The time actually starts ticking after the bank has received the completed account application file. As the account application must contain a substantial number of documents and information from the beneficial owner, we can not really influence the time taken by the client to fill these forms and to obtain these due diligence documents. From the moment the file is with the bank, it can take from a couple of days to a couple of months until the bank comes up with a letter of acceptance – or, sometimes, rejection. In some cases the bank would ask for clarifications or additional documents from the applicant. Then, obviously, it would take additional time until such information or documents are furnished. All in all, it is rather impossible to determine an exact timeframe for offshore bank account opening. Any previous experience with the same bank may be the only reference to go by.
