Temporary Return Of US GC Holder To Canada

[SoCal-Canuck 0]

Guys,

I am a Canadian citizen and have lived in the US legally for 13 years. I was originally a TN visa holder and eventually married my wife and obtained a green card. I just had the conditions removed from my green card a few months back and as fate should have it, I am expecting a very nice job offer in Canada that would require me to relocate there with my wife and two young children for 4-5 years. Our goal would then be to return to the US permanently once the work assignment is completed.

This particular work assignment is very appealing to our family for both professional and personal reasons so it would be too good an opportunity to pass up.

I have read that as a GC holder I can file for a "leave of absence" from the US whereby I maintain my GC holder status but my understanding is this is only for two years (max.) with US visits not more than 2 years apart and that I will have to file a tax return in the US while I am away. None of these stipulations is a problem as my wife has family in the US so we plan to return regularly. Can I extend my "leave of absence" for more than two years?

I will be applying for proof of Canadian Citizenship for my children via the US consulate prior to the move. What do we need to do to get myself, my wife, and kids covered by the Canadian health care system?

As well, are there any other barriers to our move to Canada besides following the required immigration procedures for my wife?

Thanks in advance for your help.

W.

Edited July 16, 2012 by SoCal-Canuck

[SF2007 48]

Have you considered applying for citizenship? That'd be a lifetime of traveling across the border without worrying about this. Only other option I know of is the Reentry Permit, which allows you to up to 2 years abroad from the date of issuance.

Whatever option you choose, you will have to file taxes in the U.S. during your stay abroad. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will pitch in

[SapphireDreams 71]

I'd apply for citizenship if you are eligible before you leave and maintain a residence in the US until you become a citizen. If that's not possible, you can always just plan to apply for an IR-1 visa when you want to move back, which isn't the end of the world if you plan it right.

[Colleens 40]

Guys,

I am a Canadian citizen and have lived in the US legally for 13 years. I was originally a TN visa holder and eventually married my wife and obtained a green card. I just had the conditions removed from my green card a few months back and as fate should have it, I am expecting a very nice job offer in Canada that would require me to relocate there with my wife and two young children for 4-5 years. Our goal would then be to return to the US permanently once the work assignment is completed.

This particular work assignment is very appealing to our family for both professional and personal reasons so it would be too good an opportunity to pass up.

I have read that as a GC holder I can file for a "leave of absence" from the US whereby I maintain my GC holder status but my understanding is this is only for two years (max.) with US visits not more than 2 years apart and that I will have to file a tax return in the US while I am away. None of these stipulations is a problem as my wife has family in the US so we plan to return regularly. Can I extend my "leave of absence" for more than two years?

I will be applying for proof of Canadian Citizenship for my children via the US consulate prior to the move. What do we need to do to get myself, my wife, and kids covered by the Canadian health care system?

As well, are there any other barriers to our move to Canada besides following the required immigration procedures for my wife?

Thanks in advance for your help.

W.

What province will you be moving to? I just moved back to Alberta and went to the registry office the 3rd day we were here and me and my family were automatically covered. Even my husband is covered and he is only here on a visitors record while we apply for his PR. All we needed was ID and something with our Alberta address on it to prove residency (a letter from the bank that had both our names and address on it was sufficient).

[warlord 73]

Yes I'm glad you did your research on the subject unlike so many others. The document is the Re-Entry permit. The downfall is it will re-set your residency clock so that you would then have to wait a lot longer when returning to apply for citizenship again. Right now if you have removed the conditions, it means you are already nearing or close to nearing the time you could apply for citizenship.

I have a feeling the job would mean you would need to relocated and get the re-entry permit (if accepted) and re-set your residency clock. Also I'm sure you read up on the rules and stuff about the re-entry and the stuff you would need to do in order to qualify and maintain that (not sure how much US ties you will still need etc)...

[SoCal-Canuck 0]

Thanks for all of the info.

Unfortunately I don't have time to apply for citizenship as I just had the conditions removed from my GC and the move would hopefully occur in the very near future.

I plan to file US taxes and maintain a US bank account and credit card accounts while in Canada. I was even thinking of buying a new car prior to the move so I would have a long term credit account while away but I fear the complications of importing a car into Canada that is not paid off. Does anyone have any experience with that?

I will probably also rent a mail box so I have a US mailing address for bank statements and such although it is easy to go paperless these days.

One thing is for sure...it will be a tough move from Southern Cali to Canada...especially come February! :-)

Edited July 17, 2012 by SoCal-Canuck

[Flames9_RN 358]

Like others have stated you need to do some research on how long you can stay out of the USA for, eve with a re-entry permit. Sometimes you can't have ur cake and eat it too,lol

[SoCal-Canuck 0]

Like others have stated you need to do some research on how long you can stay out of the USA for, eve with a re-entry permit. Sometimes you can't have ur cake and eat it too,lol

Yeah, it seems like I will be SOL if I stay out of the country for as long as this project will last. It just stinks to have to do the entire GC process again.

A friend of mine had to surrender his GC last year because, although he had made regular visits to the US since returning to live in Canada, he was planning to stay in Canada permanently.

On another note, has anyone ever taken a car that was purchased in the US to Canada that was not paid off? I am thinking of replacing my wife's car with an AWD car that will deal with the snow better and it seems the prices are significantly better here, even considering the duties.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Yeah, it seems like I will be SOL if I stay out of the country for as long as this project will last. It just stinks to have to do the entire GC process again.

A friend of mine had to surrender his GC last year because, although he had made regular visits to the US since returning to live in Canada, he was planning to stay in Canada permanently.

On another note, has anyone ever taken a car that was purchased in the US to Canada that was not paid off? I am thinking of replacing my wife's car with an AWD car that will deal with the snow better and it seems the prices are significantly better here, even considering the duties.

Ya, if you can buy the car in the USA--it may be way cheaper. Was an online article I was reading awhile back, on how cars even made in Canada and then shipped to the USA are still way cheaper in the USA. Another thing you may want to look into is how soon you buy it before the move. If you buy it just before you move, may cost ya more!! I now when I moved from Manitoba to Nova scotia----I went to register my new car in NS and since it had been less than 30 days, NS was going to charge me Nova scotia sales tax on my car(Even though I had paid Manitoba sales tax)!! BUT the lady said that if I come back next week, wink wink (then it was more than 30 days) no NS sales tax!! I was fortunate to get a nice gal at the NS registery desk,lol.

Regarding the loan, best to just call up the bank that you plan to use!! Car salesman will tell you anthing!!! When you were looking to buy a 2011 CRV, 1 salesman told me that my warrnaty would be valid in Nicaragua--NOT!! Which is another thing you want to look into----if the USA bought vehicle will have a warranty in Canada---lot do not!!! They will do recall work, BUT not factory warranty stuff, I know thats the way Honda is!! 2012 CRV's are very nice,lol