Becoming a citizen

[Angela. 0]

Hey everyone!

My husband was just approved for his ten year green card! I just brought up the suggestion of him becoming a citizen. I don't think he has ever really considered it because people tell him he won't be Canadian anymore (of course these people have 0 knowlegde of Immigration) I tell him Canada would still see him as Canadian. I have been having him read stuff and he finally believes me! He seems pretty interested in it now, so far one of the biggest cons is having to pay taxes in the US even if you move to a different country, but that isn't an issue for us. I had no opinion either way, but then I read we wouldn't be able to adopt, not that we currently plan to, but who know what will happen in the future.

He asked me how would health care work in Canada...if he was visiting Canada and had to go to the hospital, would his health card still work??

[NikLR 13,232]

After he became an LPR he was no longer eligible for any provincial healthcare. It is based on residency not citizenship. When you guys travel to Canada you should have travel insurance for any healthcare needs.

I don't know why you would not be able to adopt. He would be a USC and a Canadian citizen. If you wait for the 5 year mark you don't have to submit relationship evidence.

[Hypnos 6,578]

If he is already an LPR then he lost his Canadian healthcare long ago.

Not sure what you mean with regards to adoption, as that has no effect on anything whatsoever..

As an LPR he already has the same obligation to file taxes worldwide regardless of where he lives. That obligation remains until he relinquishes his LPR status, or it is deemed abandoned.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Depending on the province, he would lose his health care privilidges between 6-12 months of being out of Canada.

[msbau764 245]

Hey everyone!

My husband was just approved for his ten year green card! I just brought up the suggestion of him becoming a citizen. I don't think he has ever really considered it because people tell him he won't be Canadian anymore (of course these people have 0 knowlegde of Immigration) I tell him Canada would still see him as Canadian. I have been having him read stuff and he finally believes me! He seems pretty interested in it now, so far one of the biggest cons is having to pay taxes in the US even if you move to a different country, but that isn't an issue for us. I had no opinion either way, but then I read we wouldn't be able to adopt, not that we currently plan to, but who know what will happen in the future.

He asked me how would health care work in Canada...if he was visiting Canada and had to go to the hospital, would his health card still work??

.

You can make $95,000 a year abroad and not pay any US taxes (depending on meeting certain criteria). If you owe property overseas (and live as an expat) there are additional deductions. It's not that bad.

[Hypnos 6,578]

OP's spouse just successfully filed for RoC, so they've been an LPR for at least a couple of years. As I said, their Canadian healthcare was lost some time ago.

[Angela. 0]

Thanks everyone!

I just reread the adoption thing, it says some states only allow two us citizens to adopt, I guess I will have to look up my state.

and I know he will have to pay taxes anways, but on everthing I have read that seemed to be the biggest con to the writers, it doesn't really effect us.

[NikLR 13,232]

Really if you have no issues with the oath, then by all means go ahead. You can always give up the citizenship at a later date as well.

[Angela. 0]

I am leaving it up to him, I have no strong opinion on it, but he thinks the pros outweigh the cons, so I think he will be doing it in the future. He just wanted to be sure he'd still be considered Canadian in some way.

[Flames9_RN 358]

You can do a search on that here on VJ.....brought up many times...always pros and cons, I will leave it at that!!

[Sarah&Marc 22]

I feel like I should know the answer to this but does a CR1 visa give LPR status? I guess I thought as long as he was a canadian citizen then he would have healthcare through canada, at what point does this change? He has been here 6 weeks, do I need to get him US healthcare?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I feel like I should know the answer to this but does a CR1 visa give LPR status? I guess I thought as long as he was a canadian citizen then he would have healthcare through canada, at what point does this change? He has been here 6 weeks, do I need to get him US healthcare?

Depending on the province, a 6-12 month absence cancels eligibility. If you have no intent to return to canada they can automatically cancel your healthcare. Yes, he needs us health care

Edited December 13, 2014 by Transborderwife

[Ontarkie 14,467]

I feel like I should know the answer to this but does a CR1 visa give LPR status? I guess I thought as long as he was a canadian citizen then he would have healthcare through canada, at what point does this change? He has been here 6 weeks, do I need to get him US healthcare?

Yes he needs US coverage. As soon as he endorsed his visa to move he stopped being a resident.

Depending on the province, a 6-12 month absence cancels eligibility. Yes, he needs us health care

That's not accurate, it's based on residency he no longer lives there so he no longer is eligible. What you are posting applies to Canadians who are gone temporary like snow birds.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Ontarkie

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Which is why I edited adding if he doesn't intend to go back it is automatically cancelled.

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

I feel like I should know the answer to this but does a CR1 visa give LPR status? I guess I thought as long as he was a canadian citizen then he would have healthcare through canada, at what point does this change? He has been here 6 weeks, do I need to get him US healthcare?

Got health insurance through my wife's work within 2 weeks of moving here. See HR to figure out what they need. I think they just needed a scan of my passport visa, although I don't remember if it was even that much.