>> Yeah, things have changed in recent years in HK. HSBC HK has a horrible reputation now and they are very resistant to do corporate account openings and prefer your company is resident or doing business in HK.
Good to know. Though it's kinda sad as HK really used to be a great place for business. I've seen similar changes in
>> Regarding long stay visas in Thailand - as I said, getting a long term visa or work permit is very simple you can do it through a company who will sponsor you for a modest fee. If you are interested I can provide you with links.
Yea but many such offerings are just circumventing the law and here in the south at least a couple of these companies got into trouble. And by trouble I mean the usual extortion by immigration/police.
Especially companies with nominees that hold the other 51% for you are getting more and more attention.
>> My BOI did take some time, you are right, but the process was relatively simple as I used an agency - but totally worth it.
Hehe the typical Thai way. Find someone (agency) who knows someone that makes the decision. Pay the agent a "service fee" from which a nice chunk goes to the official to incentivize a smooth process :)
>> Yes - much easier to incorporate somewhere else. Your experience with HK/HSBC opening a merchant account is simply not a reality anymore for the majority of people, particularly without processing history, nor is it in other countries using HK.
Again said to hear.
>> Anyway, this product offering from Stripe is a genuine game changer for people who want to operate from the US, want a business in a box and want to set it up remotely. I know many, many people who will jump on it.
Undoubtedly the offering from Stripe will be helpful for many people. Somehow I get the feeling that the US pushed other countries hard to make incorporation and especially bank account opening much harder in the guise of fighting terrorism and crime while itself trying to make it simpler. An interesting economic strategy.