How long can i live outside of canada?
 

So i'm working/vacationing in south asia right now and it looks like i'll be here for a while. My question is what is the max amount of time I can live abroad without any work visa. I have a canadian passport. I was reading somewhere six months? Any way i can extend this?

It's the destination country, not the country of your residence, that defines how long you can stay on tourist visa(s)...

I see. well i'm not talking about how long i can stay in in a particular country here - i'm well aware of the visa situations here. I am wondering how long i can live outside of canada before having to return.

You never have to return to Canada as long as you keep getting valid visa's elsewhere.

Yeah, no restrictions on the Canadian side. Actually, if you have can prove (with VISA stamps in your passport, etc.) that you spent more than 65% of the year outside of Canada, you don't have to pay income tax in Canada either. :)

very interesting. thanks for the advice

Are you serious?

Yep. I'm not using any of Canada's infrastructure. Why should I have to pay for it?

Check with an accountant though. Sounds as though the OP is working in a foreign country without a work permit. For example, there might be a clause in the tax law that says, "if you're not paying tax in any country, then fuck you, you can pay us". I know if you're a valid resident with a legal job in a foreign country, then you don't pay Canadian income tax. Best not to own land or a house in Canada though.

It's the Americans who have it rough. Doesn't matter what country you reside in -- the IRS wants money from you.

I'll never leave the Motherland

But he will lose Health Insurrance ...

That could be an issue. I plan to go back to visit family and friends. But do i need to stay for an extended period of time?

If you are away from Canada for more then 6 months and a day ( total in the year ) , you lose coverage.

hmmm. that's not good

U fell in love with a S E A girl? hehehe. I lived in Indonesia for 5 years. I just got divorced and back in Canada now.

What stress since im back... I want to go back to SE Asia & retire there. I dont feel like home anymore here in Canada.

Where r u living in S E A ?

I'm in Thailand/Cambodia. I have an office in Cambodia bordering thailand. It's super cheap and I like the lifestyle out here. No real stresses of the western world to deal with. I have yet to deal with a SEA girl - paying for hussy is not really my style. Cambo chicks are hotter than thai girls. Not as good english though.

That is absolutely NOT true ;)

There is a 6 months rule but your residency is determined by filing an NR-73 form and even if you haven't stepped foot in Canada in the entire year you could still be considered a resident.

Factors considered are the "ties" you maintain with Canada, including things such as health insurance, bank accounts, drivers license, property you own, whether or not you became a resident of another country, the purpose of your absence from Canada, etc.

You can call the international tax office if you have questions, they are usually very helpful. There is also plenty of information available on the CRA website.

180 days

Don't know how long you can stay away but come April 31

:winkwink:

thanks for the advice guys

Hey, you stay where your happy, No Country should control where you should stay... I love SE Asia & plan to return there. The people are nice & its fairly cheap. We are living in times where people are moving around, exploring different places where they are happy at.

I met allot of Canadians, Welsh & Americans in Indonesia that love SE Asia & don't want to go back. I wish my marriage was a successful one & bring up a family there but things did not go as plan for us.

have fun, you will have a blast.

Is Cambodia safe? Like no or little crime? I soooo fell like going somewhere else for at least five years and I am way more fond of exotic places rather than 1st World countries (I lived for 10 years in South Africa and loved it)....

Where did you live there?


Everywhere has crime. Cambodia is 3rd world but its very charming.

I wish that were true in the US.

you are completely wrong. don't listen to this guy.

I work in poipet. Really scary place. children begging and military rule. Hailing from toronto I have never seen such craziness. If you are not looking for trouble they are generally good people - just very poor :(

Best to talk to an accountant.

I've lived my whole life outside of Canada, with no ill effects.






Surprised no one beat me to it :1orglaugh

i lived in Jakarta...

I'm laughing at the idea of a home country forcing one to stay. That's pretty funny. Although... if they still make you pay taxes, maybe it's not that far of a stretch LOL.

You can stay out indefinitely. When you are close to your passport expiring, just renew it at the closest Canadian embassy. Hell, I find it a much smoother and more pleasant process than doing it at a Passport Canada office.