U.S. Citizen With home on PEI

[bodington]

My wife & I own a home on PEI. We always spend 6 consecutive months on the Island. We are at a point where we would love to spend more time on the Island. I'm a retired teacher, my wife is an artist showing at various galleries. We don't want to get on to the Canadian health plan, or pension, or anything else. We would just like to spend more than six months in Canada and from time to time go back to the U.S. to visit our grandchildren. Are there any options open to us that allows us to stay longer? Thanks, Bodington

 

[scylla]

I think you really have two options.

Once you are close to the end of your six month visit, apply (within Canada) for an extension to your visit.

Alternatively, you could leave Canada at the end of the six months, cross back into the US and they try to return the same day.

Neither provides a guarantee you will be allowed to stay longer. I would go with Option #1 over Option #2.

 

[sting]

Go to the nearest boarder and get it extended. I think that would be the easiest way for you.

 

[YorkFactory]

FYI, if you're in Canada more than 183 days in a year, you are a resident for tax purposes, and would need to file a tax return accordingly.

 

[KittyAW]

FYI, if you're in Canada more than 183 days in a year, you are a resident for tax purposes, and would need to file a tax return accordingly.

Please provide an official Canadian gov reference for this statement as it NOT trivial.

 

[YorkFactory]

Please provide an official Canadian gov reference for this statement as it NOT trivial.

It's really not that hard to find, but here you go. The 183-day rule appears not to apply if you are considered to be a resident of another country, but you can't tell the IRS that you're not a U.S. resident and then tell CRA you're not a Canadian resident, either.

But owning a home in Canada, as the OP does, and spending the majority of your time there, would make you a resident of Canada, especially if the home is available for your use at all times.