So if I were to move to Canada how long would it

[doc03]

take to be eligible for their health care coverage? I heard it was 3 years if so can you buy into it and what would it cost?

[sinkingfeeling]

1. First, Canada has to let you in. They have a system of awarding points for your education

and work experience. They refuse retirees from the US.

[doc03]

3. Damn there goes that idea, I was thinking in a couple months

when I retire maybe I could move up there, eh. What if I go there for political asylum from a corrupt and dysfunctional government?

[earth mom]

5. I'm sure everyone in the U.S. thinks they can escape to Canada for the health care.

They are going to find that it ain't so easy.

[SteveM]

4. Hell, they refuse retirees in THIS country.

[proudohioan]

7. Yeah, and those are the American-born citizen retirees! n/t

[doc03]

8. There are tons of Canadian retirees in Florida, the snowbirds

anyway.

[Captain Hilts]

2. You can't just move there. You need a sponsor, etc. I was eligible for OHIP because I was at a U.

[Monk06]

6. "Any person lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada" can apply for health coverage

The waiting period is 90 days minimum but you
must be a permanent resident which usually means you
need a work visa or you have landed immigrant status.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/res/faq-eng.php#a2

AFAIK retirees must be self supporting and be able to prove
they will not apply for social services until they are
a permanent resident of the province. You must reside in
the Province (BC) for six months before you qualify for
welfare or health insurance under BCMED

That's the best of my understanding anyway.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Not really. One must have a relative to act as sponsor for a US citizen to retire in Canada.

The Government of Canada provides an excellent website which will
answer most questions:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC):
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

To immigrate to Canada, you need to fall into one of these groups:

1. Skilled Worker Class Immigration
2. Business Class Immigration
3. Family Class Immigration
4. International Adoption
5. Provincial Nomination
6. Quebec-Selected Immigration

Since you will be retired, that leaves you with one option, number 3.
Do you have any relatives in British Columbia who can sponsor you?
Even though you have enough money to support yourself, you will still
need to be sponsored by a relative.

"If you wish to become a permanent resident of Canada, your relative
or family member in Canada must first apply to sponsor you."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html

[Monk06]

12. Thanks forgot the sponsor snag. But a lot of US citizens have relatives in Canada so for them it's

easier.

[JackintheGreen]

9. It took my mother-in-law YEARS

She moved up there in 2002 an just got covered last year.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

10. There's a fast track if you're prepared to invest

a quarter million into the economy. This can be done via real estate, bank investments etc. You still won't receive
coverage for months if not years.