To maintain provincial health insurance, you generally cannot stay outside your Canadian province for more than 6 to 7 months (183–212 days) in a 12-month period. Permanent Residents (PR) must be in Canada for 730 days over a 5-year period. Exceeding these limits can result in losing coverage or residency status.
To remain eligible for your Canadian provincial/territorial government health insurance, you cannot travel outside your province/territory of residence for a total of more than 7 months (212 days) within a year, or 6 months (183 days) if you live in Quebec, PEI or Nunavut. This includes travel within Canada.
In actual fact, you can be absent from Canada as long as you want. The Canadian government recognizes that citizens may travel extensively, work or study abroad. You will always maintain your Canadian citizenship. What absentia may affect is your Canadian health care coverage and income tax.
Canada's 183-day rule is a key factor in determining tax residency: if you stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you're generally considered a resident for tax purposes for that entire year (a "deemed resident"), even if you don't have strong ties, subjecting your worldwide income to Canadian tax. However, this rule works alongside Canada's complex residency tests and tax treaties, meaning you might become a resident sooner with significant ties (like family or property) or avoid it if a treaty designates you a resident of another country.
There Is No “Six-Months-Per-Year Rule” for Canadians. Many Canadians mistakenly believe they may only spend six months each year in the United States. The truth: There is no U.S. rule limiting Canadians to six months total per year.
You may need a visa to travel to the U.S.
Canadian passport holders don't need a visa to travel to the U.S. for tourism purposes. For stays in the U.S. of 30 days or more, Canadian passport holders must present the I-94 form. issued on entry upon request.
You can leave and come back to Canada multiple times as long as your visitor visa has not expired.
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. If you're allowed to enter Canada, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If that's the case, they'll put the date you need to leave by in your passport.
Canadians travelling extensively, living or working abroad may still have to pay Canadian and provincial or territorial income taxes.
Residency status
You live outside Canada throughout the tax year. You stay in Canada for less than 183 days in the tax year.
Therefore, provided you have severed primary residential ties to Canada, it is possible to maintain certain secondary ties to Canada such as maintaining a bank account, investment account or credit card. The date you become a resident of the new country you are immigrating to.
As a Canadian expat living, working or traveling overseas, you will not have access to many government-funded healthcare services. Therefore, you need extra health care insurance to bridge the gap. A comprehensive global health plan can help you get access to these medical services.
Super Visa: Extended Stays With Family
The Super Visa offers the most practical option for many American retirees who have Canadian children or grandchildren. This multiple-entry visa allows you to stay up to 5 years at a time without renewing your status, with the visa valid for up to 10 years total.
Maintaining provincial health coverage (if applicable)
If you plan to live abroad part-time and keep your provincial or territorial health plan, most jurisdictions require that you be physically present in your home province for at least 182 days per calendar year.
Receiving your payments while living outside Canada
You can receive OAS payments while living abroad if: You lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18. You lived and worked in a country with a social security agreement with Canada, and your combined time in both countries is at least 20 years.
If you're entitled to Universal Credit when you go abroad, you can continue to get it for up to 6 months.
Canada's 90% rule helps non-residents and recent immigrants claim full federal tax credits (like the Basic Personal Amount) if 90% or more of their net worldwide income for the relevant tax year is from Canadian sources; otherwise, credits are prorated (reduced) based on their Canadian residency period, ensuring fairness for those who weren't residents all year.
If an individual, who, as a matter of fact, is considered not a resident of Canada, sojourns (i.e. is temporarily resident) in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, the individual is deemed to be resident in Canada for that entire year.
Quick Takeaways. Dual citizens must file taxes in both the U.S. (worldwide income) and Canada (residency-based). Use the U.S.–Canada tax treaty to avoid double taxation through credits and exemptions. Key forms include Form 1040, FBAR, and Form 8938 for the IRS; T1 and T1135 for the CRA.
You may leave Canada for more than 6 months, as long you meet the residency requirements stated above. However, it is recommended that you wait to do so until you have your Permanent Resident (PR) Card. Your PR Card is your proof of residency in Canada.
Can a U.S. citizen retire in Canada? Yes—but there's no specific “retirement visa.” You'll need to qualify through other immigration routes, such as family sponsorship, a start-up visa, or a skilled worker or investor program.
Canada's public healthcare system, known as Medicare, offers free healthcare services, but only to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. For foreigners, healthcare coverage is not automatically available.
The Government of Canada collects biographic entry information on all travellers entering the country, but currently has no reliable way of knowing when and where they leave the country.