Moving to Canada after being a US citizen my whole life??

[MichaelANDVelvet 2]

Hello everyone, long time since I have been on here. Well I found out that through my Dad I am a Canadian Citizen. He was born in Vancouver and has not obtained his US Citizenship yet. Through birth to a Canadian citizen I am one as well. I received my Certificate of Canadian Citizenship a week ago and now I am wondering on the next step to move and work in Canada.

I was thinking about getting my Canadian Passport, is that a good idea?

How do I apply for a SIN? Can I get it while still living in the US?

Going across the border on land with all my stuff, will I get hassled by the border patrol even though I am a Canadian Citizen?

What does this mean for taxes?

Currently I am unemployed and collecting unemployment, how will this affect that?

Do I have to live in Canada for a certain amount of time before I can return to the US to live?

I was just hoping some of you could point me in the right direction for this. I am really considering a move to Ontario in the next month or two and need to know what to expect and what to do. Everyone on here has always been so helpful.

Thank you,

Michael

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Michael,

you "found out" that you are a Canadian citizen. Nothin' wrong with that. But before we can answer your questions tell us, what did you think what your country of citizenship was/is and do your thoughts and reality still match, or did you "think" you are a US citizen and now you found out that you lived 30-some years illegally in the US?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hello everyone, long time since I have been on here. Well I found out that through my Dad I am a Canadian Citizen. He was born in Vancouver and has not obtained his US Citizenship yet. Through birth to a Canadian citizen I am one as well. I received my Certificate of Canadian Citizenship a week ago and now I am wondering on the next step to move and work in Canada.

I was thinking about getting my Canadian Passport, is that a good idea? YES

How do I apply for a SIN? Can I get it while still living in the US? see here http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/index.shtml

Going across the border on land with all my stuff, will I get hassled by the border patrol even though I am a Canadian Citizen? After you have the Cdn passport,I would imagine you'll just tell them you're moving 'Home"

What does this mean for taxes? Nothing unless you start earning money in Canada and have to file a Cdn tax return. As a US citizen you will still be obligated to file one every year as well

Currently I am unemployed and collecting unemployment, how will this affect that? You can't exactly move to Canada and start collecting there if that's what you mean - you would have had to pay into it (which you haven't). Canada won't care that you were collecting while livign in the US

Do I have to live in Canada for a certain amount of time before I can return to the US to live? As a citizen you are free to come and go just like anyone else and you'll be dual

I was just hoping some of you could point me in the right direction for this. I am really considering a move to Ontario in the next month or two and need to know what to expect and what to do. Everyone on here has always been so helpful.

Thank you,

Michael

[MichaelANDVelvet 2]

Ohhh no you got it wrong. I am not an illegal US citizen. I was born in the US. I am a full US citizen with SSN and everything. I was born to a Canadian citizen. My dad was born in Canada and then at the age of 2 moved with his parents to the US and has been here ever since. He has his green card and everything but just never applied for US citizenship. So I had contacted a lawyer and they told me that through some laws that I am a Canadian citizen because of being born to a Canadian citizen. So I applied for my Certificate of Citizenship which I received. So what I am considering is moving to Canada to see how I like it since I should be able to work and what not now that I have proof I am a Canadian citizen.

Also, I will say that I love the US but I have traveled to Canada a lot in the past two years and have become very fond of it.

Edited March 30, 2011 by MichaelANDVelvet

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I think you should totally start by apply for your Cdn passport and SIN and go from there.

[MichaelANDVelvet 2]

Well thank you, I have downloaded the forms and am filling them out. I play to go get my photos taken and send it all out tomorrow.

My biggest concern is just going across the border. As I live over in Reno, NV and I want to go to Toronto, it's a 2500 mile trip on land. I don't want to get there and have them deny me entry. I know how big of a deal it is going by land if you have a bunch of stuff and it looks like you are moving. I would think having a Canadian Passport would be fine but just want to make sure.

[Krikit 1,165]

Congratulations! This thread should be helpful:

Immigrating to Canada

[Hugglebuggles 60]

That's pretty awesome Michael!

I wouldn't worry about being denied entry to Canada. As a Canadian citizen you have the right to live and work anywhere in Canada. You just need to make sure you have your passport ready to prove your citizenship.

[Danu 19]

Congrats!

Edited March 31, 2011 by Danu

[zyggy 9]

You can't apply for a Canadian Passport, or get any other bebefits of Canadian Citizenship, until you first get a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/proof.asp

Current waiting time is about 10 months.

Once you get that, you can apply for a Canadian Passport, SIN Card, etc.

If you are a Citizen of both, you can live and travel freely between the two countries. You can live and work in one country one day and live in the other the next.

[Marilyn. 340]

You can't apply for a Canadian Passport, or get any other bebefits of Canadian Citizenship, until you first get a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/proof.asp

Current waiting time is about 10 months.

Once you get that, you can apply for a Canadian Passport, SIN Card, etc.

If you are a Citizen of both, you can live and travel freely between the two countries. You can live and work in one country one day and live in the other the next.

the OP mentioned in their first post that they have received it already...

[Moosker 7]

That's awesome!!! Canadians rock

[MichaelANDVelvet 2]

Well awesome! You guys are always so helpful. I love this group of people. Thanks for the wishes. Wait till you get my whole story. I am planning a documentary about everything, the process and finding the one you love.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Well awesome! You guys are always so helpful. I love this group of people. Thanks for the wishes. Wait till you get my whole story. I am planning a documentary about everything, the process and finding the one you love.

Just think - CANADA is full of us ...there are a few duds of course!

[trailmix 77]

Going across the border on land with all my stuff, will I get hassled by the border patrol even though I am a Canadian Citizen?

Congratulations!

Moving to Canada - even as a Canadian citizen - does have a few requirements. When you move to the U.S. they are very blasé about your goods, although everyone advises everyone to have a list of items they are bringing in (which is a good idea) they rarely, if ever, look at it.

Not so with Canada. Even as a Canadian you absolutely MUST have a list of goods you are bringing in, with values. You need a form for all the goods crossing the border with you and a separate form for items you are shipping separately. You need 2 copies of each. One you keep, one the border officer will keep, you present these forms at your point of entry. The form is here:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf

If you are also going to import your U.S. vehicle, there are lots of hoops to jump through, not like taking your Canadian car to the U.S. at all - there are inspections and inspections - and fees - all that info is here:

http://www.riv.ca/Home.aspx

Also this page has lots of information:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5113-eng.html