[jude07]

Is it necessary to show a tax clearance certificate at the airport when leaving the country permanently? I don't actually owe any tax as I haven't earnt over $100,000. I'm reluctant to go through the correct process in obtaining any documentation because I left my employer some time ago so there is no question of them withholding any income. They are also unlikely to help me because things were not done properly - working for months before my work visa came through etc. Does anyone know if you are required to show a tax clearance certificate at the airport? Many thanks.

[PDLM]

Er, how would Immigration know that you intended to leave permanently? If you are still within the validity of your Employment Visa then you could go through the e-channel without talking to anyone anyway!

[jude07]

Thanks PDLM. My work visa has been cancelled. I checked with immigration and even though I can't work on it anymore I can legally stay in the country until it expires. The idea was to find another job and give notice of my new employer to immigration but I couldn't find anything decent and have now found a good job abroad. So I thought immigration at the airport might ask me if I was coming back because if I did it would have to be on a tourist visa. If I say no, they might then ask about the tax issue which I obviously want to avoid as I don't think they would take my word for it that I don't owe (although I really don't). Tell me about the echannel though - my HKID must still be valid do you think I can just swipe and go or will I attract attention because of the above. I also know that in some other countries it's the airline staff at check-in that ask to see your tax clearance form. If that is the practice in Hong Kong, then they will certainly ask me because they will see I have a one way ticket. Thanks again.

[PDLM]

The airline certainly won't ask, although they might want evidence of your right to remain in the next country if you have a one-way ticket (it depends on which country and what the immigration policies are there).

If your work visa is still unexpired then I believe you are free to leave and re-enter as you wish up until the expiry - it isn't a case of "next time you leave that's it". That being so I assume that your HKID would still be valid so you would be able simply to go through the e-channel in the normal way. It would only be flagged if your immigration record showed that your Visa had expired and hence that your HKID was no longer valid.

[jude07]

That's great, thank you so much.