Imagine having a UK or US bank account right from Indonesia—cool, right? It’s perfect for freelancers, digital nomads, business owners, or anyone who wants to manage money across borders. This guide will walk you through each step to open these accounts with Grey, making global banking simple and accessible from your home in  Indonesia.

Who should open US and UK accounts in Indonesia?

1. Freelancers:  Freelancing in Indonesia is growing at an impressive rate of 26% per year, with many freelancers working with clients from the US and UK. With Fintechs like Grey Indonesian freelancers can now open US and UK accounts easily, enabling quick international payments  with lower fees and fewer delays.
2. Digital nomads: With US and UK accounts, digital nomads can handle their money better while working with clients from many countries.
3. Remote workers: For remote workers in Indonesia, having a UK or US account means faster payments and easier international payments. This is especially important as  Indonesia has one of the largest remote workforces in Southeast Asia.

Also read: Everything you need to know about the Indonesia digital nomad visa

Why open a US or UK bank account from Indonesia?

1. Lower conversion fees: With US and UK accounts, Indonesian freelancers and businesses can skip high conversion fees on international payments.
2. Access to global markets: With a US or UK account, entrepreneurs have access to global opportunities that local banks may not fully support. This can be valuable as Indonesia’s digital economy is projected to reach USD 146 billion by 2025.
3. Credibility with international clients: Having a foreign bank account shows professionalism to international clients, establishing trust and potentially boosting client retention.

A step-by-step guide to opening a Grey account in Indonesia

Opening a US and UK bank account online through Grey involves two basic steps:

A. Signing up on Grey

Signing up on Grey is very easy. Just visit Grey.co in your mobile or web browser, click the "Get started button", and follow the four basic steps below to complete your registration:

1. Select your country of residence and click the “Continue” button

2.  Complete the form with your personal information i.e. name, gender, email address, phone number, and referral code,  if you were referred by someone.

3. Create your account's password. Ensure your password contains lower and upper case letters, numbers, and special characters.

(See the image below). Once this is done, accept the terms and conditions and click on “Continue”.

4. The final step is to verify your email address.

An OTP code will be sent to your registered email address for verification. If you entered incorrect details or didn't receive a code the first time, you can click "Resend code". After that, click on the "Verify your account" button.

Once your account has been successfully verified, you can select what you want to use Grey for.

N.B - You can select more than one option. You are not restricted to one of the functions. So after selecting all that applies to your account, you can then click on the “submit” button.

B. Identity verification

As a non-US citizen, you’ll need to upload a valid government-issued ID (e.g., international passport) and proof of address (utility bill or bank statement). Grey uses these documents to verify your identity and comply with regulatory requirements. (See the attached images below).

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When you click on “Begin ID verification”, you will be taken to a page where you can enter further details that can be used to verify your KYC.

KYC verification‍

We’ll review your documents to verify your identity, a step that typically takes a few minutes to 24 hours. To speed up the approval process , ensure your documents are clear, valid, and meet regulatory standards.

Accessing your UK or US bank account

‍Once verified, you can request your UK or US bank account directly from your dashboard. After receiving your account details, you can easily receive payments, transfer funds, and manage your finances across borders.

Important tips for Indonesian residents

1. Choose the right platform: Grey is a top choice for Indonesians who want to access UK or US banking without needing to travel or live there.
2. Understand regulatory requirements: Stay informed of tax and financial reporting obligations for overseas accounts.
3. Multi-currency support: With Grey’s multi-currency support, you can effortlessly manage transactions across USD and GBP, making international payments more convenient and cost-effective.

Final Thoughts

Opening a UK or US bank account from Indonesia is straightforward with Grey. Sign up on Grey today and take the first step toward managing your finances globally.