How Long Can a Canadian Citizen Stay Out Of The Country?
This is a very common question for all the snowbirds of Canada. Who are these snowbirds? Officially known as the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada’s military aerobatics whose intention is to demonstrate the skill, professionalism and teamwork of Canadian forces personnel. They are based at 15 Wing, near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The squadron are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.
Provincial Rules
How long you can stay out of the country depends on your own provincial rules on health insurance eligibility. All provinces, except Ontario and Newfoundland, require you to live in your home province for at least six months plus a day (183 days in most years) to be considered as a permanent resident of that province, and therefore, qualified for provincial health insurance benefits. Ontario allows you to be out of the country for 212 days (seven months) and Newfoundland for eight months without risking loss of your medical care benefits. If you stay out of your province longer than that, you risk losing your residency and health care benefits.
The other set of rules are set by your host country and have nothing to do with the eligibility rules of your home province. Normally, you are entitled to stay in the U.S. for up to six months without a visa as long as the border agent allowing you in feels that you have the wherewithal to support yourself. But, if you overstay that six-month allowance, you could be put on a restricted list and denied entry to the U.S. for a number of years.
To know more about these rules and regulations, you should consult with some renowned tax consultant in Toronto such as The Accounting & Tax. We have been offering professional tax, audit and accounting solutions to individuals and corporate clients since 2001. We are experts in providing tax preparation for Canada and U.S.A. We provide useful knowledge on tax matters and our services are quite economical. We are a tax consultation service in Toronto that prides itself in taking an integrative approach to financial planning, helping clients structure their finances from top to bottom.
