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U.S. may allow Canadian snowbirds to stay longer without visa
http://www.theloop.ca/living/travel...y-allow-snowbirds-to-stay-longer-without-visa
Liz Fleming, May 15, 2013 10:12:59 AM
If you’re a Canadian snowbird, you gotta love New York Senator Charles Schumer.
Not only was he one of the loudest opponents of the recently rejected proposal to charge Canadians a border crossing fee, but he’s also leading the charge to push new legislation through the U.S. Congress that will make it possible for Canadians aged 55 and older to extend their stays in the U.S. to 240 days or approximately eight months without a visa. If passed, that bill will add a whopping 58 days to the current 182-day annual limit.
It’s a change that the Canadian Snowbird Association has been advocating for years, with little luck. A similar bill choked at the committee stage but this new version, which is linked to comprehensive changes in immigration policy, shows serious promise of passing. If the stars align, the U.S. Senate could give its approval this summer.
Frankly, they’d be crazy not to welcome us. Each year, Canadians provide a giant boost for the sagging U.S. economy, spending more than $16.5 billion in 2011, and making in excess of 40 million visits. We buy more residential real estate than any other foreign purchasers, snapping up approximately $20 billion in housing in 2012 alone. In fact, we’re so important to the U.S. economy, particularly in states south of the Mason/Dixon such as Florida, that an ill-advised law that required Canadian drivers to pay for an international driver’s license was squashed flat the minute the Canadian media got hold of the story. Our U.S. neighbors love us – and they need us.
While the news is good, don’t rent out your house for eight months just yet. One important restriction remains for Canadians wanting to extend their time in the U.S. – our own health care regulations.
By law, residents of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba can be out of the province for as long as seven months at a time and still be eligible for coverage, while residents of Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia are allowed only six months.In certain circumstances, Quebec will allow short stays outside the country that go beyond the six-month limit.
Might the Feds cut us some slack? Maybe. It certainly seems that they’re supportive of the new U.S. legislation.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs was quoted in a recent article on the CBC news website saying, “We always monitor legislation impacting Canada very closely, and we support any efforts to increase trade and tourism between our two countries.”
No need to cross your fingers too tight. There’s a good chance both governments will give snowbirds the green light.
http://www.theloop.ca/living/travel...y-allow-snowbirds-to-stay-longer-without-visa
Liz Fleming, May 15, 2013 10:12:59 AM
If you’re a Canadian snowbird, you gotta love New York Senator Charles Schumer.
Not only was he one of the loudest opponents of the recently rejected proposal to charge Canadians a border crossing fee, but he’s also leading the charge to push new legislation through the U.S. Congress that will make it possible for Canadians aged 55 and older to extend their stays in the U.S. to 240 days or approximately eight months without a visa. If passed, that bill will add a whopping 58 days to the current 182-day annual limit.
It’s a change that the Canadian Snowbird Association has been advocating for years, with little luck. A similar bill choked at the committee stage but this new version, which is linked to comprehensive changes in immigration policy, shows serious promise of passing. If the stars align, the U.S. Senate could give its approval this summer.
Frankly, they’d be crazy not to welcome us. Each year, Canadians provide a giant boost for the sagging U.S. economy, spending more than $16.5 billion in 2011, and making in excess of 40 million visits. We buy more residential real estate than any other foreign purchasers, snapping up approximately $20 billion in housing in 2012 alone. In fact, we’re so important to the U.S. economy, particularly in states south of the Mason/Dixon such as Florida, that an ill-advised law that required Canadian drivers to pay for an international driver’s license was squashed flat the minute the Canadian media got hold of the story. Our U.S. neighbors love us – and they need us.
While the news is good, don’t rent out your house for eight months just yet. One important restriction remains for Canadians wanting to extend their time in the U.S. – our own health care regulations.
By law, residents of Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba can be out of the province for as long as seven months at a time and still be eligible for coverage, while residents of Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia are allowed only six months.In certain circumstances, Quebec will allow short stays outside the country that go beyond the six-month limit.
Might the Feds cut us some slack? Maybe. It certainly seems that they’re supportive of the new U.S. legislation.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs was quoted in a recent article on the CBC news website saying, “We always monitor legislation impacting Canada very closely, and we support any efforts to increase trade and tourism between our two countries.”
No need to cross your fingers too tight. There’s a good chance both governments will give snowbirds the green light.
