers, and Valuable Capital have suddenly tightened account opening policies for mainland residents — completely abolishing the "existing proof" channel and instead mandating overseas employment or residency proof. Under the new regulations, mainland users must submit overseas utility bills, salary slips, rental contracts, and other documents from the past 3 months. Failure to provide them may result in account opening rejection at best, or account freezing at worst. This adjustment stems from the securities regulatory commission's rectification of cross-border securities business, focusing on cracking down on gray operations such as forged materials by intermediaries and illegal diversion, but it has also left many ordinary investors facing the dilemma of "no way to open an account."

Attachment: What is Overseas Employment or Residency Proof?

2. Well Link Securities Breaks Through: Account Opening with ID Card Alone, Compliant and Convenient

While most brokers are raising thresholds, Well Link Securities has retained a convenient channel for mainland investors:

• No need for overseas proof: Mainland users can complete account opening with just their ID cards, no need to travel abroad or find proof — a rare low threshold in the industry;
• Strong compliance qualifications: As a licensed corporation recognized by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (Central Code: AMB404), it has held Type 1 (securities trading) license since 2005 and Type 2 (futures contracts trading) license since 2009. It is also a participant of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, a direct clearing participant of Hong Kong Clearing, and is strictly regulated, ensuring fund security.
• Comparative advantages: In sharp contrast with brokers like Futu/Tiger (see the table below).

II. Well Link Securities Account Opening Requirements Revealed: Do Mainland Users Only Need ID Cards? Regional Document Lists Here

Well Link Securities has formulated clear account opening requirements for users in different regions. Among them, account opening for mainland users can be called "zero threshold," as detailed below:

III. Choose from 3 Account Opening Methods! Complete Process of Well Link Securities Account Opening (with illustrated Steps)

Well Link Securities provides 3 account opening channels. Whether you are used to online operations or offline processing, you can find a suitable way:

1. Choose the Right Account Opening Method First: Online/APP, WeChat, or Offline — Your Choice

• Online/Mobile APP Account Opening (Recommended): The entire process is online; no need to go offline, you can do it on your mobile phone;
• WeChat Self-service Account Opening: Operate through the official public account entrance; the process is exactly the same as online account opening;
• On-site Application at Company: Client managers at the Hong Kong headquarters will assist on-site. Address: Units 1113-1115, 11th Floor, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong (no appointment needed, just go directly).

2. Graphic Steps for Online/APP Account Opening (Mainland User Version): Easily Completed in 11 Steps

(The WeChat account opening process is the same; the following is a detailed operation guide)

Step 1: Click "Open Now" to Enter the Account Opening Page

Open the Well Link Securities official website or mobile APP, find the "Open Now" button on the homepage, and click to enter the online account opening page (Note: The page will prompt core advantages such as "One account for investing in Hong Kong, US, A-shares, and global futures"; confirm it is the official account opening entrance before operating).

Step 2: Select "I Do Not Have a Hong Kong Bank Account"

After entering the trading page, the system will pop up the option "Do you have a Hong Kong bank account?" Select "I do not have" directly (if you select "I have", it will jump to other processes; mainland users are advised to select "I do not have" for more convenience); the page will also prompt benefits such as "Support 24-hour bank-securities deposit" and "Ultra-low transaction costs". Confirm and click next.

Step 3: Prepare Account Opening Materials in Advance

The system will display the "Account Opening Preparation" list: Mainland China ID card, Mainland China bank debit card, WIFI network. Confirm that the materials are complete and proceed to the next step; note that the page is marked with "* Mainland ID card users cannot open China Connect", so there is no need to worry about the China Connect option.

Step 4: Select Account Type and Check Agreements

On the "Account Selection" page, select "Cash Securities Account" for the account type (margin account can be upgraded later), and check "Securities (Hong Kong and US stocks)" for the product type; then carefully read the "Well Link Securities Client Agreement" and "Personal Data Statement", check "I have read and agreed in detail", and click "Start Filling in Information".

Step 5: Upload Front and Back Photos of ID Card (Important!)

Click "Please upload my Mainland China ID card" and take photos of the front (portrait side) and back (national emblem side) of the ID card respectively:

• Photography requirements: The entire border is complete, the portrait and text are clearly visible, and there is no obvious reflection;
• Tip: Place the ID card horizontally and hold the mobile phone horizontally for shooting to avoid blocking the edge of the document;
• The system will automatically recognize the information. If there is an error, you can modify it manually. After confirmation, click next.

Step 6: Fill in Personal Basic Information

Manually complete the "Basic Information" page: Chinese surname, given name and corresponding pinyin, ID card number, document address (fill in truthfully according to the ID card), country of birth (select "China"), region of birth (optional); if the ID card is valid for a long time, directly check "Long-term", then click next after filling.

Step 7: Fill in Mainland Bank Card Number (For Real-Name Verification Only)

Enter the "Mainland Bank Card Identity Verification" page and input your name-matching Mainland bank card number (debit card, credit cards are not accepted); the page specially prompts "* Bank card is only used for real-name verification and has nothing to do with deposit/withdrawal or bank card binding". There is no need to worry about fund security. Click next after filling.

Step 8: Fill in Contact Information and Employment Status in Order

Fill in the "Information Filling" page item by item:

• Contact information: Email address, bank reserved mobile phone number (for receiving verification codes), education level, marital status;
• Address information: Select "Mainland China" for current address, and select provinces, cities and districts according to the actual situation; if there is no valid address proof, directly fill in [ID card address] here, and select "Same as current address" for correspondence address;
• Employment status: Select the employment situation according to the actual situation (Note: If "Unemployed" is selected, it is recommended not to fill in an excessively high annual income; you cannot select "Retired" if you have not reached the retirement age). Click next after filling.

Step 9: Play and Listen to the Risk Disclosure Recording

Click the "Start Playing Risk Disclosure Recording" button at the bottom. The recording supports both Mandarin and Cantonese, and the playback speed can be adjusted (x1/x2); a friendly reminder: "If the environment is inconvenient, please listen with headphones" to ensure you can clearly hear the risk prompt content.

Step 10: Check Authorization Agreements and Confirm Declaration

After the recording is played, the system will display summaries of documents such as "Appendix V Personal Data Statement to the Securities Account Agreement" and "Personal Data Collection Statement under the Hong Kong Investor Identification Regime and Over-the-Counter Securities Transaction Reporting Regime". Check "I confirm that I have read, understood and agreed", and also check "I am aware that the identity documents are up-to-date and will immediately notify Well Link Securities of any changes". Click "Confirm Declaration, Next".

Step 11: Complete Identity Disclosure Statement

On the "Identity Disclosure" page, check the following statements one by one:

• Have no kinship with directors or employees of Well Link Securities and its associated companies;
• Am not a licensed person registered with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, nor an employee or director of relevant institutions;
• Myself and my spouse are not margin clients of Well Link Securities or actual owners/guarantors;
• Myself and my spouse do not control more than 35% of the equity or voting rights of margin clients of Well Link Securities; click next after confirmation.

Step 12: Sign Personal Data Promotion Statement

Enter the "Personal Statement" page, confirm that you have received and understood the notice on the use of personal data for direct marketing, and choose "Agree" or "Disagree" to allow Well Link Securities to use your personal data for marketing (it is recommended to select "Agree" to receive timely notifications of preferential activities). Click next.

Step 13: Fill in Tax Information (Avoid Pitfalls!)

On the "Tax Information" page:

• Select "Mainland China" for jurisdiction, and fill in the ID card number as the tax identification number (the page is marked with "* Tax identification number is generally the ID card number");
• US resident status declaration: Select according to the actual situation. If you are not a US citizen/resident, check "I am not a US citizen or US resident for tax purposes"; Note: The page clearly prompts "If you are a US citizen and/or US resident for tax purposes, our company does not support account opening temporarily". Be sure to fill in truthfully.

Step 14: Truthfully Fill in Financial Status andInvestment Experience Years

On the "Financial Status" page, you need to fill in:

• Annual income and total net assets (select according to actual situation, such as "<200,000 HKD" "<1,000,000 HKD");
• Source of funds: Optional options include salary, savings, business income, etc. (Note: Unemployed persons should not select "salary" to avoid being rejected due to "unclear source of funds" during review);
• Sustained source of funds: Generally select "Same as source of funds";
• Investment purpose: Select options that match your actual situation, such as short-term investment, accommodation, etc. Click next after filling.

On the "Investment Profile" page, select the investment experience years for products such as stocks, derivative warrants, options, futures, and bull-bear certificates according to your actual situation (e.g., select "1~5 years" for stocks, "no experience" for derivative warrants); if there are other investment products, fill them in the "Other" column; the page prompts "* Please fill in according to your actual investment experience" — do not overstate your experience~

Step 15: Upload Two Frontal Portrait Photos (Key Review Point!)

Click "Upload My Photos" and take and upload the first and second frontal selfies respectively:

• Core requirements: No beauty filters, PS editing, ID photos, or artistic photos are accepted; must be real selfies;
• Shooting tips: Use the mobile phone's front camera, stand against a white background wall, keep the shooting angle straight, and ensure the face is complete and clear;
• Special note: If you are not wearing glasses in your ID photo, do not wear glasses in the portrait photos here, otherwise the review may fail.

Step 16: Signature Confirmation + Set Password, Submit Application

• Click "Please click to enter the signature page" and complete the electronic signature (ensure the signature is clear and consistent with the name on the ID card);
• After signing, enter the "Set Initial Transaction Password" page. The password must be a combination of 6-16 letters and numbers. Enter it twice for confirmation;
• Finally, click "I confirm the above is my information, next step". The system will prompt "Your information has been submitted, and your account opening is being reviewed".

Key Reminder: Review Time and Notification

The page clearly states: "* Normal account opening review takes 1-2 working days. If there are errors in the information filled, the background will return the application. Please pay attention to SMS notifications". Keep your mobile phone accessible after submission and check the review progress in time~

3. Additional Note for WeChat Account Opening: Don't Forget This Step

After completing the above 11 steps, you need to choose one of the following two options:

1. Make an appointment for account opening witness;
2. Transfer the first deposit (no less than 10,000 HKD) from a licensed Hong Kong bank account.

IV. Limited-Time Account Opening Promotion | Exclusive Benefits for August 2025 Preview

Core Benefits | Permanent Zero Platform Fee + Zero Commission for Hong Kong Stock Cash Transactions

• Permanent zero platform fee: Enjoy permanent exemption from platform fees for Hong Kong and US stock transactions to reduce trading costs.
• Limited-time zero commission for Hong Kong stock cash transactions: Enjoy full exemption from Hong Kong stock trading commissions until June 30, 2027.

Deposit Reward Program | Three Tiers of Benefits with Progressive Upgrades

Participation Method | Activate limited-time benefits via exclusive link: Open an account through the exclusive account opening link to participate in the promotion and activate rewards!

V. Fund Security and Deposit/Withdrawal Methods | Safe and Convenient in One Step

1. Compliance Guarantee | Funds Deposited with International Banks

• Licensing qualifications: Well Link Securities holds Type 1/4/5/9 licenses from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, operating legally and compliantly.
• Fund custody: Client funds are independently deposited and managed by international banks to ensure asset safety.

2. Convenience of Deposit/Withdrawal | Multiple Flexible Options

• Hong Kong card support: Visa/MasterCard quick deposit with real-time arrival.
• Macau Well Link Bank: Bank-securities lossless deposit (exclusive for local users) with transparent exchange rates and no loss.
• Exchange rate advantage: Real-time HKD/USD exchange rates reduce intermediary losses and save costs.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Solve All Doubts in One Article

Q1: Is account opening with ID card legal?

A: Well Link Securities is a licensed institution recognized by the Securities and Futures Commission, compliant with cross-border investment policies for mainland residents, and fully legal.

Q2: What if I can't provide overseas proof?

A: Well Link Securities does not require overseas documents. You can open an account directly with your ID card, eliminating tedious procedures.

Q3: How to use IPO subscription coupons?

A: Supports Hong Kong stock IPO subscriptions. Need to bind the account on the trading interface to use, improving the subscription success rate.

Q4: How long does account opening take?

After receiving all documents, the review will be completed in approximately 3 working days. For online account opening, you can trade directly through the APP after success; for offline account opening, the account and password will be sent via email.

Q5: How to transfer stocks to Well Link Securities?

Two methods:

1. Submit "Stock Transfer Notice" via APP (Path: Homepage [My] > [Securities Services] > [Transfer In Stocks]);
2. Download the 《Settlement Instruction Form》, fill it out, sign it, and send it to the customer service email ([email protected]) or WhatsApp (+852 9799 1894). Hong Kong stock transfer code: B01814; US stock clearing firm: Velox Clearing LLC (DTC No. 3856).

Q6: Which markets can I trade after opening an account?

You can trade Hong Kong stocks, Hong Kong futures, US stocks, and A-shares. One APP handles global investments without switching platforms.

Q7: How to open a margin account for Hong Kong stocks?

First, open a securities margin account. Specific stock financing ratios can be found by downloading the latest 《Margin Ratio Table》 on the official website. The annual interest rate for Hong Kong stock margin trading is as low as H+3.9%, with a maximum leverage of 10x. Supports online account upgrade and credit limit increase.

Conclusion: For Hong Kong and US Stock Account Opening in 2025, Choose Well Link Securities!

In 2025, when policies for Hong Kong and US stock account opening are tightening, Well Link Securities' advantage of "account opening with ID card alone" is highly attractive — with complete compliance qualifications, wide trading coverage, and exclusive August benefits (permanent zero platform fee, deposit rewards).

It is recommended to open an account through the exclusive link, fill in information truthfully, and take standard photos. The review can be completed in 3 working days.

Contact customer service anytime if you have questions:

• Hong Kong: +852 3150 7728
• Mainland China: +86 755 8206 0899
• Macau: +853 8796 5888,
• or contact Hawk Insight's exclusive customer service to easily start your Hong Kong and US stock investment journey～