Benefits for Canadians living abroad (2024)

FAQs

How long can I stay abroad without losing my benefits in Canada? ›

If you do not qualify for receiving Old Age Security outside Canada, your payments will stop if you are out of the country for more than 6 months after the month you left. You cannot collect the Guaranteed Income Supplement if you are outside of Canada for more than 6 months.

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. Comprehensive international health insurance can help you get access to these medical services.

Resident Status

If the CRA establishes your residence status as a Canadian resident, you'll pay income tax on income earned anywhere in the world. Even if you spend some time working outside Canada, you'll still be liable to pay federal and territorial tax.

As a Canadian citizen, am I allowed to stay outside the country for as long I want? Once you are a Canadian citizen, there is no requirements for you to live or work in Canada. You are free to go and settle in any country in the world and still hold the Canadian citizenship indefinitely.

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.

Can I get US insurance when I am already in the US? YES! Canadians CAN purchase US travel insurance policies from American Visitor Insurance to cover the remainder of their stay (as long as they like).

Although we share a border with the States, your provincial or territorial health plan may not cover your medical fees or may only cover a small portion when travelling outside of Canada.

The $1,200 per month is the federal benefits offered to every old age Canadian from the Government age when the recipient reaches the eligibility age. These are the Government programs that provide monthly assistance to eligible old age recipients with low income every month.

What free benefits do Canadians have? ›

Budget 2024 also makes transformative new investments, including a National School Food Program and the Canada Disability Benefit. Third, this year's budget will grow the economy in a way that's shared by all. The Government's plan will increase investment, enhance productivity, and encourage innovation.

If you entered Canada

You may be considered a deemed resident of Canada if you have not established significant residential ties with Canada to be considered a factual resident, but you stayed in Canada for 183 or more days in the year.

If you sojourned in Canada for 183 days or more (the 183-day rule) in the tax year, do not have significant residential ties with Canada, and are not considered a resident of another country under the terms of a tax treaty between Canada and that country, see Deemed residents of Canada for the rules that apply to you.

Residency status

You are a factual resident of Canada for income tax purposes if you keep significant residential ties in Canada while living or travelling outside the country. The term factual resident means that, although you left Canada, you are still considered to be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes.

Residency visa or permit: If you stay in a country beyond the period allowed by a typical tourist visa (usually three to six months) for reasons such as retirement abroad, you'll need a residency visa or permit.

As a non-resident of Canada, you may be entitled to apply for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments and Old Age Security Pension (OAS) payments. Canada also has agreements with a number of other countries that offer comparable pension programs.

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.

If you spent over 183 days in the U.S. in the current year, you may claim a treaty exemption to be deemed a resident of Canada and not a U.S. income tax resident.