Retiring in Canada: How U.S. Seniors Can Stay Beyond 6 Months

Many seniors on Substack have mentioned wishing they could move to Canada. Although options are fairly restrictive, some pathways do exist to enable the retired to live in Canada for more than six months. This article will attempt to explain these pathways in general form. Keep in mind, I’m not an immigration expert by any stretch. Please consult the links provided and/or an immigration attorney has needed.

Photo by James on Unsplash

Start Here: 6-Month Visitor

Visitor Info (IRCC)

As previously mentioned in my article on Pathways into Canada, Americans don’t need a visa to enter Canada. You’re allowed to stay for up to 6 months per visit. This is the easiest, no-strings way to test out Canadian life. You will need private travel insurance to cover your healthcare needs.

Extend Your Stay: Visitor Record

Extend a Visitor Stay (IRCC)

If you’re already in Canada and decide you want to stay longer than 6 months, you can apply online for an extension of your visitor status. This is called a “visitor record.” You will need to maintain your private health insurance

You must:

• Apply at least 30 days before your status expires

• Show you can financially support yourself

• Explain why you want to stay longer

Family Connection: Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents

Canada has paused new applications to its former program that allowed adults with PR or citizenship to sponsoring parents or grandparents. However what is available currently is the Super Visa.

Super Visa (IRCC)

This is one of the best long-stay options for seniors. If your child or grandchild is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a Super Visa, allowing you to stay up to 5 years at a time. It might be possible that one of your children or grandchildren comes into Canada to obtain PR through one of the pathways mentioned in my prior article.

You’ll need:

• An invitation letter from your child/grandchild

• Proof of their minimum income

• A medical exam and proof of being admissible

• Private medical insurance for at least 1 year from a Canadian provider

Other Family Ties

If you happen to have a Canadian spouse or parent, they can sponsor you as well.

If you have a Canadian parent, you may already be a citizen or eligible to apply, even if you were born in the U.S.

In addition, recent changes will soon allow some Canadians born abroad to pass citizenship to their own kids but with new “connection to Canada” requirements. For example, if your parents obtained citizenship only through their Canadian parent (your grandparent), you can apply for Permanent Residency on those grounds (and later apply for citizenship).

Yes, Seniors Can Work or Start Businesses Here

Immigrate as a Worker or Businessperson (IRCC)

Canada doesn’t have a formal retirement visa, but age alone won’t disqualify you from working or immigrating as an entrepreneur or skilled professional. What matters is what you bring to the table.

Entrepreneur or Investor Visas

Every province has an Entrepreneur Stream through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). You can apply if you’re willing to:

• Invest in or start a business

• Manage it actively

• Create jobs for Canadians

Examples:

• British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration: https://www.welcomebc.ca/immigrate-to-b-c/entrepreneur-immigration

• Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Stream: Nova Scotia PNP

• Manitoba Business Investor Stream: Manitoba BIS

Can’t you just move to Canada without working if you can support yourself?

Canada does not offer a “retirement visa” like some countries, such as Mexico and Portugal. And Canada no longer offers a federal option via “investor visas” that requires only passive investment in return for residency.

But Do You Speak French and have 2M? One program that appears to require only passive investment- that’s my read and it may be wrong- is this Quebec Investor Program. You need 2M in net worth, and the ability to speak French to level 7. You can read more about it here.

Final Thoughts

The Canadian immigration system doesn’t have a hard cutoff for age but it is a challenge to come to Canada long term if you are no longer wishing to work. And while the options are fairly limited right now, they may work for some. And keep in mind, Canada’s immigration programs at the Federal and provincial level are constantly evolving. So while you may not qualify for any now, a new program around the corner might be your ticket.

Thanks for reading!
Canada Resists