How to Write a Resignation Letter in Hong Kong (2026 Guide + Templates)
Kenji Farre, Director · Apr 28, 2026 · 8 min read
What this article covers
Most resignation letter guides give you a one-paragraph template and call it a day. This guide does more. It walks you through the legal mechanics of resigning in Hong Kong: the Employment Ordinance rules on notice, when you can leave immediately without penalty, how payment in lieu actually gets calculated, and what to do when your employer does something unusual like put you on garden leave or refuse your resignation. Then it gives you templates for the six situations you're most likely to face.
The 30-second version
In Hong Kong, you usually need to give written notice to resign. The length of notice depends on what your contract says, but it can never be shorter than seven days after your first month of employment. Most permanent employees give one month's notice. You can leave earlier by paying your employer in lieu of notice, calculated from your average wages over the past 12 months. You don't have to give a reason for resigning, and a short, polite letter is almost always enough.
What the law actually requires
The starting point for any resignation in Hong Kong is the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57).
Notice periods
Under section 6 of the Employment Ordinance, your notice period depends on your probation status and what your contract says. The default rules are:
- During the first month of probation: Either party can terminate without notice or payment in lieu.
- After the first month, contract silent: Minimum seven days' written notice.
- After the first month, contract specifies notice: Contractual notice applies but cannot be shorter than seven days.
- Continuous contract, no specified notice, past probation: Default is one month.
Most office-based contracts in Hong Kong specify one or three months' notice for permanent employees. Senior roles, especially in banking, finance, and legal, often have three to six months. Read your contract before you write the letter.
A 'month' means what the law says it means
If your notice period is one month and you give notice on 13 February, your last day is 12 March, not the 13th. The Employment Ordinance defines a 'month' of notice as ending the day before the corresponding date in the following month. If you give notice on the last day of February, you finish on the last day of March.
Payment in lieu of notice
You can leave earlier by paying your employer the equivalent of your wages for the unworked portion. Your employer can also pay you out instead of asking you to serve. The calculation is based on your 12-month average wages, including commissions and allowances, not just basic salary.
The formula: if notice is in days or weeks, (total wages in last 12 months ÷ 365) × number of days unworked. If notice is in months, (total wages in last 12 months ÷ 12) × number of months unworked. The Hong Kong Labour Department publishes a free 12-Month Average Wages Calculator that does the maths for you.
When you can resign immediately
Section 10 of the Employment Ordinance lets you walk out immediately, without notice or payment in lieu, if:
- You reasonably fear physical danger from the work.
- A registered medical practitioner certifies you are permanently unfit for the work.
- Your employer has materially breached the contract. For example, by failing to pay your wages, by physically ill-treating you, or by other serious misconduct.
In any of these cases, document the reasons in writing in case it ends up at the Labour Tribunal.
You don't need to give a reason
You're under no legal or professional obligation to explain why you're leaving. A short, neutral letter without a reason is entirely acceptable.
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What to include in a Hong Kong resignation letter
A good resignation letter has six elements and fits on a single page:
- Date: the date you give the letter to your manager.
- Recipient: your direct manager, with name and title.
- Clear statement of resignation: "I am writing to formally tender my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name]."
- Last working day: calculated precisely from your notice period.
- Brief expression of gratitude: one or two sentences.
- Offer to support the handover.
Leave out: complaints, feedback about the company, criticisms of colleagues, your reasons for leaving, and any negotiating language.
How to deliver it
Email is the standard way to deliver a resignation letter in Hong Kong in 2026. The sequence most professionals follow:
- Tell your manager directly, in a 1:1 conversation. Brief, calm, no surprises.
- Within a few hours, send the formal resignation letter by email.
- Cc HR if your company's policy or your contract requires it.
- Keep a copy for your records.
Don't resign by text message, by leaving a note on someone's desk, or by ghosting. None of those count as proper notice under the Employment Ordinance.
Six resignation letter templates for Hong Kong
Template 1: The standard resignation (one month's notice)
[Date]
[Manager's name], [Manager's title], [Company name]
Dear [Manager's name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name]. In line with my contractual notice period, my last working day will be [date].
Thank you for the opportunities I've had during my time here.
Over the next month, I'll do everything I can to ensure a smooth handover. I'm happy to document my ongoing projects, train a replacement if one is identified in time, or provide any other support that would help the transition.
Yours sincerely, [Your name]
Template 2: Resigning after probation (seven days' notice)
[Date]
Dear [Manager's name],
I'm writing to give formal notice of my resignation from my position as [job title], effective seven days from today. My last working day will be [date].
I appreciate the opportunity to have joined [company name], but after careful consideration I've decided this role isn't the right long-term fit for me.
I'll do my best to wrap up my current responsibilities cleanly during the notice period.
Yours sincerely, [Your name]
Template 3: Resigning with payment in lieu of notice
[Date]
Dear [Manager's name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [job title]. Due to [brief reason], I would like to leave on [date] rather than serve my full notice period.
In accordance with section 7 of the Employment Ordinance, I will pay [company name] the equivalent of [number] days/weeks/months of wages in lieu of the unworked notice period. I'd appreciate confirmation from HR of the calculated amount based on my 12-month average wages.
Thank you for the opportunities I've had at [company name]. I'll do my best to hand over my responsibilities before my last day.
Yours sincerely, [Your name]
Template 4: Immediate resignation due to employer breach
[Date]
Dear [Manager's name],
I am writing to formally resign from my position as [job title] at [company name], with immediate effect.
I am exercising my right to terminate the contract without notice under section 10 of the Employment Ordinance, on the grounds that [brief, factual statement of the breach — e.g., "the company has failed to pay my wages for [period]"].
I expect [company name] to settle all outstanding wages, accrued annual leave, and any other statutory entitlements within seven days, in accordance with section 25 of the Employment Ordinance.
Yours sincerely, [Your name]
If you're in a situation serious enough to need this letter, get advice before sending. The Labour Department offers free consultations and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) has detailed guidance.
Template 5: Resigning during garden leave
[Date]
Dear [Manager's name],
Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name].
As discussed earlier today, I understand that the company will be placing me on garden leave for the duration of my notice period. My last day on the company's books will be [date].
During garden leave, I will continue to comply with all my contractual obligations, including the duty of confidentiality and any restrictive covenants that survive my employment.
I'll work with HR to return all company property and complete any required exit procedures.
Yours sincerely, [Your name]
Template 6: Resigning to join a competitor
[Date]
Dear [Manager's name],
Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from my position as [job title] at [company name]. My final working day will be [date], in line with my contractual notice period.
I want to inform you in advance that I have accepted a role at [new employer]. I have reviewed my contract carefully, and I will of course comply with all post-termination obligations during the relevant restriction periods.
I'm committed to a clean handover and will return all confidential information and company property before my final day.
Yours sincerely, [Your name]
In Hong Kong, post-termination restrictive covenants are presumptively void unless the employer can prove they're reasonable to protect a legitimate business interest. They're enforced more rarely than people assume, but don't assume yours is unenforceable without legal advice, especially in financial services and senior roles.
Edge cases most guides ignore
What if my employer refuses to accept my resignation?
They can't. Resignation is a unilateral act. You don't need their consent. Once you've given proper notice in writing, your contract will end at the close of the notice period whether your employer "accepts" the resignation or not. If they argue otherwise, send a follow-up email confirming the date of notice and your calculated last day, and keep both letters on file.
Can I take my outstanding annual leave during the notice period?
This depends on your contract and employer's policy. The Employment Ordinance doesn't give you an automatic right to use annual leave during notice. In practice, most employers will let you do so or pay it out as part of your final settlement. Raise it with HR early.
What about my MPF and final pay?
Your employer is required to settle all outstanding wages, accrued leave pay, and any other statutory entitlements within seven days of your contract ending (section 25). Late payment exposes the employer to penalty. Your MPF accrued benefits are yours regardless of how you leave. And since the May 2025 abolition of the offsetting arrangement, employers can no longer use MPF contributions to offset severance or long service payments for post-transition employment periods.
Do I have to attend an exit interview?
Legally, no. Practically, it's often useful. It's where any feedback you have actually gets heard, and where employers confirm final pay calculations. Final pay cannot lawfully be conditioned on attendance.
What if my new role's start date overlaps my notice period?
This is more common than people admit. You can offer to pay your current employer for the unworked portion (payment in lieu) and leave early. Some employers will agree to release you without payment if you've handled the handover cleanly. Don't start the new role until you've formally ended the current one. Being employed by two companies simultaneously can void terms in your new contract and complicate everything from MPF to immigration status.
After you've sent the letter
Expect an offboarding meeting with HR, possibly a release or settlement document to sign, and discussions about extending or shortening notice. Some thoughts:
- Don't sign anything you haven't read. Release letters often contain post-termination obligations you didn't have before. Read carefully and get advice if unsure.
- Document everything. Keep copies of your resignation letter, the company's acknowledgement, your final payslip, your MPF statement, and any other paperwork.
- Ask for a reference letter before you leave. Hong Kong employers aren't legally required to provide one, but most will if you ask while still on good terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can I resign by email or text message in Hong Kong?
Email yes. It's the standard. Text message is technically possible but unprofessional and risky as evidence.
Do I need to give a reason for resigning?
No. You're under no legal or professional obligation to explain why you're leaving.
Can I retract my resignation?
Only with your employer's agreement. Once you've given notice, you can't unilaterally withdraw it.
Will resigning affect my visa if I'm a foreigner working in Hong Kong?
If you're on an employment-sponsored visa (such as a GEP visa), resigning generally requires you to either leave Hong Kong, find a new sponsoring employer, or change your visa category. The Immigration Department typically gives a short grace period after your last working day, but check your specific visa conditions.
Should I tell my colleagues before I tell my manager?
No. Always tell your manager first.
A final thought
Resigning in Hong Kong is a straightforward process if you handle it cleanly. Read your contract, write a short professional letter, deliver it the right way, and use your notice period to leave the company in better shape than you found it. Most regret about how people resigned isn't about the decision to leave, it's about how they handled the exit.
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