Who to Notify When Leaving Hong Kong

Moving overseas is an exciting milestone. But before you hand over your keys and board your flight, there are important steps to take care of in Hong Kong. Notifying the right organisations before you leave will help you avoid complications after you go, whether that is unresolved tax obligations, missed refunds, or services continuing to charge you from the other side of the world.

To make things as easy as possible, Allied has created this guide for you to use as a starting point. Your personal situation, including your visa status, employment type, and length of stay, will determine which of these apply to you.

If you hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card (HKID), you are not required to cancel it when leaving. However, if you are a non-permanent resident and your visa or entry permit is expiring, make sure your status is in order before departure. If you are renouncing permanent residency, contact the Immigration Department directly to understand the process.

Before leaving Hong Kong, you should settle any outstanding tax obligations. If you are employed, your employer is required to notify the IRD at least one month before your departure by filing a Notification of Departure (IR56G). After this, you will receive a tax assessment and will need to pay any outstanding tax before you can leave. Make sure your employer is aware of your departure date well in advance.

If you are self-employed, you will need to notify the IRD yourself.

If you are leaving Hong Kong permanently, you may be eligible to make an early withdrawal of your MPF contributions. You will need to submit a claim to your MPF trustee and provide evidence that you are leaving permanently, typically a copy of your visa or right of abode in your destination country. Processing times vary, so start this early.

If you are registered as a voter in Hong Kong, you can apply to be removed from the electoral register. This is optional but recommended if you do not plan to return.

Contact your bank or banks well before your departure. Decide whether you want to keep your Hong Kong accounts open for receiving payments or managing assets in Hong Kong, or close them entirely. If you are closing accounts, arrange for any automatic payments or direct debits to be cancelled first.

If you hold investments, insurance policies, or a pension outside of MPF, contact your providers to update your details or discuss your options.

Give your utility providers enough notice to arrange a final meter reading and process any deposits owed to you.

• CLP or HK Electric (electricity): typically requires a few days' notice

• Town Gas (Hong Kong and China Gas): contact to arrange disconnection and deposit refund

• Water Services: notify the Water Supplies Department to close your account

• Broadband and telephone: contact your provider (HKBN, SmarTone, HKT, or others) to terminate your contract. Check for early termination fees if you are still within a contract period.

You can apply for a mail redirection service through Hongkong Post to have your mail forwarded to your new address overseas for a set period. This may be useful during the transition while you update your address with various organisations.

Cancel or update any ongoing subscriptions, including streaming services, gym memberships, club memberships, professional associations, and any other recurring payments linked to your Hong Kong address or bank account.

Give your employer formal written notice of your resignation in line with your contract. Confirm your final salary payment date and make sure you receive your final payslip. If you are entitled to any remaining annual leave payout or severance, confirm this in writing with your HR department.

Your employer will handle the IRD notification (IR56G) on your behalf, but it is worth following up to make sure this has been done within the required timeframe.

If you are moving with children, notify their school as early as possible and request copies of academic records and any transfer documentation you may need for enrolment in your destination country.

Request copies of your medical and dental records from your GP and any specialists. While digital records are becoming more common, having physical copies can be useful when registering with new providers overseas.

If you own a vehicle in Hong Kong, you have a few options: sell it before you leave, or arrange for it to be exported. If you are exporting, contact the Transport Department regarding deregistration and speak with an international moving specialist about shipping options.

If you use an Octopus card for transport, you can return it at any MTR customer service centre for a refund of the remaining balance and deposit.

Some of these steps, particularly MPF withdrawal and tax clearance, can take several weeks to process. We recommend starting your notifications at least two to three months before your departure date to avoid delays.