How long can an American stay in Canada?
 

How long can an American stay in Canada, continuously, without a visa?

If they don't take employment or use the social system I don't think there's a limit. <BR><BR>However such a passive existance would be unlikely since sooner or later you would require one or the other and in order to get employment you need to apply for a work permit which in most cases you have to do from outside the country. If you are successful at thatyou would then receive a Social Insurance Number, (SIN), which would give you access to the social network. After two or three years of working on permit without problems you are entitled to apply for landed residency <BR>and Canadian Citizenship. Under NAFTA the system is very much streamlined for Americans wanting to work in Canada and vice versa but nowhere near as easy as in Europe.<BR><BR>The former is probably the simplest way to get landed residency in Canada but you can go through the process of getting landed residency at a consulate or embassy. I don't think that's what you're interested in anyhow.

180 days.<BR><BR>http://travel.state.gov/canada.html

Thanks!

I have a question about that 6 months, or 180 days. One, how can you be tracked? I have entered at highway crossings and the immigration officer did not even ask me my name.<BR>Secondly, what if you return for one night to the US, does that start a new 180 day period?

You got it Bob! Which goes back to the first paragraph of my original answer. If you don't work and you don't draw on the social system who's to know? My parents have spent 6 months less a few days in Palm Springs every winter for the last 20 years. They return before 6 months are up not to avoid being kicked out of the US but to avoid Internal Revenue considering them US residents subject to US Income Tax. So the onus would be on them to prove they have not stayed in the US for a continuous period over 6 months.<BR><BR> Canada couldn't care less how much time they spend out of the country so long as they pay their IT to Revenue Canada and the US would only be too happy to claim them as residents so they could grab some of their money.

Hi Gary - question re your parents staying in the US - I thought a Canadian (or perhaps I mean Ontarian) lost their health care coverage if they were out of the country for more than 6 months? Or is that an urban legend?

Elizabeth S.....this site will answer your questions regarding out-of-Canada Health Care. Since 1999 rules and regulations have changed........http://www.gov.on.ca/health/english/...p/longer.html/

Actually, for Ontario residents it is now 7 months. Its not an urban legend. Lots of people stay away longer and still use their OHIP cards, visit their doctor for check ups etc. They get away with this &quot;little fraud&quot;. <BR><BR>The problem arises when you have a major surgery/hospital stay. Then they can and will (in some cases) start checking. And it is easy for them to show you were away, ie: phone bills in the states, banking transactions etc. Thats when the problem generally happens, after a whopping hospital bill that they refuse to pay and you probably cant afford. And by then its too late....Thats how people lose their OHIP coverage. It can also difficult to purchase the extended coverage for the stay in the States past the legal allowed time.

Again I say - as long as the person out of the country is up to date on any payments doesn't make any claims on OHIP or BC Medical or whatever provincial care they're under while they're than why would they lose their coverage? Furthermore BC Medical at least will only cover what that treatment would cost in Canada so unless you have extended coverage for your stay in the States you're going to be out of packet

For those of us considering full-status expatriation to Canada who are not too far from retirement age, can someone give us an idea of how the &quot;average&quot; Canadian prepares for retirement? <BR><BR>I assume there's some equivalent of American social security but is there a set number of years you have to be earning/working/living there to qualify? And I also assume that, like the American version, it wouldn't really be enough to live on -- so is there a Canadian equivalent of 401(K)'s or 403(B)'s with matching funds from employers? Or is it simply a matter of having one's own savings?<BR><BR>Thanks, Canadian friends, who have been welcoming those whose conscience can no longer allow them to remain in America through many eras in American history.

soccr, you can read about the Canadian retirement income system, covering Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and private pension plans at http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/isp/ris/rismain_e.shtml

Thanks, ron, that's an exceptionally helpful website.

Soccr.......if you are thinking of heading up north, this should help you.<BR><BR>http://www.standonguard.com/index2.html

As to how long.<BR><BR>I know a person who moved here at five years old about 30 years ago. This person lives off a trust fund and rental income from three properties here.<BR><BR>This person pays taxes to both countries.<BR><BR>Definately an atypical case.<BR><BR>Damn I have forgotten their name.....

Goldwynn, merci et merci. En avance!