K-3 Visa and Non-Immigrant Status

[alcearosa 0]

Hello,

Does anyone know if you have to give up your Health Insurance in Canada while on a K-3? It's a non-immigrant visa so that would mean i'm still a resident of Canada, correct?

[neiks 19]

From my point of view (being a Canada custom) perspective, you are a NON-resident of Canada. You have been granted permission and a status by the US - thus once you have activated your visa you are now considered by Canada to have legal status in the US and therefore a resident of the US. Depending on what province you live in they may give you a certain period of time inwhich you can still be covered under health insurance after moving from Canada. I know in Manitoba that I will be covered for an additional 3 months after moving to the US.

[Reba 2]

nope, you are no longer a resident of Canada, because you are moving to the US with intent to stay and will in time have permanent resident status.

In Ontario as soon as you move with intent to stay away from Canada, you are no longer eligible for OHIP benefits and must notify them of your departure. To use OHIP after you have moved is fraud, and IMO, testing the fates just a bit much. Tho I do know that people do it.

[Jersey Girl 2]

To reiterate, and get other people's opinions:

You might consider having your baby in BC and then entering on your K3. Aussiewench or someone here may have an answer on how long you can sit on a K3 before using it for the first time.

But once you enter, there's no more BC health insurance, unless there's a short grace period. You need to start investigating U.S. health insurance now. If your husband has benefits at work, find out if you'll need a social security number before they'll take you on.

There are companies that provide short-term insurance for foreign visitors. And others that provide discounts on out-of-pocket expenses in exchange for a low monthly membership fee.