Leaving China

What needs to be done before you fly

In rough order, allow 4–6 weeks:

1. **Notify your employer** — the standard 30-day notice for resignation triggers the work-permit cancellation timeline. 2. **Tax reconciliation** — the final IIT for the year is filed with the local tax bureau. Provided you're below the high-bracket cliff, this is typically a clearance procedure rather than a payment. Get the **final tax payment certificate (完税证明)** — needed at the airport or for transferring funds out. 3. **Work permit and residence permit cancellation** — the employer files at the PSB. You receive a 30-day notice-to-depart visa as a transitional document. 4. **Sell or ship personal effects** — through a relocation specialist or via second-hand WeChat groups for in-country sales. 5. **Close mobile and internet contracts** — most chains process closure online. 6. **Close bank accounts** — at the original opening branch. Bring passport and any USB-keys/security devices. Most banks accept an in-person closure even if the account has a small balance. 7. **Transfer remaining CNY out** — under the standard quota (USD $50,000 equivalent per year per person), with the tax clearance certificate. Larger transfers need additional documentation. 8. **Cancel building registration** — at the local police station (this is the foreigner-residence registration the landlord did at move-in). 9. **Return the apartment** — landlord inspection, deposit settlement, utility final bills. 10. **Final flight booking** — passport must be valid 6+ months on departure (this catches many people).

Tax clearance details

Without the final tax payment certificate, you cannot legally:

• Transfer the bulk of your CNY savings out via the standard FX quota.
• Receive your final salary if it was held pending clearance.
• Cancel your residence permit cleanly (some PSB offices ask for it).

The final reconciliation often produces a small refund or small additional payment, depending on the year's deductions claimed.

Shipping personal effects

• International movers quote on a cubic-metre basis. Sea freight from Beijing/Shanghai to most international destinations runs $3,000–$10,000 USD for a standard 2-3 person household, taking 6–10 weeks.
• Air freight for urgent items — much more expensive ($5–$10/kg), 1–2 week transit.
• Customs export documentation — handled by the mover. Some categories (antiques, certain artworks) require permits from the Ministry of Culture.

Bank account closure

The bank closure procedure is straightforward but in-person:

1. Visit the original opening branch. 2. Bring passport, debit card, USB key (if issued), and the bank book. 3. The teller closes the account, returns any remaining balance in CNY cash or transfers to another account on your instruction. 4. Cancel the linked Alipay/WeChat Pay card binding before closure.

Pets

If you're taking pets, start the import-paperwork process for the destination country 60+ days before departure. Most countries require: microchip, rabies titer test (typically 30+ days before travel), health certificate within 10 days of travel.

What expats forget

• Old subscriptions on Chinese platforms (iQiyi, Tencent Video, gym memberships) — cancel before leaving the country.
• Investment accounts at Chinese banks — these are harder to close from abroad. Liquidate before departure.
• Hong Kong stock accounts opened via Stock Connect — close if not planning to maintain China exposure.
• WeChat balance — transfer to a bank account before departure; foreign WeChat accounts work but have transaction limits.

After leaving

Your residence permit is no longer valid. To re-enter mainland China, you'll need a fresh visa. Multi-entry tourist or business visas are reasonably easy to get if you have a recent China residence history.