Nearly overwhelmed

[keechmun]

I have been in a common-law relationship with my Canadian partner for 18 years. We have lived in the US for that period of time but due to employment opportunities in Canada my partner has taken a full time job in PEI. I will not be able to divest myself of responsibilities in the USA for some time so will be living between the two nations.
My questions;
My attempts to maneuver the Ca website have been futile. Should I hire someone to assist/do this for me? The cost is high but within my means.

If I am able to remain in Ca for up to 6 mos as a visitor is it important to do this now?
What are the requirements for qualifying for health care as a less than full time Canadian resident?

 

[shalenabennie]

I have been in a common-law relationship with my Canadian partner for 18 years. We have lived in the US for that period of time but due to employment opportunities in Canada my partner has taken a full time job in PEI. I will not be able to divest myself of responsibilities in the USA for some time so will be living between the two nations.
My questions;
My attempts to maneuver the Ca website have been futile. Should I hire someone to assist/do this for me? The cost is high but within my means.

If I am able to remain in Ca for up to 6 mos as a visitor is it important to do this now?
What are the requirements for qualifying for health care as a less than full time Canadian resident?

You can't receive Healthcare if your not a citizen.. As for the forms, they are very straight forward. Save the money abs do yourself

 

[kcward7]

You can't receive Healthcare if your not a citizen.. As for the forms, they are very straight forward. Save the money abs do yourself

This is incorrect on a number of fronts. You can receive health care as a permanent resident, and even while some applications are in process depending on province and some other contingencies.

You do not need to be a citizen to receive health care.

 

[monkeys89]

You can't receive Healthcare if your not a citizen.. As for the forms, they are very straight forward. Save the money abs do yourself

You can receive healthcare if you are a permanent resident, and in many cases, if you are a confirmed applicant for permanent resident status.

 

[shalenabennie]

This is incorrect on a number of fronts. You can receive health care as a permanent resident, and even while some applications are in process depending on province and some other contingencies.

You do not need to be a citizen to receive health care.

Sorry, I was under the impression you were referring to coming on a visit visa. Sorry for that.

 

[kcward7]

You can receive healthcare if you are a permanent resident, and in many cases, if you are a confirmed applicant for permanent resident status.

To add, in Ontario for example, you do not need AIP to receive OHIP. You can receive OHIP once you have your work permit and your employer can demonstrated they will employ you for 6 months full time at a minimum.

 

[monkeys89]

I have been in a common-law relationship with my Canadian partner for 18 years. We have lived in the US for that period of time but due to employment opportunities in Canada my partner has taken a full time job in PEI. I will not be able to divest myself of responsibilities in the USA for some time so will be living between the two nations.
My questions;
My attempts to maneuver the Ca website have been futile. Should I hire someone to assist/do this for me? The cost is high but within my means.

If I am able to remain in Ca for up to 6 mos as a visitor is it important to do this now?
What are the requirements for qualifying for health care as a less than full time Canadian resident?

As for the application process, you need to start by thinking a little bit about your common-law status - a significant period of interrupted cohabitation may challenge your common-law application. Sure, you've lived together for 18 years, and that should be more than enough to qualify you, but if your cohabitation ends, you may no longer be common-law. It's likely a very small risk, but be aware of it.

Next, think about whether you want to apply from within Canada or outside of Canada. This will let you determine your process for inland or outland.

Then, read the guide. It's not the most complex thing in the world, though there are some complexities. But start there, then read threads here. See what you can determine as being your next questions, and search for them here, or post new threads asking your questions!

It seems insurmountable at first but it isn't.

 

[monkeys89]

To add, in Ontario for example, you do not need AIP to receive OHIP. You can receive OHIP once you have your work permit and your employer can demonstrated they will employ you for 6 months full time at a minimum.

In British Columbia, you are eligible for MSP coverage two months after the waiting period, as follows:

The wait period begins on the date the sponsorship fee and application fee for permanent resident status has been paid to IRCC.

In PEI, you may be required to have a COPR to receive health care coverage - it's not perfectly clear if they provide coverage for confirmed applicants.

 

[np08]

As for the application process, you need to start by thinking a little bit about your common-law status - a significant period of interrupted cohabitation may challenge your common-law application. Sure, you've lived together for 18 years, and that should be more than enough to qualify you, but if your cohabitation ends, you may no longer be common-law. It's likely a very small risk, but be aware of it.

Next, think about whether you want to apply from within Canada or outside of Canada. This will let you determine your process for inland or outland.

Then, read the guide. It's not the most complex thing in the world, though there are some complexities. But start there, then read threads here. See what you can determine as being your next questions, and search for them here, or post new threads asking your questions!

It seems insurmountable at first but it isn't.

This is very good advice, OP. It may seem super complicated at first glance, but if you take some time to just read the guide, read some threads here on this forum, once you figure out the basics, you'll see it's not that hard. Plus this forum is extremely active and most of your questions can be easily answered here.

Seriously, it's not worth thousands of dollars to have someone do this for you if your case doesn't have some really special/complex circumstances. Most people easily do it by themselves. Just take a bit of time to do some research first.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

As for the application process, you need to start by thinking a little bit about your common-law status - a significant period of interrupted cohabitation may challenge your common-law application. Sure, you've lived together for 18 years, and that should be more than enough to qualify you, but if your cohabitation ends, you may no longer be common-law. It's likely a very small risk, but be aware of it.

Once common-law is established, a couple can live apart. It does not end the common-law status.

 

[monkeys89]

Once common-law is established, a couple can live apart. It does not end the common-law status.

Good to know.