Clarification on rules for Canadian length of stay in US

joebedford wrote:
There are many many Canadians who say "How are they going to know? I don't have to do that". Now we know how they're going to know: exit tracking has been coming for at least a couple of years and now it's here. It's not new news.

It's the same deal as health insurance. People stay out of Ontario (where I live) for more than 7 months then when they have a big claim they whine that the big bad insurance company won't pay. Emergency medical is SECONDARY insurance and is invalid without PRIMARY insurance.

Despite the fact that we don't want the American government to know anything about us, it's their country and their rules: we fill out 8840 every year. It's easy.

Would you mind taking a look at this thread,maybe you could help us out. :) Thanks.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28161940.cfm

FULLTIMEWANABE wrote:
Well Rehoppe it appears we have one thing in our favour: Just call me ET, because as non-resident aliens (love being called an alien, such an endearing term don't ya think?), it appears we don't have to get a local Colorado drivers license or retag, even if we over stay the 90 day limit there. Unfortunately we may never get the opportunity to take advantage of it in that state due to total number of days we can be south of the border in one year, and I ain't intending to leave our snow & ice covered Rocky Mountains to go shiver in a tin can in yours for several months (LOL). By the way, we love, love, love Colorado on past summer visits or for a skiing week, it's a beautiful state.




Cheers, ET

You Alien! :B

Sorry about the paperwork.

FULLTIMEWANABE wrote:


Rather than upset anyone through lack of understanding forum protocol, would it be OK to post it on this forum to hopefully get some response from other Canadians on how to complete some specific line items accurately or would I get a slapped wrist for posting the same questions in two different websites? I ask because I saw this happen to someone else on a totally different topic a while back.

Cheers, ET

Go ahead and post your question here in the snowbird forum either on this thread or start a new thread with a different title with your specific questions.

Well Rehoppe it appears we have one thing in our favour: Just call me ET, because as non-resident aliens (love being called an alien, such an endearing term don't ya think?), it appears we don't have to get a local Colorado drivers license or retag, even if we over stay the 90 day limit there. Unfortunately we may never get the opportunity to take advantage of it in that state due to total number of days we can be south of the border in one year, and I ain't intending to leave our snow & ice covered Rocky Mountains to go shiver in a tin can in yours for several months (LOL). By the way, we love, love, love Colorado on past summer visits or for a skiing week, it's a beautiful state.

All joking aside we've resigned ourselves to complete this 8840 form, but as we've gone through it we've found some parts we aren't sure how to complete accurately, and I've searched on the snowbird forum here, as was suggested by an escapee member to check out, and there's no reference to these specifics. With over 68 views when I last checked there has been zero response on the escapees forum, which has been a little disappointing and it just gets buried deeper.

Rather than upset anyone through lack of understanding forum protocol, would it be OK to post it on this forum to hopefully get some response from other Canadians on how to complete some specific line items accurately or would I get a slapped wrist for posting the same questions in two different websites? I ask because I saw this happen to someone else on a totally different topic a while back.

Cheers, ET

It's not just Canadians who have 'special' rules to contend with.

Most states have 'residency' legislation that is applicable to people from other states as well. Makes it weird and tough on the snowbirds. But 'legally' you have 30 days to get Colorado plates and Dr License, if staying in-state continuously.

Normally it doesn't seem to be vigorously enforced,,,, but if you say the wrong things,,,, to the wrong person...... the fines stack up Very quickly. Colorado derives a large part of it's state revenues from 'personal property taxes'. I've heard the fines associated with non compliance add up to over $1500.....now that's an ouch.

Several states are heading in that direction to collect revenue from the semi migrant segment of the population. It's obvious that funds are needed.... too many bridges are about to fail.

Oh I wasn't being derogatory and as I said "we appreciate the opportunity to spend time in foreign countries", I was referencing why they wouldn't have the IRS and immigration rules on days tied into each other - would just have made more sense to us, but what do we know? With all the proof, utility bills, drivers licenses, income statements, proof of employment, pensions, banking etc we provide at the border of our close connection to Canada, I just can't see what the benefit to them is to completing another piece of paper based on the difference of 122 days versus 182 days.

Not meaning to go off topic but just trying to respond to why we feel more and more things are weird to us: Also as another example that we can't get our heads around, and believe me this is just one of many strange things we've encountered: we had two whole tomatoes to make some sandwiches, were made to pull over and take inside. They just threw in their garbage, then said, if they were sliced we could have kept them - well thanks for telling us after you confiscated them. If we had known we'd have sliced the darn things, though what that changes about them I don't know?

A handful of grapes we were healthily chomping on going down the road another time, asked us to show them, then tipped these half dozen grapes into their garbage can at the open window, when we queried why very sheepishly were told because they come from Chile and they might have a fly on them from Chile. Hmmmm, Canada doesn't vet it's produce before hitting the supermarkets? We just assumed these global travelling flies "if" present were hyper intelligent ones, to know that they mustn't jump out of his garbage can and fly any further south, as that was the border crossing.

Like I said, we heartily accept different countries have different rules and regs and we are great believers in when in Rome do as the Romans do, something we unfortunately don't always see followed in our own countries, however, that doesn't mean we don't find some way of doing things a little strange/weird by officialdoms in any country. Like I said this is just a couple of many weird and wonderful things we've experienced when it comes to dealing with officaldoms, and we continue to shake our heads as do many others.

Look on the bright side. If the US adopted the European Union rules the time would be limited to 3 months. Extensions to the 3 month rule can be granted by each individual country but only after applying for a Visa which cost around $200.
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html

Did you ever try to travel to Mexico by car? If you go past the border region you need to temporarily import your car. You pay for this (around $44) you need to post a bond ($400) and you are limited to a 6 month stay. However to stay 6 months you also need to apply for an FMT (tourist permit) for $22. Oh and Mexico will not recognize your auto insurance, so you must buy that too. from a Mexican insurance company.
http://www.mexpro.com/mexico/vehicle-import-permit.html

I'm sure Canadian "officialdom" seems weird to US citizens traveling in Canada also. Their country, their rules is the operative phrase.
Brian

Thanks for the input, we're going to complete and send in for sure.

Whilst we appreciate the opportunity to travel in the USA (just the same as "any" country typically and reciprocates!), we do find that they have very weird ways of doing things, at officialdom level, and there's a distinct "them and us" sense even down at individual states/county level officials. It does make us wonder sometimes if they are trying their hardest to stop all folks wanting to visit/invest in the USA?. Oh well, it is wot it is and we either accept it or don't go there :(

There are many many Canadians who say "How are they going to know? I don't have to do that". Now we know how they're going to know: exit tracking has been coming for at least a couple of years and now it's here. It's not new news.

It's the same deal as health insurance. People stay out of Ontario (where I live) for more than 7 months then when they have a big claim they whine that the big bad insurance company won't pay. Emergency medical is SECONDARY insurance and is invalid without PRIMARY insurance.

Despite the fact that we don't want the American government to know anything about us, it's their country and their rules: we fill out 8840 every year. It's easy.