Hello All,DW and I have been thinking/dreaming of a life on the road but being from Canada and being restricted to ## of days/year out of the country I'm curious what other Canadian Full-timers may offer for advice as to how you manage that time?We are thinking we would:SPRING/FALL in warmer parts of Canada (interior BC?, Southern ON)SUMMER wherever you want in CanadaWINTER travelling down South. (Nov-Mar?)What do other Canucks do to manage the restrictions?I have also heard of Canucks that are gone year round which makes me wonder "what exactly do you lose" if you forget about the restriction and just go. Would love to travel the U.S. year round but not if that means losing major benefits of being Canuck. I have searched a bit on the topic and read pages and pages of the RULES but I have never got a clear understanding of what happens when you break those rules? Does my left arm fall off?? LOL

You may want to post this in the Canada forum.......

Hi,I go south from Mid November to Mid March. My RV is capable of withstanding -40, after some modifications.

If you want health care you have to be in your home province for between 6 months and 200 days. Check your plan as each one is a bit different.Most travel insurance demands you have a valid Canadian health plan in effect.Should you use an address out of Canada you will not qualify for certain benefits, like OAS supplement or health care.Should you be caught in the USA for over 182 days you can be deported and they will not allow you back into the country for some time.Of course they will also probably ask you to file a tax return.Most car insurance requires the vehicle be in Canada for at least 6 months out of the year. The DMV requires a physical address on document, a PO box is not good enough.

From what we've been able to glean, most folks technically rent a room from a family member/friend to have as their official home base for officialdom requirements such as drivers license etc. We are prepping to go from extended to FT within the next couple of years, and as far as we understand it, we have to be present in our province for 5 months per year to retain our health care. How they track your presence within the province I don't know.If you are spending a large amount of time down in the USA then you should also look into whether/when necessary for you completing Form 8840 based on your previous 3 years presence = closer connection to home form courtesy of Uncle Sam.www.travelwithkevinandruth.com These folks are a lovely frugal Canadian couple FT Rving general, as well other style of travellers for several years and may be a good source for you on specific Q's.Others we personally know of are typically Snowbirds in the USA 5 to 6 months winters, and BC generally as a homebase, mainly due to the kinder climate for the shoulder months. However, there are some Northern AB and many other province folks that do full-time as well. AB will remain our homebase province when we FT.

Tracking is usually done by demanding you produce "proof" ....Home rent or tax receipts, credit card statements, cell phone bills etc.Always be sure you leave a paper trail ..... for instance buy fuel at home on a credit card, when away for a weekend use cash.

Canadian Full-Timers | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

Gruffy
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Tracking is usually done by demanding you produce "proof" ....

Home rent or tax receipts, credit card statements, cell phone bills etc.

Always be sure you leave a paper trail ..... for instance buy fuel at home on a credit card, when away for a weekend use cash.
FULLTIMEWANABE
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
From what we've been able to glean, most folks technically rent a room from a family member/friend to have as their official home base for officialdom requirements such as drivers license etc.

We are prepping to go from extended to FT within the next couple of years, and as far as we understand it, we have to be present in our province for 5 months per year to retain our health care. How they track your presence within the province I don't know.

If you are spending a large amount of time down in the USA then you should also look into whether/when necessary for you completing Form 8840 based on your previous 3 years presence = closer connection to home form courtesy of Uncle Sam.

www.travelwithkevinandruth.com These folks are a lovely frugal Canadian couple FT Rving general, as well other style of travellers for several years and may be a good source for you on specific Q's.

Others we personally know of are typically Snowbirds in the USA 5 to 6 months winters, and BC generally as a homebase, mainly due to the kinder climate for the shoulder months. However, there are some Northern AB and many other province folks that do full-time as well. AB will remain our homebase province when we FT.
Gruffy
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
If you want health care you have to be in your home province for between 6 months and 200 days. Check your plan as each one is a bit different.

Most travel insurance demands you have a valid Canadian health plan in effect.

Should you use an address out of Canada you will not qualify for certain benefits, like OAS supplement or health care.

Should you be caught in the USA for over 182 days you can be deported and they will not allow you back into the country for some time.

Of course they will also probably ask you to file a tax return.

Most car insurance requires the vehicle be in Canada for at least 6 months out of the year. The DMV requires a physical address on document, a PO box is not good enough.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 26, 2015
Hi,

I go south from Mid November to Mid March. My RV is capable of withstanding -40, after some modifications.
DianneOK
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
You may want to post this in the Canada forum.......

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