I?m 63 & retired.  My wife is 53 & will retire in 10 yrs.  We want to
purchase 1-5 acres on Vancouver Island & continue to live here as I
build a house there.  My wife would move to Vancouver in 5 yrs. & work
a few more years - hopefully in Canada.  We?ve read Official Canadian
& British Columbia Government websites & still don?t know the first
steps to take, the on-going steps involved, & the pitfalls to look for. 
We?d like to hear from someone who has gone through a similar process
or who knows the process from a professional point of view. 
Sincerely, firebird.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 22 Aug 2005 17:38 PDT

Hi firebird,

It would be helpful to know which of the following four categories
either you or your wife qualify for. If you don't qualify for any,
then immigrating to Canada is not an option for you, however,
immigration isn't a requirement for owning property in Canada.

1. Skilled Worker Class Immigration:
"Canada values the skills and experiences that foreign professionals
and workers bring with them. Check to see if your skills and
experience qualify you to come to Canada as a skilled worker."

Your wife can take the Skilled worker Self-Assessment to give you an
idea of whether or not she qualifies in that category.

Skilled Worker Self-Assessment:
"This Self-Assessment tool will help you decide if you should apply to
immigrate to Canada as a Skilled Worker. The questions here are like
the questions on the application form. Your score on this test will
show you how your skills and experience could be graded on your
application.
This test is only to give you an idea of whether or not you will
qualify as a skilled worker. A Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(CIC) officer will decide on your application based on the evidence
you provide."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/index.html

2. Business Class Immigration:
"Canada has a strong economic culture. If you have experience running
or investing in businesses, you may qualify to come to Canada as a
business immigrant."

 There are three classes of business immigrants:
*  Investors
The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced persons
and capital to Canada. Investors must demonstrate business experience,
a minimum net worth of CDN $800,000 and make an investment of CDN
$400,000.
*  Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced persons that
will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that will contribute
to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must demonstrate
business experience, a minimum net worth of CDN $300,000 and are
subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada.
*  Self-employed persons
Self-employed persons must have the intention and ability to create
their own employment. They are expected to contribute to the cultural
or athletic life of Canada. They may create their own employment by
purchasing and managing a farm in Canada.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/business/index.html

3. Family Class Immigration:
"Family class immigration reunites families in Canadian homes. Learn
how to sponsor your family member or come to Canada as a member of the
family class."

"If you wish to become a permanent resident of Canada, your relative
or family member in Canada must first apply to sponsor you."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html

4. Provincial Nomination:
"Most Canadian provinces have programs that encourage immigrants to
settle in those provinces and benefit their economies. Learn about
settling in one of Canada?s provinces as a provincial nominee."

The Provincial Nominee Program of British Columbia
http://www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/amip/pnp/

Regards,
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by firebird-ga on 26 Aug 2005 13:14 PDT

Dear hummer, thank you for your response.  As Myorin rightly points
out, the "subject" of my question was about citizenship, but it is
clear (to me now) that what I want is just to become a resident.  I
don't know how to frame that.  I suppose "immigrant".  As you point
out, I could own land without becoming an immigrant.  But my wife and
I would want to build a house and live there in our retirment.  As to
your question, my wife would fall under the category of "Skilled
Worker".  We visited the the Canadian and British Columbia government
sites before I posted my question.  My wife took the self-assessment
test.  She fell a few points short, and we didn't know what to do. 
Hence, my attempt to find out if there was any way, other than to have
to choose a category and take some qualification test, to live in the
country.  At the time we would move, I would be fully retired.  My
wife would want to work five more years before retirement.  It is this
"no man's land" situation that prompted me to put this dilemma out via
Google - to ask whether we would be able to live in Canada under any
status, as it is the home we would build that would beckon us there. 
It seems to me we fall through the cracks insofar as a strategy to
live in Canada goes.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 26 Aug 2005 13:40 PDT

Hi firebird,

I'm sorry if I misled you. By "immigration isn't a requirement for
owning property in Canada", I wasn't only referring to land, I meant a
home as well. In other words, Americans can retire and live in Canada
without immigrating. Would you like information about that?

Regards,
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by firebird-ga on 26 Aug 2005 14:24 PDT

Dear hummer,  Yes, indeed.  I would be grateful for that.  Any
information that will help pave the way to our being able to live in
Canada - without jumping over too-high a hurdle - would be
appreciated.  firebird

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 26 Aug 2005 14:46 PDT

Okey dokey, firebird, and not to worry, it can be done. I'll get back
to you as soon as possible (hopefully tonight but no later than
tomorrow). Till later, hummer

Hi again, firebird,

I hope my answer gives you a solid understanding of what is required
to live in Canada, either as a permanent resident, on a work permit,
or as a visitor. Immigration is the ideal but if that's not in the
cards, then there are other possibilites.

>>> Immigration

Immigration refers to the act of leaving one country to establish
permanent residency in another. To immigrate to Canada, and
specifically British Columbia, a person much qualify in one of the
following categories:

1. Skilled Worker Class Immigration
2. Business Class Immigration
3. Family Class Immigration
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html
4. Provincial Nomination
http://www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/amip/pnp/

If all goes well and the person officially immigrates to Canada, he or
she becomes a "Permanent Resident" upon officially entering Canada and
will enjoy most of the rights that Canadian citizens have under the
Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including universal health care. The
person may apply for naturalized Canadian citizenship after three
years of residence but it's not a requirement. It's possible to live
in Canada as a permanent resident for the rest of one's life without
ever becoming a Canadian citizen. There is a common myth being
circulated these days that if you do become a Canadian citizen you
automatically give up your U.S. citizenship. This is a false
assumption and there are many "dual citizens" enjoying the best of two
countries.


>>> Visitor Status

If a person isn't eligible for immigration, it is still possible to
own a home in Canada.  While there was once a retirement category for
permanent residency for those who could show that they had the
financial means to support themselves, unfortunately this category no
longer exists and there is no "extended stay visa" that would allow
you to stay in Canada for extended periods of time.

Officially, you may enter Canada for up to six months each year (six
months in the U.S., six months in Canada). This can be six consecutive
months or it can be broken up into smaller visits over the course of a
year. This means that you must maintain a presence in the United
States. However, in reality, many Americans move to Canada, return to
the U.S. in six months, fill up their gas tank, do a bit of shopping,
and then turn around and reenter Canada for another six months.
Depending on the Canadian border officials at the time (everything is
always at their discretion), this works well for awhile but it is
risky.  Everything at the border is about "intent" and as a visitor,
your intent must be to make a temporary (or vacation) home in Canada
and not to be establishing a permanent residence. Therefore, there
will never be any guarantee that you will be allowed to return to your
Vancouver residence once your six months in any given year has been
met.

Information on BC: Border and Customs in British Columbia
Visas & Immigration
Entry is usually granted for six months unless otherwise indicated in
writing. Citizens or permanent residents of the US do not need
passports or visas to enter Canada, but proof of citizenship such as a
birth certificate, voter's registration, or baptismal certificate must
be carried. Proof of residence, such as a driver's licence, should
also be carried. At least one ID card with a photo must be carried."
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/information/details.asp?id=4

AAA Mountain West Canadian and Mexican Border Crossing Information
"Visas are not required for U.S. tourists entering Canada from the
U.S. for stays up to 180 days."
http://ww1.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline.woa/2014/wo/kXsWQ8uHhSodhCtaZew07M/3.7.13.8.5.0.1.2.2.77.1.0.1.1.0.0

>>> Work Permit

The next best thing to immigration is the work permit. If your wife
could get an HRSDC job offer from a Canadian employer, the six month
rule would no longer apply.

"Every year over 90,000 foreign workers enter Canada working
temporarily to help Canadian employers address skill shortages in
Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources
and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) ensure that these workers will
support economic growth in Canada and create more opportunities for
all Canadian job seekers.
In almost all cases you must have a valid work permit to work in Canada.
These steps must be followed before you apply for a work permit:
   1. An employer must first offer you a job.
   2. HRSDC must normally provide a labour market opinion or
?confirmation? of your job offer. However, some types of work are
exempt from this process.
   3. After HRSDC confirms that a foreign national may fill the job,
you apply to CIC for your work permit.
"You cannot immigrate with a work permit. If you want to come and live
in Canada as a permanent resident based on your work skills or
experience, see if you qualify for the Skilled Worker Program."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.html

Jobs Exempt from Work Permit Requirement
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/exempt-1.html


>>> Health Insurance

Any time you visit Canada, make sure your insurance will cover you
during your visit. This applies whether your visit last just a few
days or six months. Consider tacking on "evacuation" coverage so you
could be transported to a U.S. hospital if needed.

"Traditional Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United
States for any period of time.Medicare HMO's will provide coverage for
emergency care outside the country but you must retain residence in
their coverage area."
http://seniorhealth.about.com/cs/medicare/f/medicare_cov.htm 


Additional Links of Interest

"For example, a U.S. citizen who retires can't become a permanent
Canadian resident and could not live there full-time, according to the
Canadian Consulate in Detroit. Americans who own vacation property in
Ontario must maintain a permanent residence in the United States and
stay in Canada only for up to six months at a time."
http://www.freep.com/news/mich/cott26_20000826.htm

Why Would Americans Move to Canada?
http://immigration.about.com/od/livingincanada/a/USLibstoCanada_2.htm

Buying Property In Canada - The Rules And Regulations!
"The bottom line is that buying property in Canada is very easy. From
a bureaucratic standpoint, as long as you don?t plan to become a
landed immigrant, buying land is probably easier than it would be at
home. It takes much less time to complete the sale on a property as we
do not have an escrow period on purchases. From a residency point of
view, if you plan to stay in Canada for 6 months or less each year,
the government considers you a tourist or non-resident. That means you
can do just about anything - open a bank account, buy land or a car
etc.
American's who purchase property can come to Canada for a total of 6
months. These visits can be cumulative - 2 weeks here, 4 weeks there
etc. You do not have to come for a consecutive 6 month period. This
means that you can own a second home in Canada and visit it as you
wish. If you plan to live in Canada for more than 6 months annually,
you have to apply for immigrant status and you should visit our
Immigration link below for further information."
WITHHOLDING TAXES AND NON-RESIDENTS
"When a non-resident of Canada sells real property (land and/or
building), in Canada, there is a system for withholding taxes,
designed to ensure that the non-resident complies with Canadian income
tax law. There are 3 stages in the collection of the income taxes
associated with the sale of real property by non-residents:..."
http://lifestylerealty.com/foreign.html 

"There are no restrictions on non-residents purchasing property in
British Columbia. There is no citizenship requirement to own land in
B.C. There are restrictions on how much time may be spent in B.C. each
year as a non-resident property owner. There are also income tax
considerations to be aware of when a non-resident rents out a property
or sells a property in British Columbia.
http://www.gulfislandsrealestate.com/nonResident/

Evidence of Residence  / tax issues
http://www.centa.com/articles/U.S.Cdntaxation.htm

I enjoyed working on this for you and I hope I haven't discouraged you
from pursuing your dream. If you have any questions, please feel free
to post another clarification.

Thank you,
hummer

Some of the Google Search Terms Used: 

canada americans maintain residence U.S.  living 6 months "british
columbia" owning property retire buy bc canada

---

Request for Answer Clarification by firebird-ga on 27 Aug 2005 12:57 PDT

Dear Hummer,  In fact, rather than discouraging me, you give me hope. 
Before we close, I have one question.  If as a retired person I don't
fall under any presently acceptable categories and the "retired
person" category has been discontinued, where does that place me? 
firebird

---

Clarification of Answer by hummer-ga on 27 Aug 2005 15:03 PDT

Dear firebird,

Forgive me if I wasn't clear (again!). Here are the three options with
*you* in mind this time!

Immigration:

If your wife become a permanent resident of Canada, she would be able
to sponsor you to immigrate also.

"The new spousal policy sets out that most spouses and common-law
partners in a genuine relationship with a Canadian citizen or
permanent resident, regardless of status, are able to apply for
permanent residence while remaining in Canada. This change, however,
only applies to situations where a family class sponsorship has been
submitted."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/faq-spouse.html

Work Permit:

If your wife got a work permit, you would be able to come with her as
long as you applied for permission to do so.

May my spouse or common-law partner and dependent children accompany me to Canada?
"Your spouse or common-law partner and children who wish to visit
Canada must apply for permission to do so. As long as you all apply
together it will not be necessary for each person to fill out separate
application forms. List the names and other information about your
family members in the appropriate space on the application. If you
require more space, attach a separate piece of paper and indicate the
number and letter that you are answering."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5487E2.html

Visitor

This is the same for both of you and it is as I explained earlier.

I'm glad to hear that I gave you some hope because I know exactly how
you feel. If your wife is only missing a couple of points for the
skilled worker category, perhaps she could take some French immersion
courses to gain a few points?

Good luck!
Sincerely,
hummer

Hummer:  I can no other answer make but thanks and thanks and ever
thanks good friend for thy much goodness and for thy care.  I know I
shall have good luck.  firebird

Firebird,
The "subject" of your question asks about citizenship, but the
contents of it are about residency, which Hummer-ga discusses. 
Indeed, one can immigrate without becoming a citizen.
Just to make sure:  are you also asking about gaining Canadian citizenship?

I have not checked about dual Can-US citizenship, but as a rule, US
citizenship can be maintained despite becoming a citizen of another
country. The tax consequences should be considered, but that is a
different question.
Myoarin

Dear Mr. and Mrs. firebird,

In this digital age, people often marvel at computers and their
ability to deliver information to the global community. However,
although we may communicate more often and at faster speeds, sincerity
and emotion are often lost, replaced by canned replies and glib
remarks. Your message conveys a genuineness so seldom seen these days
and it touches me deeply.  The next time someone asks me why I'm a GA
researcher, I'll think of you, smile softly and say, "I enjoy helping
friends".

One last thought regarding Canada -

"Have patience. In time, even grass becomes milk"
Maharaj Ji Charan Singh (1916-1990) Indian mystic

Thank you for your thank you's and generosity.
Take care you two,
hummer