The Binance KYC process: Enter the identity verification page → Select document type → Upload the front and back of the document → Facial recognition → Wait for review. If it's your first submission and the document quality is good, it takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to be approved; average quality takes 1-3 business days. If the review fails, you can resubmit. After 3 failures, it shifts to manual review, which takes 7-14 days. Start by registering an account at the official Binance site. For the APK, go to the official Binance App, and for the full multi-platform process, check the Download Center. This article breaks down the process step by step.
KYC Levels and Feature Unlocks
| Level | Requirements | Unlocked Features | Withdrawal Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unverified | Registration only | View only | Cannot withdraw |
| Level 1 | Email + Phone | Limited trading | $50/day |
| Level 2 | ID Card + Facial recognition | Full trading, C2C, Fiat | $1,000,000/day |
| Level 3 | Proof of address | High-volume trading | $5,000,000/day |
Regular users only need to reach Level 2, while Level 3 is only needed for high-net-worth users.
Complete Steps for Level 2 KYC
1. Enter Identity Verification
- App: "Account → Identity Verification → Upgrade to Level 2"
- Web: Top right avatar → Identity Verification
2. Select Country and Document Type
| Country | Recommended Document |
|---|---|
| Mainland China | ID Card (Easiest) |
| Hong Kong | HK ID Card or Passport |
| Taiwan | Taiwan ID Card |
| Overseas | Passport |
| Any Country | Driver's License (Supported in some countries) |
Choose from ID Card / Driver's License / Passport. Domestic users should prioritize the ID Card, as it is the most accurately recognized by the Binance system.
3. Upload the Front of the Document
Requirements:
- Take a picture of the original document (no photocopies, scans, or photos of photos)
- All 4 corners must be clearly visible
- Text must be clear and readable
- No glare
- No obstruction (fingers shouldn't block information)
- Even lighting
Steps:
- Place the document on a table
- Find a brightly lit environment (avoid direct sunlight)
- Point your phone/computer camera vertically at the document
- Adjust the distance so all 4 corners are in the frame
- Preview after capturing, and retake if unclear
4. Upload the Back of the Document
Same requirements as the front:
- 4 corners clearly visible
- Text is clear
- No glare
5. Facial Recognition
Requirements:
- Remove glasses, masks, hats, and face coverings
- Find an evenly lit environment (avoid backlighting)
- Look directly into the phone camera
- Follow on-screen prompts: blink, open mouth, turn head, nod
Steps:
- Tap Start → The system detects your face
- The screen displays movement prompts
- Follow the prompts to complete 3-5 actions
- The system automatically compares the document photo with your face
Each action takes 1-2 seconds, and the whole process is done within 30 seconds.
6. Submit for Review
The status changes to "Under Review" after submission. Wait for the review results.
Review Time
Based on empirical data:
| Document Quality | Average Time | 75% of Cases | 95% of Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent (Clear & Complete) | 30 minutes | 2 hours | 6 hours |
| Good | 6 hours | 24 hours | 3 days |
| Average | 1 day | 3 days | 7 days |
| Manual Review | 5 days | 14 days | 21 days |
If it's your first submission and the quality is excellent, most are approved within 30 minutes.
Review Result Notifications
When approved:
- Email notification: "Congratulations, KYC Level 2 passed"
- App under "Account → Identity Verification" shows Level 2 ✓
- Withdrawal limit is automatically increased
- All features are unlocked
When failed:
- Email explaining the reason for failure
- Prompt saying "Please resubmit"
- Common reasons for failure: blurry document photo, failed facial recognition, mismatched information
Tips to Improve First-Time Approval Rate
Tips for Photographing Documents
- Horizontal framing: Place the document horizontally and hold the camera horizontally, do not shoot vertically.
- Fill the frame: The document should take up 80% of the frame (leave a small margin).
- Avoid glare: ID cards have reflective films; lighting should come from the top side, not directly overhead.
- Place flat: The document should not be bent or have curled corners.
- Clean background: A black or white tablecloth is best.
- Close-up focus: Manually tap the document area on the screen to focus.
Tips for Facial Recognition
- Even ambient light: Find natural light near a window, avoid backlighting.
- Remove all obstructions: Glasses (including decorative lenses), masks, hats, face coverings, scarves.
- Slow movements: Do not perform the prompted actions too quickly.
- Maintain distance: Keep your face 30-50cm away from the camera.
- Face forward: Face the screen directly, do not tilt your head.
- Stay steady: Do not shake your hands.
Other Suggestions
- Ensure the document is not expired
- Registered information matches the document (name, birthday)
- Your phone's time is accurate on the day of KYC
- Stable network (to avoid upload interruptions)
- Use your real identity used when registering the main account
Handling Failures
Failure Reason 1: Blurry Document Photo
- Retake the photo (following the tips above)
- Use another device (like a computer webcam)
- Find a better lighting environment
Failure Reason 2: Facial Recognition Failed
- Remove all obstructions and try again
- Change the lighting environment
- Restart the App and retry
Failure Reason 3: Document Info Does Not Match System
- Check if the document has expired
- Check if the name/birthday entered during registration matches the document
- In some cases, you need to modify your registered info (contact customer service)
Failure Reason 4: ID Card Already Used by Another Account
- One ID card can only register one Binance account
- If it's your own secondary account → Cancel the other one before using this one
- If it's not you → Contact customer service to report identity theft
Failure Reason 5: Shifted to Manual Review
After 3 automatic review failures, it shifts to manual:
- Processing time extends to 7-14 days
- Customer service may ask for additional documents (like a household register)
- Just cooperate and provide them
KYC Level 3 Upgrade (Only for High-Net-Worth Individuals)
The Level 2 withdrawal limit is usually sufficient ($1M/day). Only users who withdraw more than $1 million a day need Level 3.
Level 3 Upgrade Requirements:
- Level 2 KYC approved
- Provide Proof of Address:
- Utility bill (within the last 3 months)
- Bank statement (within the last 3 months)
- Proof of address issued by a government agency
- The name on the document matches the KYC name
Review time: 3-7 business days.
KYC Security Precautions
1. Only do KYC on the Official App / Website
- Never use third-party "KYC proxy services"
- Do not upload your documents to untrusted websites
- Any "Binance customer service" asking for photos of your ID is a scammer
2. Do Not Save Document Photos to Cloud Drives
- Immediately delete document photos from your phone gallery after completing KYC
- Do not save them to iCloud / Google Drive
- Prevents identity theft if your cloud account gets compromised
3. Do Not Alter Documents with Photoshop
- The system will detect Photoshop traces
- Forging a document once will permanently disqualify that ID from KYC
- Severe cases may involve criminal liability
After Completing KYC
Immediately after KYC is approved:
- Enable Google Authenticator 2FA
- Set an Anti-Phishing Code
- Enable the Withdrawal Whitelist
- Add frequently used withdrawal addresses
Complete security settings + KYC Level 2 = standard configuration for a Binance account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is KYC mandatory? A: Not strictly mandatory, but without it, you can only view, not trade. It's recommended to do it immediately after registration.
Q: Can I use the account during the KYC review? A: You can log in and view, but cannot trade. It becomes fully usable immediately after approval.
Q: Can I use an expired document for KYC? A: No. You must use a valid, unexpired document. If your document is expired, renew it before doing KYC.
Q: What happens if facial recognition fails multiple times? A: After 3 failures, it shifts to manual review, and you'll wait 7-14 days for the results. You cannot trade during this period.
Q: Can minors do KYC? A: No. Binance requires users to be 18 or older. Entering a birthdate under 18 will be rejected.
Q: What documents should users from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan use for KYC? A: HK/Macao residence permits or passports, and Taiwan ID cards or passports are all supported. Just select the corresponding option under the country selection.
Summary
The Binance KYC Level 2 process: Identity Verification → Select Document → Upload Front & Back → Facial Recognition → Wait 30 minutes to 7 days. First-time submissions with excellent quality are usually approved within 30 minutes. Keys to improving the first-time pass rate: Clear document photos (even lighting, 4 full corners, no glare) + removing all obstructions during facial recognition + matching registered info with the document. After 3 failures, it shifts to a manual review taking 7-14 days. Level 2 is sufficient for regular users, while Level 3 is only for high-net-worth individuals. Immediately enable 2FA + Anti-Phishing Code + Withdrawal Whitelist after KYC is approved.