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Whatever the reasons for leaving Hong Kong and moving on elsewhere, there are a number of tasks to be completed before departure. Below is information on what to do and how and where to do it: Anyone who registered with their Embassy on arrival now needs to advise them that they are moving on.
Local AuthoritiesAnyone planning to leave Hong Kong for a period of three months or longer must notify the Registration of Persons department. Card holders may be required to surrender the ID card at that time.
Housing IssuesFew foreign residents buy property in Hong Kong, so for the vast majority, home will have been a rented apartment, either furnished or unfurnished. Rental ContractMost people will have either a contract between the landlord and a company representing the tenant or a contract between the tenant and landlord, making this a "personal" lease. The rental contract should clearly state the term of the lease and any terms relating to notice and early termination of the agreement. Neither the landlord nor the tenant can terminate the tenancy agreement unless there is a valid break clause in the agreement. The standard lease is for two years with a break clause built into the contract and agreed by both parties. Notice should always be given in writing. Tenants may have been paying various additional costs including a form of property tax levied quarterly by the government (although the figure is calculated monthly). These payments can be cancelled on departure and it may be possible to get a small refund. However the majority of people renting in Hong Kong will have an exclusive contract and the tax will have been included in their monthly rent. Tenants usually have their own contents insurance which again should be cancelled on departure. At the start of the rental the landlord will have requested a security deposit - generally two months' rent but some landlords request three or more months' rent. The landlord should return this in full unless there are any repairs or replacements required. Owned PropertyAnyone who has bought property will almost certainly have a mortgage which will need to be paid off by the sale proceeds. Some lenders have penalties for early redemption. The whole selling process can take time - typically 2-3 months. If leaving Hong Kong before the final sale has gone through, owners should check whether they need to be there for the final signature or whether it is possible to give power of attorney to a third person. UtilitiesAs with any house move, there are utility bills to be settled and meters to be read. Don't forget that if meters are not outside, access to the property will be required. Leave a forwarding address with all the companies involved. Most of the public utility providers in Hong Kong offer online services which make it easy to close accounts. All are privately owned except the water supplier. Some utility companies will have asked for a deposit when the account was opened and customers should have been given a receipt for this amount. This deposit is refundable when the account is closed. WaterThe Hong Kong Water Supplies Department should be informed 14 days prior to the date the account is to be closed. The final bill will be sent three days after the final meter reading, and any outstanding charges will be deducted from the deposit, if applicable.
GasTowngas supplies 85% of households in Hong Kong. Accounts can be closed online via a downloadable form. Alternatively go in person to one of their customer service centres as listed on their website:
Two working days' notice is required and a technician will make the final meter reading. If a deposit was paid when the account was opened this is offset against any outstanding balance due on the final statement. The balance is then refunded by cheque, together with the final statement. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): For areas not serviced by Towngas it is possible that residents have had LPG cylinders delivered. There are various suppliers. Contact the supplier to arrange termination of delivery and to have cylinders collected if appropriate. ElectricityThere are two main electricity suppliers, Hong Kong Electric Holdings (HEH), which services Hong Kong and Lamma Island, and China Light and Power (CLP), servicing Kowloon, the New Territories and Outlying Islands. HEH have an online facility for terminating an account. It is important to allow at least two working days for a request to be processed. Anyone who has a deposit receipt should post this to them and they will issue a cheque, usually within five working days, or go to a customer service centre and exchange the receipt for cash. The deposit can also be refunded directly into a bank account.
CLP Power ask customers to give at least two working days notice of termination of an account. A termination of electricity account form can be downloaded from the CLP website. This form can be sent online, by fax, by post or in person at one of the customer centres. The deposit, if applicable, may be refunded either in cash at a customer service centre, by cheque within five working days or through bank transfer to a bank account.
Telephone & InternetContact the appropriate provider giving approximately one week's notice for disconnection of the line. For mobile telephones, check the notice period and contact the provider to cancel the contract.
Health Care & Social SecuritySubsidised medical services are available to all eligible residents holding a Hong Kong identity card. However, the majority of foreign workers legally in Hong Kong will have an employer-sponsored health insurance policy for themselves and their families. Cover will normally cease when the employment comes to an end. Private healthcare is also popular among those who do not have employer-sponsored schemes. Any private health insurance cover which has been in force may need to be changed or cancelled. Ensure that health insurance remains valid until arrival in the new country of residence or continues as appropriate. Anyone who has received medical care in Hong Kong (either in a private or state run facility) should ask for their records to be forwarded to their new practitioner. The Department of Health website has downloadable forms which allow details to be changed and requests to be made for transfer of medical records held by state run clinics and facilities. They can be submitted by post or fax or taken in person to a local clinic.
When asking for records to be transferred overseas it is best to go in person to make the request. Few foreign residents will have qualified for any of Hong Kong's limited social security benefits. However, anyone who has been receiving such benefits must contact their payments office prior to departure.
Those who have been employed or self-employed may have been making contributions to a Mandatory Provident Fund in preparation for retirement benefits. Under some circumstances benefits accrued may be transferred to another scheme. If not they remain in a preserved account for the future. The employer or fund management company can provide assistance with this. Business & Tax IssuesBankingTo settle all the final bills it is likely that a bank account will still be needed for a short period. Non-residents are allowed to have bank accounts in Hong Kong so it may be a good idea to leave an account open. Remember to cancel direct debits and any e-banking facility which may be running. Ideally accounts should be closed in person, but many banks will allow this to be done in writing or even online. It is common for banks to charge fees for closing an account. Credit card companies will also need to be notified of a new address for statements. TaxResidents leaving Hong Kong must have cleared their tax liability before they leave the country. This applies equally to employees whose companies have been taking care of their tax liability. They should speak to the appropriate department at their place of work to ensure that matters are taken care of. As this is a complex issue and not everyone will have been resident in Hong Kong for tax purposes, it is best to check with the tax office as soon as possible and to seek the advice and help of a professional if necessary.
As a rule, tax clearance can be processed quite quickly as long as the authorities are given all the relevant information. In certain cases they will agree to estimate a tax figure but they warn that this could be a much larger figure than is actually due and is therefore best avoided. CorrespondenceHong Kong Post provides a mail redirection service for three months, which can be extended for another 12 months. There is a charge for this service, and five working days' notice is required. An application must be signed by all family members/residents aged 11 and above. A Hong Kong ID or passport number is required for each person. For children under 11, it is sufficient to write the word "CHILD" in the ID box of the form. Applications can be submitted at a postal counter or sent by post. Applicants will be asked to produce original ID documents plus a copy of each. If applying by post, it is necessary to send a copy of each applicant's ID plus a copy of proof of the former address of the principal applicant, such as a utilities bill from the current or previous month. After processing, these copies will be returned to the principal applicant.
Vehicles & DrivingHong Kong law states that if a vehicle is to be permanently exported from Hong Kong, the registered keeper of the vehicle must notify the Commissioner for Transport in writing within 15 days of the export. The owner must return the registration document and the vehicle licence. Address all correspondence relating to vehicle export to:
Check with the new country of residence for any restrictions and taxes which may be due on arrival with a vehicle. Driving LicencesIn certain circumstances it is possible to drive in Hong Kong for up to 12 months on a valid overseas licence or an international driver's licence. Otherwise it is necessary to hold a full or temporary Hong Kong licence. Full Hong Kong licences are valid for 10 years. When the details of the licence holder change (for example the address) notify the Commissioner for Transport within 72 hours of the change. Failure to do so constitutes an offence which carries a fine. However, in most cases drivers will revert to using or re-applying for licences in the new country of residence. Holders of a full Hong Kong driving licence can apply for an International Drivers' Licence while still in Hong Kon. This is accepted by many countries worldwide and is valid for 12 months.
AnimalsPet owners are allowed to bring their animals into Hong Kong subject to obtaining the necessary permit. To take a pet out of Hong Kong again, owners must obtain a Health Certificate approved by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) from a local vet.
Dogs in Hong Kong must have a licence and the authorities should be told of relocation.
Depending on the destination, some animals may require a period of quarantine. They will almost certainly require documentation and possible additional vaccinations or similar medical treatment. Contact the embassy in the new country of residence for up to date information on importing animals.
Whatever the journey ahead, animals normally have to travel in approved containers and by approved routes.
Note: sudden outbreaks of diseases (for example Avian influenza) can affect pet travel. EducationObviously it is polite to give schools a reasonable amount of notice of your child's departure. Leave a forwarding address for any correspondence. Many foreign children will have been attending schools in the private sector. There may be outstanding bills for school fees, transport or meals to be settled. Most schools will provide an up-to-date report or statement of a child's progress in English if required. InsuranceContact the relevant insurance company and get a proof of "no-Claims Bonus" if applicable. Some insurance companies need three months' written notice to cancel a contract so this should be taken into account when leaving Hong Kong. Further Information
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This is the "Leaving Hong Kong and Moving on" INFOrmation Page at AngloINFO Hong Kong. AngloINFO Hong Kong's INFOrmation Pages provide an online encyclopaedia covering all aspects of "Life in Hong Kong, in English!". AngloINFO Hong Kong is your Hong Kong information source, for everyone living in Hong Kong or moving to Hong Kong, covering everything from the Hong Kong property and real estate contacts you need before and during your move to China, to all aspects of everyday life in the Hong Kong international community for those living their lives in China. » Find out more about AngloINFO in China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
