Is it possible to retire to the USA?

[rlbismarch]

Originally Posted by JohnSoCal

There are millions of people from different countries that have retired in the US. My parents moved from Canada to retire full time in Arizona.

It has always been my understanding that one needs to get a green card to LEGALLY remain in the USA longer than the 6-month-less-a-day which is usual for visitors like "snowbirds". My spouse and I would dearly like to know how to legally remain in the USA for extended periods of time without running afoul of both the USA laws. ( as well as Canadian provincial health plans, if at all possible.) Do I, or we, need to get a job in an industry where there is a need in order to get a green card? For how long as a minimum if so? Would it help if we own a property in the USA? By the way, Arizona is where we would like to be also!
I would very much appreciate any help and enlightenment from anyone.We are one year away from our 65th and would really prefer to retire in a warmer climate than manitoba!!!RLBISMARCH.

[Bevdeforges]

The trick is that, should you get a green card, I think that more or less automatically cuts off your Canadian health care coverage - as you are no longer resident in Canada.

To qualify for a green card, you normally need someone to petition for you - either an employer (who can get authorization to hire someone from outside the US) or a family member (parent, adult child or sibling).

Just getting a job in the US won't work unless you can qualify for the sort of visa that leads to a green card. And BTW, it's possible to stay in the US for longer than six months on certain types of visas - it's just that repeated trips back and forth may be held against you.
Cheers,
Bev

[twostep]

Have your read through the various visa options on USISC.gov?

Unless you have skill sets which will blow an employer out of the water your age and the need for a visa will realistically make a move through employement highly impossible.

Family reunion if applicable will take years.

You always have the option of investor which depends on your financial situation and your willingness to take risks,

You can apply for a B1 which allows up to 180 days of consecutive stay and apply for an extension during your stay. Both require proof of binding ties to your home country.

Property ownership has no influence on immigration. Please use the search function this is a regular question.

Medicare.gov will answer all questions regarding medical insurance. Unless you are a legal resident you are not qualified.

[synthia]

Canadians have different rules, so you would have more options.

The medical care issue is important. As I understand it, you must spend six months and a day in Canada to retain medical coverage. I think it covers you outside the country as long as you spend more than half the year in the US.

If you are going to be in the US full time, then you are stuck with getting private medical insurance, which will be expensive or, if you have any pre-existing conditions (diabetes, COPD, heart problems, etc.) impossible to get. And they will look hard for reasons to reject you.

There was a thread on here started by someone who was in the US and wanted to move her parents down from Canada to be near her. She looked into Medicare eligibility, and was told that there could be a sort of credit transfer once her parents were naturalized. She was quite happy until she realized that 'naturalized' referred to citizenship, which can only be obtained after five years residence.

Look at it all very carefully.

[hughie]

We're Canadians, 67 and 68, and we have no wish to seek work in the US.We own 'snowbird' a home in Myrtle Beach and would just like to relocate permanently from Quebec to here. We know about health care issues.
Can we just stay in MB and wait for the US govt to class us as mostly resident in the US?
What should we do and waht are the problems?

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by hughie

We're Canadians, 67 and 68, and we have no wish to seek work in the US.We own 'snowbird' a home in Myrtle Beach and would just like to relocate permanently from Quebec to here. We know about health care issues.
Can we just stay in MB and wait for the US govt to class us as mostly resident in the US?
What should we do and waht are the problems?

If you enter as a visitor, the tax man will classify you as resident after 180 days. The immigration folks will classify you as out of status after the same period if you haven't left.

Long term solutions usually involve money: an E2 or EB5, for example. Or even a job if you qualify for TN status and want to go back to work.

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by rlbismarch

It has always been my understanding that one needs to get a green card to LEGALLY remain in the USA longer than the 6-month-less-a-day which is usual for visitors like "snowbirds". My spouse and I would dearly like to know how to legally remain in the USA for extended periods of time without running afoul of both the USA laws. ( as well as Canadian provincial health plans, if at all possible.) Do I, or we, need to get a job in an industry where there is a need in order to get a green card? For how long as a minimum if so? Would it help if we own a property in the USA? By the way, Arizona is where we would like to be also!
I would very much appreciate any help and enlightenment from anyone.We are one year away from our 65th and would really prefer to retire in a warmer climate than manitoba!!!RLBISMARCH.

They applied for their resident cards ( aka Green Cards ) on their own at the US consulate in Vancouver, BC Canada. They were 62 and 61 when they received their Green Cards. I was not involved in their acquiring the resident visas. While they were waiting for their visas, they did stay several months (<6) each year in the US. They were able to work or do whatever just like any other Green Card holder. They were able to get Medicare when they reached 65 by paying for both parts A and B. They then got a Medicare Advantage plan. With Medicare or any of the Medicare Advantage plans any pre-existing conditions etc. are not an issue. I have a Medicare Advantage plan that is excellent.

By the way, my parents retired to Arizona.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by JohnSoCal

They applied for their resident cards ( aka Green Cards ) on their own at the US consulate in Vancouver, BC Canada. They were 62 and 61 when they received their Green Cards. I was not involved in their acquiring the resident visas. While they were waiting for their visas, they did stay several months (<6) each year in the US.

Unless I've missed it somewhere, you don't state on what basis they were eligible for their green cards.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by rlbismarch

It has always been my understanding that one needs to get a green card to LEGALLY remain in the USA longer than the 6-month-less-a-day which is usual for visitors like "snowbirds".

A green card is certainly the firmest base to live for extended periods in the US -- but it is not the only method. Many live here for long periods on other visas either because they do not qualify for a green card or for other reasons such as taxation issues.

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Unless I've missed it somewhere, you don't state on what basis they were eligible for their green cards.

To be honest, I don't know all the details as I wasn't involved in the process. I was living in San Diego, California at the time. I do know that they had to prove they had sufficient income. They were definitely not wealthy.