Getting ready to move to the US

[Southern_Canadian 0]

You guys are awesome!! Thanks so much for all of the help!

[Gypsyangel 11]

Wow. wow. wow! What a great list. I was looking for something like this as my move is coming up too! Thank you so much! And here I thought I was almost done ... I have more to do than I thought!

Regarding Canada Post, I'm gonna do a change of address ($185 to the US, yikes!), plus I'm going to change some credit card and bank stuff to my sister's address until I have things set up in the U.S. Also, I read somewhere that it's better to cancel your credit cards slowly, rather than all at once. It affects your credit rating or something, not that it will really matter ... So, if you have a few cards, that's something to take into consideration.

I'm also going to get some pre-paid ExpressPost envelopes and give them to my sister so every once in awhile she can drop an envelope in the mail for me, without too much inconvenience for her.

[Gypsyangel 11]

Also, you might want to add or explore:

- health insurance - how are you going to bridge the gap between your provincial health insurance and getting on your spouse's insurance? Will your current company insure you for an extra couple of weeks; do you need travel insurance (they all seem to want you to have your residence be in Canada, so though people have done this, it makes me a little nervous); or do you need short-term immigrant insurance?

- car insurance - do you need to get on your future spouse's insurance before you go over the border?

- car ownership + emissions letters from manufacturer

- if you have a pet, letters and/or immunization info

- if you have a pet, your pet's favourite foods, in case you can't find it in the U.S. right away

- list of all the contents of what you're moving (which your movers will do if you've hired movers)

- how will you transfer money if you need to do so later (e.g. custom house)

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Thanks for adding to the list!

The Health Insurance part brings up another question that I have. I don't have insurance here in Canada and Eric's company does not offer it. So, when I moved there, we were just going to get it on our own. Now, will they allow me on the insurance even though I am not an American Citizen? Or if I show them my Visa information, will that be enough for them to allow me? I don't know how that all works.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks for adding to the list!

The Health Insurance part brings up another question that I have. I don't have insurance here in Canada and Eric's company does not offer it. So, when I moved there, we were just going to get it on our own. Now, will they allow me on the insurance even though I am not an American Citizen? Or if I show them my Visa information, will that be enough for them to allow me? I don't know how that all works.

Actually, you do have Provincial health coverage and that does count if you were transferring to another insurer upon your arrival. If your husband to be doesn't have insurance then that may or may not make a difference when you decide what plan to buy.

The US doesn't care if you are a US citizen or not - they are just interested in the colour of your money; the more of it you have, the easier it will be to buy insurance. You will have to shop around and the cost can be very dear.

Basically, health care in the US is a for-profit business and health insurers make some of the biggest profits in the country. They try their darndest NOT to cover you and NOT to pay out anything, if they can possibly help it. Your coverage will depend on how much you can afford to pay in premiums and how much you are willing to pay out of pocket on co-pays and deductibles. It is a totally different system than Canada has.

Regarding credit cards, I just didn't bother to renew them when they expired but did transfer the address to my US address for the statements. I did renew one card and still have it for when I am in Canada or need to make Canadian originating purchases and pay it off by on line banking through my remaining Canadian account.

Edited July 3, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Thanks!! Guess I gotta start shopping around for health insurance to try to get somewhat of a good deal. I've heard of people paying about $125 a month.. wonder what the covers and how much you have to pay before the insurance company will pay the rest.

[Southern_Canadian 0]

I called Canada Revenue Agency today to tell them my new address and the day of my move. The nice guy on the phone told me to call International Tax Services Office to advise them of my move, after I move to the States. He said that when it comes time to file my 2008 income taxes, they are the people that I will be dealing with and mailing my stuff to. He also told me that after I get married, I will need to fill out form RC65 from the Canada Revenue Agency to update their inofrmation on my marital status.

The phone number for Canada Revenue Agency is 1-800-959-8281. Or check out their "How to change my address" site

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/topics/income-tax/changeaddress-e.html

To contact the International Tax Services Office click the link below and it will give you a list of phone numbers.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/contact/international-e.html

The RC56 form is located on the below link

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc65/README.html

And the last bit of information that the guy told me is since the recent GST cheque is dated July 4th, I am entitled to it but none after that because it will be issued after the date of my move to the States.

Just wanted to share the useful information that I received today

[Reba 2]

Thanks!! Guess I gotta start shopping around for health insurance to try to get somewhat of a good deal. I've heard of people paying about $125 a month.. wonder what the covers and how much you have to pay before the insurance company will pay the rest.

pffffffft, I'm guessing that doesn't cover anything. I pay over $400 per month for both me and my husband, and that's Subsidized by my employer!

Have your other half ask around with family and friends to find out what companies they use. That's about the easiest way to start researching. Also, if he already has car and home insurance, they might also offer a health coverage as well. But it ain't gonna be cheap!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I called CRA today

I also called my denist, doctor and optomitrist and informed them of my move out of country.

Thanks Lori for all the information!!!

[kimmbo 0]

Wow. wow. wow! What a great list. I was looking for something like this as my move is coming up too! Thank you so much! And here I thought I was almost done ... I have more to do than I thought!

Regarding Canada Post, I'm gonna do a change of address ($185 to the US, yikes!), plus I'm going to change some credit card and bank stuff to my sister's address until I have things set up in the U.S. .

we used my husbands sons address and it was only $37...can you use your sisters address to forward your mail so you wont have to pay the $185? I could and couldnt believe how much it would cost to forward mail to the US...my stepson just gathers all of the mail and sends it at the end of the month to us...

[kimmbo 0]

It looks like you have some great info...heres on old post from Kathryn that I kept in my favorites and looked over many times before we moved

Kathryns post:

If you are going to add him to your insurance, get a statement from his current insurer in Canada that he is covered from (beginning date) to (end date) - especially if there is any sort of a pre-existing health situation - some insurers need proof of continuing insurance coverage if you want to get immediate coverage without a waiting period; get copies of medical tests and reports from doctor and dentist for new US physician's records; set up any bank accounts he is keeping open with an online access; notify all utilities or regular account billers (ie. hydro, internet, phone, insurance, etc.) of date of last service and new address to send last bill on account and KEEP PHOTOCOPIES of all of these notifications (I made up a form letter that I filled in the account number and 'last date' and had to prove to cable company date of receipt) - there may be refunds available on things like insurances; notify Canada Revenue Agency of new address - especially if he receives GST credit since any monies paid after he crosses the border will have to be repaid, plus to receive tax package for year he leaves at new address; keep at least one Canadian account open if he is expecting a refund from CRA next tax year as it makes it easy for direct deposit; notify credit card holders of new address and if necessary, close accounts; obtain copy of Canadian Credit report - may or may not be accepted in the US but could be useful if applying for car loan jointly, etc.; change mailing address with Canada Post (needs to be done about 1 month prior to date of move); set aside important documents - school records, family photogaphs, personal achievements, correspondence, health records, receipts for warrantied appliances or proof of purchase for items being moved to the US (include serial numbers for electronics), plus last 7 years income tax records in case of audit, and bring; prepare a photocopy of every identification document - credit cards, birth certificate, SIN card, bank cards, etc. along with contact addresses and put copy in with important documents; decide what to do with RRSPs and non-locked-in employment pensions; notify Canada Pension Plan office of new address; notify Provincial health insurance of date leaving Canada; get Record of Employment from employer as may be eligible to apply for Employment Insurance once in US; bring a telephone directory from his Canadian city with him in case he needs to look up numbers after he leaves. If he is bringing pets, get a copy of their medical record from the vet. Arrange with friend or neighbour to check former residence after he leaves to verify mail, etc. isn't being left at old address (I had this happen even though Canada Post had change of address filed - got a refund on the fee to cover the 6 weeks they failed to redirect mail - but wouldn't have known if my next door neighbour hadn't sent the mail to me); leave new mailing address with same neighbour. If possible, try to pay off any outstanding debts prior to moving, but if not, definitely contact debt holders and make arrangements to keep paying on debts (ie. student loans, credit card bills, etc.). Use up any bonus points left on credit or account cards (Petropoints or Shoper Drugmart points, etc.); donate items to Good Will and receive income tax receipt for charitable deduction.

[trailmix 77]

He also told me that after I get married, I will need to fill out form RC65 from the Canada Revenue Agency to update their inofrmation on my marital status.

The RC56 form is located on the below link

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc65/README.html

I think the guy at CRA might have been a bit bored

I've never heard of an RC65, so I had a look at it. Seems the only time it would be beneficial is if it changed your status for tax, GST or Child tax credit, which is your case i'm thinking it wouldn't?

[Southern_Canadian 0]

He said that it will save time next year when doing my taxes. I dunno.. lol! Meh, only one more things within my list of paperwork to comeplete.

[Krikit 1,165]

Does he have AAA? They provide some competitive pricing to their members for health insurance.

[Southern_Canadian 0]

No, he doesn't have AAA. Would be a good idea to look into getting AAA and the health insurance that they offer. Thanks for the advice!