Canadian Parents to US?

[Melisandre 5]

So this is going to be long and confusing perhaps. Please bear with me.

I came to the US from Canada with K1 visa in 2015, got married and now I'm a conditional permanent resident. As far as I know I could apply for citizenship sometime in 2019, not that I'm sure I'll do it. I might just remain a PR as long as I'm here. My question is regarding my parents.

I'm an only child of my parents and we don't have a lot of family members. Both my parents live in Canada and me moving out to a different country has been really hard on them. Not only because we're very close but also because when it comes to certain things they totally depended on me. I.e. updating their phone, making sure official documents are up to date and such. I don't ever plan to live under the same roof as them because I think we're all gonna need some privacy. But I wonder if we should live close to each other. My question is, as they get older, do you think where do you think I should arrange for them to live here, keeping social and economic factors in mind. My dad still works, my mom has always been a homemaker. My dad will retire in the next 5-7 years I assume. Do you think I should sponsor them and bring them here in the US or is it better that they remain in Canada. I can't help but wonder if it's gonna be too difficult for them to adjust in US in their age. That being said I'm also wondering about how the whole medicare and social security thing works around here. I don't know much about it so I'm clueless. I know Canada is not too bad when it comes to elderly care.

Any input would be appreciated. I feel guilty for leaving them like that but sooner or later I had to leave..so that I can grow and they can have a life of their own. My parents are very cool people and they'd never wanna be a burden on me. That being said I also wanna make sure they're in a province/state where they'll be taken care of for the most part if I'm not around. Is it normal and possible to work full time and keep things checked up with your parents being so far away? Anyone got any suggestion for me? Thank you so much!

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

****** Moving from Bringing Family of Greencard holders, as LPRs cannot bring parents, to Canada forum for more country specific experiences *****

[aaron2020 11,651]

With your dad planning on retiring in 5-7 years and your mom being a homemaker, they will not have enough time to build up 40 quarters of US work in order to be entitled to social security retirement or Medicare.

[Ontarkie 14,225]

Personally I'd leave them in Canada. Your father will be ready to retired in 7 ish years would be easy for them to visit for 6 months if they want. If they are like my parents they will not like the heat in the summer, and miss things being familiar.

After seeing a 80k hospital bill I would never want that with my parents and hospitals. That bill was with insurance btw.

I know it's hard since you don't have any siblings or a lot of family. Start saving now for an emergency fund so if it is ever needed you can get on the first plane back to them. It wouldn't be much difference if you lived in another part of Canada you would still need to travel. Yes if need be they could move closer to you or you to them easier in that situation.

If you did decide to get USC you could easily move back if their health starts to decline or go back and forth depending on things.

It's pretty much a what you can and cannot live with and what they want kind of thing.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Only US citizens can petition for parents; if you chose to remain a permanent resident than you wouldn't be able to petition them at all.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

I have a friend who moved close to the border and her parents did the same. They visit each other once or twice per week [Think Niagara - Buffalo, they're very close].

[NikLR 13,227]

Only a USC can petition for parents. Honestly I agree with Ontarkie, it's better for them to remain in Canada and have REALLY GOOD travel insurance when they come to visit. Retired people generally have no issues visiting from Canada. I knew many that owned winter homes in Arizona. My own grandparents used to go to Palm Springs, CA or various parts of Arizona for winters.

[NovaSprings 89]

I would agree with all the advice quoted above and add one more consideration. If your parents did become LPR's they would loose access to their Canadian Health care and affordable health care in the US is an issue. From personal experience, my parents where healthy and active in their 50's and 60's, but now in their early 70's have had to deal with significant health issues like heart and cancer issues. I miss my parents, but traveling is a great option, airfare can be fairly cheap, if you plan, check out deals, are flexible, etc. Just food for thought.

Edited December 6, 2016 by NovaSprings

[Mounat 74]

If your parents did become LPR's they would loose access to their Canadian Health care...

That doesn't happen automatically, does it? Say they're splitting their time between the two countries and maintain the minimum period required by their province, would they still lose it?

I'm pretty sure it's not automatic. Especially if they still maintain a home in Canada.

[NovaSprings 89]

That doesn't happen automatically, does it? Say they're splitting their time between the two countries and maintain the minimum period required by their province, would they still lose it?

I'm pretty sure it's not automatic. Especially if they still maintain a home in Canada.

If you are a legal permanent resident of the USA, means you are no longer a permanent resident of Canada and therefore you will loose access to health care. Maintaining a home in Canada, does not mean residency. There a lots of Canadians who own homes in the US, but are not LPR's, and visa versa, Americans who own houses in Canada who are not residents of Canada . At income tax time, as an LPR you would declare your residency in the US and file taxes with the IRS, if you also have Canadian income, you will also file with CRA but declare that you are non-resident and pay a flat 25% tax rate on your Canadian income. (lots of other items when it comes to taxes, but that is the jest of it) There are several discussions on this form regarding loss of health care once you become an LPR. Sorry to break the news.

[NikLR 13,227]

That doesn't happen automatically, does it? Say they're splitting their time between the two countries and maintain the minimum period required by their province, would they still lose it?

I'm pretty sure it's not automatic. Especially if they still maintain a home in Canada.

Yes it is automatic for all LPR between Canada and the US. When you become a US LPR, you are no longer a resident of Canada. Non-residents regardless of citizenship, are not entitled to provincial health care. Each province also has their own rules for how long you can be gone from the province before you lose healthcare, even as a resident.

[Ontarkie 14,225]

Just to add that it is automatic. The minute the visa is endorsed for tax and health care that is when you stop being a resident of Canada.

Canada has started cracking down on ppl who use the health care when they are not eligible. Members here also thought that they could keep getting their child tax credit and GST till they actually got their GC only to then end up with a bill to pay it all back.

They may not catch it right away but they will eventually.

[Mounat 74]

Understood. I knew one can't maintain residency in two places but thought it was different for seniors. Especially those who head south for extended periods of time during the cold winters. I suppose the difference is the acquisition of the GC.

Edited December 6, 2016 by Mounat

[Ontarkie 14,225]

Understood. I knew one can't maintain residency in two places but thought it was different for seniors. Especially those who head south for extended periods of time during the cold winters. I suppose the difference is the acquisition of the GC.

When snowbirds leave they are not moving they are visiting. They keep their health insurance because they aren't gone long enough to lose it 6 months less a day depending on the province.

Here's a link that may help with how visiting and health care works. http://travelinsurancefile.com/headlines/how-long-can-canadians-stay-out-of-the-country/

[NovaSprings 89]

Each province has their own rules on timing as well, I just checked and Nova Scotia is 7 months for health care.