when did u give up your CDN residency?

[Marilyn. 340]

in Cali they are supposed to take your foreign license when you get the California license, it says that right in the DMV handbook but the lady asked to see mine and then handed it back to me...

[Carlawarla 1]

I'd not be giving up your license until you go to the DMV in your State. They had to see mine as well, probably to determine whether it was true I had one in Canada. You'll always have your SIN, don't be tearing that up unless you want to get a replacement some day. You'll always need your number, it's a lifetime one anyway. I don't know that I let anyone "know" until I got here, then sent change of address and name forms to both provincial and federal government agencies.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I notified every agency the week before I moved.... I sent a letter to OHIP so it was in writing, that I was cutting up my card which I did and no longer a Canadian resident.... I also sent the DMV a letter and cut up my license too. I notified the govt and they cancelled my GST rebate cheques.... Of course not my SIN number, that is with you for life! I had a list that I got off VJ and I'm sure there are other places I notified but cannot recall right now....

Did you really cut up your license? Why? I'm guessing you cut it up after you got your PA license?

NYS kept my old license, but I still had an expired Ontario one previous to the one they kept, so I'm glad I still have it because it's in my married name and it's the only thing with a photo (other than my passport) that shows my maiden name and all my Canadian banking is still in my maiden name, so if I use my Canadian visa and someone asks for photo id, then at least I have my old license.

What is the value in telling OHIP that we've left? Just wondering. I'm pretty sure I didn't and I just want to make sure I'm not going to get in trouble, LOL.

[JillA 2]

I notified every agency the week before I moved.... I sent a letter to OHIP so it was in writing, that I was cutting up my card which I did and no longer a Canadian resident.... I also sent the DMV a letter and cut up my license too. I notified the govt and they cancelled my GST rebate cheques.... Of course not my SIN number, that is with you for life! I had a list that I got off VJ and I'm sure there are other places I notified but cannot recall right now....

Did you really cut up your license? Why? I'm guessing you cut it up after you got your PA license?

NYS kept my old license, but I still had an expired Ontario one previous to the one they kept, so I'm glad I still have it because it's in my married name and it's the only thing with a photo (other than my passport) that shows my maiden name and all my Canadian banking is still in my maiden name, so if I use my Canadian visa and someone asks for photo id, then at least I have my old license.

What is the value in telling OHIP that we've left? Just wondering. I'm pretty sure I didn't and I just want to make sure I'm not going to get in trouble, LOL.

Yes, I got my PA license soon after moving and only cut up my ON license then. Well I had no need for it anymore and didn't want a souvenier, LOL but I read a story that Bermycat posted once it scared me LOL. She said that she was in secondary once and a guy was in there with his Canadian license but he had a green card.... and having the Canadian license was proof he was still a Canadian resident or something and was trying to have 2 residencies so they took away his green card or something like that.... maybe she can clarify the details of the story. I just didn't need it anymore!

As for OHIP, I just read it on one of the lists of people to notify. It's on their website that if you move out of Ontario, it's your obligation to notify them so I sent a letter as recommended.

[thetreble 19]

I was a very bad girl and didn't notify any one...I had no clue I was staying in the US at the time of entry and that my husband would propose at the time.

After I came to VJ and read that people notified people, I was a little scared and shocked...

But nothing has happened to me thus far and I still have my health card, driver's license, etc.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I notified every agency the week before I moved.... I sent a letter to OHIP so it was in writing, that I was cutting up my card which I did and no longer a Canadian resident.... I also sent the DMV a letter and cut up my license too. I notified the govt and they cancelled my GST rebate cheques.... Of course not my SIN number, that is with you for life! I had a list that I got off VJ and I'm sure there are other places I notified but cannot recall right now....

Did you really cut up your license? Why? I'm guessing you cut it up after you got your PA license?

NYS kept my old license, but I still had an expired Ontario one previous to the one they kept, so I'm glad I still have it because it's in my married name and it's the only thing with a photo (other than my passport) that shows my maiden name and all my Canadian banking is still in my maiden name, so if I use my Canadian visa and someone asks for photo id, then at least I have my old license.

What is the value in telling OHIP that we've left? Just wondering. I'm pretty sure I didn't and I just want to make sure I'm not going to get in trouble, LOL.

Yes, I got my PA license soon after moving and only cut up my ON license then. Well I had no need for it anymore and didn't want a souvenier, LOL but I read a story that Bermycat posted once it scared me LOL. She said that she was in secondary once and a guy was in there with his Canadian license but he had a green card.... and having the Canadian license was proof he was still a Canadian resident or something and was trying to have 2 residencies so they took away his green card or something like that.... maybe she can clarify the details of the story. I just didn't need it anymore!

As for OHIP, I just read it on one of the lists of people to notify. It's on their website that if you move out of Ontario, it's your obligation to notify them so I sent a letter as recommended.

That makes sense. I plan to just not travel with any of my Canadian ID, but I still have it in case I ever move back. I'm especially not giving up my red and white health card! That baby never expires!

[trailmix 77]

I basically told everyone I would have told if we were moving to Lethbridge - really it's the same thing. They will let you know whether they care or not I suppose.

For things like my bank, I just gave them an address here.

In some places, like Alberta, you aren't supposed to have two licenses - so we got a lecture from the person at the registry office when we went to update the address when we returned. Oh well who cares - not that my Husband's license was valid anyway as the Florida folks cut the corner off.

As for Health Care - yes you are supposed to notify them as you have to be a resident for a certain number of months per year to qualify. No harm in keeping the card but not cancelling it is - well nothing will happen, it's just an honesty system.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

As for moving, from Canada to the USA (I've been here in the USA since 2006), I did the following:

I notified:

-Revenue Canada and Elections Canada (with the "final tax return" in 2007, to prevent tax fraud and to officially notify the Canadian government that I'm not living in Canada anymore, and had to cancel and return those GST cheques I'm not entitled to and would be in trouble for keeping such)

-Passport Canada (when they added my married name to my maiden name passport in 2007)

-Passport Canada again (when I applied for a new passport recently in my married name in 2009)

-I closed my Canadian bank account in Canada (2007)

-I let someone in Canada collect my personal mail for me, and then notified those people by mail that I moved (2006-Present)

I didn't notify:

-Social Insurance (Human Resources Canada, I think) as I wouldn't be working in Canada anymore and wouldn't need a new card.

-OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance) as my card already expired and I can't use it here, so I never renewed it.

-MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario) as my license was automatically transfered, surrendered, and destroyed here by the DMV in NYS. Note: You cannot have 2 driver's licenses at the same time (at least that's the way it is here in NYS), so you would either have to pick between the American one or the Canadian one to keep.

Anyone else I need to notify in Canada, government and financial-wise, I can't think of, and haven't done such.

But while I was in the USA as a permanent resident..I also recently got the following at my old Canadian address with my maiden name, which someone forwarded the mail to me in the USA, and I did the following:

-Elections Canada Notice (2009). Shortly after I renewed my Canadian passport, I got a notice saying that I was on the voter's list, and that if I didn't reply to it within 60 days, I would be off the list. So I just ignored it, and I assumed that I was taken off the list by not replying to it because as a resident of the USA, I could not vote in Canada anyways even if I wanted to.

-Jury Duty Questionnaire (2009). I had to reply back to this one within 1-2 weeks, or face fines and/or other legal consequences. I received this forwarded notice past the deadline too, since I did not know of such before. So despite my reply to the questionnaire being late, I sent it in. I also explained to them about my situation about being the USA as a pemanent resident and not living in Canada, sent them additional proof that I wasn't living in Canada (eg. copy of my green card), and because of my circumstances cannot serve on jury duty in Canada. I haven't heard from them since, so I assume I'm off the jury duty list.

Lesson learned: Do all the updates/notifications, but don't be surprised if somehow or other that one would still get notices from Canada, despite doing such. Oh well, at least you've done your part...not your fault if they don't update the information accurately on their end....

Hope this helps. Good luck on the rest of your immigration journeys too.

Ant

Edited October 11, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[neiks 19]

Yes - you are no lonere entitled to GST and CCTB (why would you be, right?) - I learned the hard way because I told them, but forgot to remind them 50 times after they continued to deposit my GST and CCTB long after I had notified them the first time. I recently paid back every cent they over paid me and having to shell out a year's worth of CCTB and GST was irritating when it was their own fault for continuing the paymen

Just a side note on this one for anyone that is may still be working in Canada. If you still work in Canada and still pay Canadian Income tax then you probably will still be a "factual resident" of Canada for tax purposes. Thus, they still tax you as if you where a Canadain resident and thus you would still be entitled to collect the GST credit and Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care. But once again this is only if you are still employed in Canada. And second bonus of still working in Canada - you still can receive the Canada's maternity/paternity benefits if you plan on having a family.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Yes - you are no lonere entitled to GST and CCTB (why would you be, right?) - I learned the hard way because I told them, but forgot to remind them 50 times after they continued to deposit my GST and CCTB long after I had notified them the first time. I recently paid back every cent they over paid me and having to shell out a year's worth of CCTB and GST was irritating when it was their own fault for continuing the paymen

Just a side note on this one for anyone that is may still be working in Canada. If you still work in Canada and still pay Canadian Income tax then you probably will still be a "factual resident" of Canada for tax purposes. Thus, they still tax you as if you where a Canadain resident and thus you would still be entitled to collect the GST credit and Child Tax Benefit and Universal Child Care. But once again this is only if you are still employed in Canada. And second bonus of still working in Canada - you still can receive the Canada's maternity/paternity benefits if you plan on having a family.

Not true - I was considered a factual resident the first year I left (left in Nov, all of my income that year was in Canada) - I was no longer entitled to GST and CCTB the day I left - you have to be residing there in order to be elgible for those.

[neiks 19]

Not true - I was considered a factual resident the first year I left (left in Nov, all of my income that year was in Canada) - I was no longer entitled to GST and CCTB the day I left - you have to be residing there in order to be elgible for those.

Yes, it is true. I receive it (CCTB) and actually, got back pay because I wasn't receiving it because I thought I wasn't entitled to it. I have talked to the tax office and they told me that as long as I am a "factual resident for tax purposes" I am entitled to it.

Are you eligible?

To receive the CCTB, all the following conditions must be met:

1.You must live with the child, and the child must be under 18 years of age.

2.You must be the person primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child. We define primarily responsible above.

Note

If a child does not reside with you all the time, see "Shared eligibility".

3.You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.

We consider you to be a resident of Canada when you establish sufficient residential ties in Canada. For more information, see Interpretation Bulletin IT-221, Determination of an Individual's Residence Status.

4.You or your spouse or common-law partner must be:

◦a Canadian citizen;

◦as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a "permanent resident";

◦as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a "protected person"; or

◦as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a "temporary resident" who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month (other than one that states "does not confer status" or "does not confer temporary resident status"). If this is your situation, you should not apply before the 19th month.

I have had the determination of Residential status done and I have been determined to be a factual resident of Canada for tax purposes. I'm not saying it is applicable for everyone, but if there is some that is still working in Canada and mantains substantial ties to Canada than they should look into it and see if they are still eligible for it.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Not true - I was considered a factual resident the first year I left (left in Nov, all of my income that year was in Canada) - I was no longer entitled to GST and CCTB the day I left - you have to be residing there in order to be elgible for those.

Yes, it is true. I receive it (CCTB) and actually, got back pay because I wasn't receiving it because I thought I wasn't entitled to it. I have talked to the tax office and they told me that as long as I am a "factual resident for tax purposes" I am entitled to it.

Are you eligible?

To receive the CCTB, all the following conditions must be met:

1.You must live with the child, and the child must be under 18 years of age.

2.You must be the person primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child. We define primarily responsible above.

Note

If a child does not reside with you all the time, see "Shared eligibility".

3.You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.

We consider you to be a resident of Canada when you establish sufficient residential ties in Canada. For more information, see Interpretation Bulletin IT-221, Determination of an Individual's Residence Status.

4.You or your spouse or common-law partner must be:

◦a Canadian citizen;

◦as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a "permanent resident";

◦as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a "protected person"; or

◦as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a "temporary resident" who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month (other than one that states "does not confer status" or "does not confer temporary resident status"). If this is your situation, you should not apply before the 19th month.

I have had the determination of Residential status done and I have been determined to be a factual resident of Canada for tax purposes. I'm not saying it is applicable for everyone, but if there is some that is still working in Canada and mantains substantial ties to Canada than they should look into it and see if they are still eligible for it.

perhaps my ties were not substantial enough, although I was deem factual

[CAdreamer 14]

Interesting tidbit for those in Ontario. I just got off the phone with the Ministry of Transportation. California did not make me hand over my Ontario license when I got my new license here. The lady on the phone said that the states are supposed to do an "exchange" program with the license, but since they didn't take mine, if I want, I can send it in and request a refund of the licensing fees I paid in Ontario, since my license isn't set to expire for another 9 months. It might be nice to get some money back somewhere in this costly process!

[Canadiandggal 49]

Interesting tidbit for those in Ontario. I just got off the phone with the Ministry of Transportation. California did not make me hand over my Ontario license when I got my new license here. The lady on the phone said that the states are supposed to do an "exchange" program with the license, but since they didn't take mine, if I want, I can send it in and request a refund of the licensing fees I paid in Ontario, since my license isn't set to expire for another 9 months. It might be nice to get some money back somewhere in this costly process!

I did that when I got here. I got back a whopping 65 dollars from the Ontario ministry of transportation. I had just renewed my License in July and moved the following october.

[Marilyn. 340]

I am not sure what exchange program they are talking about. Every state is different. Some let you just exchange your Canadian license for a US one but other states like California you have to take all the tests over again.