Canadian in Thailand / Meets LICO / Sponsoring Parents

[sutthipong]

Dear all,

1) I am a Canadian citizen of Thai origin.

2) Still single and having returned and been back and forth between Canada and Thailand for 5 years.

3) However, I sometimes have to spend 6-12 months in Thailand but continue to use address in Canada. I have a friend who takes care of all the correspondences (bank statements, letters) for me while I am away for a short period.

4) I am considering moving back to Canada permanently.

5) However, I cannot leave my parents, both 62 and retired, in Thailand whatsoever because I am their only son.

6) We have net investment income from Canadian sources that is more than sufficient to meet LICO.





I have studied the CIC website and found this:

You must live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.

What does the above statement mean?

Under the situation described earlier, am I eligible to sponsor my parents?

Thank you for your help to enlighten me on this.

 

[Leon]

You must be living in Canada to sponsor your parents, see:

If you are a Canadian citizen who lives abroad and plans to return to Canada when your relatives immigrate, you may sponsor your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or your dependent children who have no dependent children. For more information, see Spouses, partners and dependent children in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.

To sponsor any other eligible relatives (for example, parents and grandparents), you must be living in Canada.

 

[sutthipong]

Thank you very much, Leon.

In such case, am I considered "living in Canada"?

 

[Leon]

Thank you very much, Leon.

In such case, am I considered "living in Canada"?

I don't know what immigration considers but the taxman considers you living in Canada if you are in Canada half of the year or more but could also be considered if you have assets in Canada etc. Still, I think it would be hard to stretch that you are living in Canada if you are gone for 12 months at a time.