[cybrgeezer]

I am an American boy with a question about a family situation that involves a Canadian and I hope someone here has the knowledge to help.

We have a family member who has been snowbirding for about 26-27 years now, between South Florida and Alberta. This family member, American, has a Canadian companion/caretaker, thus the reason for spending about half the year in Canada.

The American is soon to be 96 and is frail, feeling unable to meet the rigors of moving between the homes yet again. His companion, the Canadian, is 92 and has decided to remain in Florida full-time with him.

My question is this: Is there any legal way she can remain in the U.S. without sacrificing her Canadian benefits? I admit I don't know just what benefits she has, but her family is concerned that her health coverage would be sacrificed. While she is very healthy and her only prescription is in her glasses, she is 92 and things can change in a hurry.

So, have any of you TV Canadians looked into this for yourselves and found any loopholes? Can she get a pass based on her age? Is there any help out there?

Thanks for sharing any knowledge you have that can help.

[Talk Host]

This is a wonderful question. I hope somebody can give you some good information.

[villages07]

Not being facetious...but, what if they got married? What benefits would she derive, what would she give up?

[another Linda]

Originally Posted by villages07

Not being facetious...but, what if they got married? What benefits would she derive, what would she give up?

One of my sons married a Canadian, and all I know is that marriage does not automatically mean that the Canadian can stay in the US legally. My son and DIL spent thousands of $ on an immigration attorney to help them with the paperwork which they couldn't seem to get right (he with an MD and she with a masters couldn't figure it out!) One of the things they had to prove was that their marriage was real and not one of convenience. I would think the 96 and 92 year old couple would have to prove she was more than a caretaker.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by cybrgeezer

My question is this: Is there any legal way she can remain in the U.S. without sacrificing her Canadian benefits? I admit I don't know just what benefits she has, but her family is concerned that her health coverage would be sacrificed. While she is very healthy and her only prescription is in her glasses, she is 92 and things can change in a hurry.

So, have any of you TV Canadians looked into this for yourselves and found any loopholes? Can she get a pass based on her age? Is there any help out there?

I am a Canadian. Excuse me while I climb on my soap box. This is one of my pet peeves. I'd love to live full time in The Villages. I've talked to Immigration lawyers and investigated the issue thoroughly. (If anyone out there knows anything further, I'd love to hear it).

Here are my thoughts. There are two issues.

1. Health Care Provided by Canada

My husband's work covers me for health care when I'm not in Canada. Otherwise I would buy travel insurance. Basically, if anything goes dreadfully wrong, they'll fly me back to Canada (Ontario) where I'm covered by Canada's "medicare".

In Ontario, if we are out of the province for more than seven months per calendar year, we lose OHIP, our socialized medicine. And we have to reapply when we get back to Ontario, with a three month wait for coverage. So most people make sure they are not out of the country for more than seven months in a calendar year.

The residency requirement is different for some provinces, so it may be different for your friend from Alberta.

I would gladly give up my Canadian health benefits and pay for health cxare in the US if I could live in TV full time.

2. Permission from the US Government to stay in the US

Currently I am permitted to stay in the US 182 days in any calendar year. I fall into the category of "non-resident alien". My passport is checked at the border when I cross. I must submit a form to the US Government every year stating the amount of time (less than 182 days) that I spent in the US.

I obtained a green card (working visa) and worked in California some years ago for a five-year period. I did this by applying for permission based on the fact that I could offer an essential skill that wasn't available in the US. Also, I had a CEO of a company sponser me and provide employment.

Now that I'm retired, it is my understanding that there are only two ways I can obtain a visa.

I can invest a million dollars in a risky US venture with no guarantee of a payback. The US government would then issue me a visa. There are some condo opportunities in Jay Peak, Vermont, which qualify for this type of visa. If you have a million dollars.

Or, I can buy and operate a business which provides jobs for US citizens. I must manage the business and prove yearly that is is viable and makes a profit. It cannot be a "pretend" business. Since I have no desire to abandon retirement and start working again, this option is out for me.

So .... this is all I know about immigration to the US. There are thousands of snow birds in a similar situation. We own houses in the US. We pay property taxes in the US. And yet we are only permitted to live in our houses 182 days per year.

If anyone knows of a loophole in the system, please post it here. Or PM me.
I'd love to hear from you.

I'd be one happy camper if I could live in The Villages full time!

[duffysmom]

Barefoot, many people and animals would be happy if you lived here full time. Hope you find a way.....

[Pturner]

Oh Barefoot, I love you dearly and so wish it too!

[EdV]

So why not become a US citizen?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

So why not become a US citizen?

Thank you to DuffysMom and PTurner for very, very kind comments.

EdvinMass ... it is very difficult to become a US citizen. If I could, I'd do it tomorrow. You need grounds, you can't automatically qualify. Canadians cannot qualify on refugee status.

Some people in the US are amazed that it is so difficult for Canadians to stay for more than 182 days in a calendar year. But that is the decision of the US government. I wish it were different, believe me!

If I could become a US citizen, I'd do it tomorrow. I absolutely hate it when April comes and I have to leave for six months. I miss my wonderful friends so much. In September I start getting really excited. I love it when October comes and I get to return to The Bubble.

Perhaps it is the Universe's way to make me appreciate my time in TV even more.

[chuckinca]

Go to Mexico, become a Mexican citizen, sneak across the border, you home free!


.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Talk to John and Patty at Brusters ice cream....................maybe they could work out a deal with you and you could both be happy.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by otherbruddaDarrell

Talk to John and Patty at Brusters ice cream....................maybe they could work out a deal with you and you could both be happy.

Actually, Darrell, it would be an excellent idea to buy a business. As long as I could find a trustworthy manager. I've always liked Brusters icecream, and I've met met JohnZ. He is a great guy. Sadly, Brusters is a seasonal business and therefore wouldn't qualify for immigration purposes. If I could find a thriving business I would certainly consider purchasing it, just for the opportunity to live in the US.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Brusters is seasonal for the time being............as soon as the new VA center opens I think you will see a lot of potential for year round operation.
The weather this winter has also played a big part I would imagine.

[another Linda]

I wonder what hoops you'd have to jump through if you bought a business? We couldn't believe that my DIH had such a hard time. They were even put on a "suspect" list because even though they were married, her visa was still only a tourist visa and they felt she was likely to over-stay her visa. What a waste of time and money -- our tax money and all the money they spent for the immigration lawyer.

[Dougout]

We recently rented the movie, "The Proposal" which portrayed a very humorous look at all of this.

There is a great deal of irony here. If you come here legally you must jump through the mentioned hoops but if you come here illegally the only hoop you need to jump through is not committing a serious crime.

Otherwise you can stay as long as you like without paperwork.

I love this country but the way we handle immigration makes us look like a banana republic.