Hong Kong's most ubiquitous stored-value service, run by Octopus Cards Limited and accepted at convenience stores, supermarkets, markets, MTR, buses, parking and government fees, with auto top-up for your physical Octopus card. Since October 2025 verified Octopus users can also pay at PayPay merchants in Japan.
!Not a bank. Octopus Wallet is an HKMA-licensed stored value facility under Hong Kong's SVF Ordinance. Balances are stored value, not bank deposits, and are not covered by any deposit protection scheme.
Yes, but only at the entry tier. Without a Hong Kong ID you can open Octopus Wallet Lite with a HK mobile number plus email: HK$3,000 stored value limit, HK$25,000 annual transaction limit, FPS top-ups only (no cash top-up, no bank transfers out). Plus and Pro tiers require a HKID photo, a selfie and proof of address, so they are closed to non-HKID holders.
No minimum top-up; Wallet Lite caps stored value at HK$3,000｜Account opening, P2P payments and monthly fees are free. Monthly transfers out to a bank above HK$3,000 incur 1% on the excess (minimum HK$1). The virtual Octopus Mastercard charges 2% on foreign-currency spending.
Wallet Lite: HK$3,000 stored value, HK$25,000 annual transaction limit. Wallet Plus: HK$10,000 stored value, HK$100,000 annual. Wallet Pro (verified): HK$30,000 stored value, HK$500,000 annual. Balances are stored value and are not deposit-insured.
Yes, but only at the entry tier. Without a Hong Kong ID you can open Octopus Wallet Lite with a HK mobile number plus email: HK$3,000 stored value limit, HK$25,000 annual transaction limit, FPS top-ups only (no cash top-up, no bank transfers out). Plus and Pro tiers require a HKID photo, a selfie and proof of address, so they are closed to non-HKID holders.
Local bank account: Not required. Items typically needed: A Hong Kong mobile number; Email address; Hong Kong ID card (required for Plus/Pro); Proof of address (for Pro); A smartphone (NFC required for advanced features).
Typically: A Hong Kong mobile number; Email address; Hong Kong ID card (required for Plus/Pro); Proof of address (for Pro); A smartphone (NFC required for advanced features).
How to sign up: Fully online — download the Octopus app and register with a HK mobile number plus email (About 5–10 minutes online (Lite is instant; Plus/Pro takes 1–3 working days)). Steps: 1) Download the Octopus app 2) Choose Apply for account, enter your HK mobile number and the SMS one-time password 3) Set a password and enter your name and email 4) For higher limits, upload your HKID, a selfie and proof of address 5) Top up via FPS from your banking app (select 949 Octopus Cards Limited as payee) 6) Pay by QR code in store, or link a physical Octopus card for auto top-up Fees: Account opening, P2P payments and monthly fees are free. Monthly transfers out to a bank above HK$3,000 incur 1% on the excess (minimum HK$1). The virtual Octopus Mastercard charges 2% on foreign-currency spending.
Wallet Lite: HK$3,000 stored value, HK$25,000 annual transaction limit. Wallet Plus: HK$10,000 stored value, HK$100,000 annual. Wallet Pro (verified): HK$30,000 stored value, HK$500,000 annual. Balances are stored value and are not deposit-insured.
E-wallet rules change often — always follow the latest instructions in the official app.