Leaving is its own project, and the mistakes are expensive: a lost security deposit, a frozen EPF balance, a messy final tax year, or an unreported departure. Treat it as a 90-day countdown and it stays calm. Most of it is part of IKAN's departure services, your consultant manages the lease exit, the registration close-out and the move, and this guide shows the whole arc so you know what's happening and what's yours to confirm.
The exit essentials, don't leave without these
Immigration
Surrender your Residential Permit (RP) to the registration office or to immigration at exit; report your departure to FRRO
Tax
Final return + exit planning with your advisor; some cases need a tax-clearance certificate
Money
Recover your deposit, settle utilities, and close or convert your bank account & EPF
Goods
Book the outbound move early, reverse shipping & customs take weeks
90 days out
Set the plan in motion
1
Give noticeConfirm your lease notice period (often 1 to 2 months) and serve it in writing; tell HR/relocation your dates.
2
Book the outbound moveReverse shipping and export customs take weeks, get quotes and lock dates now. Your consultant coordinates the mover.
3
Request school transfer certificatesAsk each school for the Transfer Certificate (TC) and records your next country will need.
4
Brief your tax advisorYour exit financial year and residency split need planning, flag the leaving date early.
60 days out
Wind down what you'll leave
1
Decide what ships, sells or staysSell or hand on the car, furniture and appliances you won't ship; book the packers for what you will.
2
Schedule the move-out inspectionAgree a date with your landlord/society so deposit deductions are clear and fair.
3
Notify your providersGive notice to internet, gas, the society and any subscriptions so final bills land before you go.
30 days out
Close the accounts
1
Settle & cancel utilitiesPay final electricity, gas, water and internet; cancel connections and get no-dues confirmations.
2
Recover your security depositComplete the inspection, agree deductions, and get the refund before you hand back keys, not after.
3
Close or convert your bank accountOn becoming non-resident again you may convert to an NRO account; settle standing instructions and cards.
4
Sort your EPFIf your country has a Social Security Agreement, you can remit/withdraw your EPF on completing your assignment; otherwise it's locked until age 58, when it pays out to an Indian bank account.
The final week & at the airport
Exit clean
1
Surrender your Residential PermitHand your Residential Permit (RP) to the registration office, or to the immigration officer at the airport, and report your departure to FRRO. An exit permit is only needed if your visa has expired or you overstayed (allow a week or two).
2
Arrange your final tax returnYour advisor files the exit-year return and any clearance, keep your Form 16, day-count log and TRC.
3
Hand over the homeReturn keys only after the deposit is settled; leave a forwarding address and references for your domestic staff.
4
Keep copies of everythingLease, no-dues letters, deposit refund proof, tax filings, RP surrender acknowledgement, you may need them for your next assignment or your home tax return.
The two most-missed exits: not reporting your departure / surrendering your RP (it can complicate a future India visa), and leaving before your security deposit is back in hand. Settle both before you fly.
Your support
How IKAN helps
Our departure services manage your lease exit, move-out inspection and deposit recovery
Our immigration team handles the FRRO close-out / exit permit where needed
We coordinate the outbound move and connect you to your tax advisor for the exit year
We make sure utilities, society and accounts are closed with no loose ends
Departure · final checklist
Lease notice served; outbound move booked
School transfer certificates collected
Utilities settled & cancelled; deposit recovered
Bank account closed/converted; EPF withdrawn if eligible
RP surrendered & departure reported; final tax return arranged
Go deeper
The full step-by-step
Want every form, fee, document and pitfall? These deep-dive guides carry the complete detail.
Leaving India Well, full checklist →A 60-30-14-7-day countdown
A good exit protects everything you set up. We'll run the departure with you, so India ends as calmly as it began.
Your IKAN Relocations team