[rsam1277]

I will be leaving H.K with my husband in a couple of months but am feeling a little lost with regard to practical matters! Who do I need to inform for mpf or immigration purposes? Is there a practical check list of what to do?I would apreciate any help. Thanks

[dk105001]

I'm sorry I can't help with the immigration side of things - you could check the website http://www.immd.gov.hk/index.html in case that has anything.
I have a practical checklist some of which I've listed out below. I work well with checklists and calendars so this works for me- but don't let the list daunt you. The key things would be to make sure you give notices within the minimum periods for things like school and housing, figuring out where your mail will get forwarded and schooling for kids (if you have any) in the country of relocation.

1. House wrap-up :
a movers - get survey done & quotes
b move notice to :
i) landlord
ii) school
iii) school bus
iv) water
v) electricity
vi) gas
vii) phones- landline, mobile
viii) post office
ix) helpers -also immigration authorities
x) internet
xi) cable
c tell friends/people at work
d advise new address to the post office

2. Financial
a .bank account- retain here or close?
b. credit cards - close HK credit card and activate new one
c. decide on how much money to leave here, and figure out how to manage account from overseas
d. get refunds on advances to landlord, utilitiy companies etc
e. taxes- pay HK taxes, advise the revenue authorities of departure
figure out requirements to avoid double taxation in new country
f. pay all outstanding bills

It goes on like this....But you get the idea, I'm sure. It isn't that bad. you have two months which is a lot of time. For most services (apart from housing and school) you need to give one month notice or less.

[KnowItAll]

One thing you should do, if your company has an HR department is have a chat with them. Quite often, people have entered into long term contracts (mobile phones etc..) which can cause losses.

A fair number of companies will cover those losses if the move is unexpected.

[greentea]

Obviously, you should ask HR staff to help out. Ultimately, the most important things are the financial and bank things.

[rsam1277]

Thank you all for your help, this has eased my mind.

[SalseroHK]

any news on the immigration side? I am leaving HK on the weekend already but could not reach immigration + find no info on their website.
do I have to give back my HK ID at the immigration dept? or when I am at the border?

any advice?
thanks

[dk105001]

I left Hong Kong in early July. You don't need to hand in your ID or tell them anything, unless they ask. Your firm will retain a month's salary till the revenue dept issues something called a release letter. If you already have this letter, you should keep it accessible during immigration clearance in case they ask. The release letter essentially says that you've paid all taxes, and that your firm can release the last month's pay.

Even without the release letter there should not be any problems. Checking with the firm HR really would be best at this late stage. For someone leaving HK who has time, you could pay taxes in advance & get the release letter. Took me less than a half hour to do it, but of course you need to let the rev dept know that they need to make a claim etc. in advance.

We weren't asked anything at immigration, so this is probably not necessary. just FYI

[SalseroHK]

thanks for the posting!
I left Saturday and although I told immigration I was leaving he was not interested at all and just handed me back my HK ID.

I had solved the letter of release for MPF already.

cheers

[KnowItAll]

Time to change that "Midlevels East" location.

[SalseroHK]

thanks for the hint but where do I change the location in the new profile? I changed all to shanghai but here in this thread it still shows 'Midlevels' as location.

thanks