Retire and marry my fiancee in Canada? Immigrate from USA

[Texas1964]

So I am 55 and would like to retire and marry my fiancee who lives in Canada. She has young kids so she can't move here to the USA. I am in good health and hope to still work at least 10 more years (once Canada allows me to work). Of course, she will sponsor me. I have a decent size 401 k I can take at 55 and a pension I can take either at 55 or 60. Does this seem like something Canada will allow? Can she sponsor me without us getting married or should we marry first? We have been together for 4 years and I do not want to continue the back and forth monthly. She is on disability because of an illness and I believe once she marries me she will lose it? My health is good( I do have Crohns disease but it's controlled by medicine). Currently, I work 12 hr shift work in a lab at a chemical company so I am able-bodied.

 

[21Goose]

Yes, if you get married she can sponsor you and you can immigrate to Canada.

If you have lived together for one year then she can sponsor you without you having to marry. Doesn't sound like you've been living together (monthly back and forth), so makes sense to get married and get sponsored.

A spousal sponsorship takes about a year to complete.

I'm not aware of the rules around disability (depends on province as well), so I can't speak to that.

 

[Jnicole45]

If her disability assistance is government sponsored she would be ineligible to sponsor you. Y'all can get married just fine, but if she's on any kind of government assistance the sponsorship will be a problem.

You could also get into some interesting cross-border tax issues with your 401k and pension, if they are your family's sole means of support in Canada, but I'm not a financial advisor in the slightest, so you'd be smart to check into that before you try to move to be with her.

 

[21Goose]

If her disability assistance is government sponsored she would be ineligible to sponsor you. Y'all can get married just fine, but if she's on any kind of government assistance the sponsorship will be a problem.

You could also get into some interesting cross-border tax issues with your 401k and pension, if they are your family's sole means of support in Canada, but I'm not a financial advisor in the slightest, so you'd be smart to check into that before you try to move to be with her.

Yeah, all good points. If she gets off disability (in case it's disqualifying her as a sponsor), she'd need to wait a few months before she attempts to sponsor you to show that she can support herself without assistance.

Talk to an immigration lawyer/consultant. Certainly possible to get married and immigrate, but you should get some advice from a professional that's specific to your case.

 

[Texas1964]

I have been talking with an accountant in Canada. I think I will be ok tax wise. I won't have to move my money

I found this on a government site and it says you can sponsor if
"You’re able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability"

If her disability assistance is government sponsored she would be ineligible to sponsor you. Y'all can get married just fine, but if she's on any kind of government assistance the sponsorship will be a problem.

You could also get into some interesting cross-border tax issues with your 401k and pension, if they are your family's sole means of support in Canada, but I'm not a financial advisor in the slightest, so you'd be smart to check into that before you try to move to be with her.

 

[Jnicole45]

I have been talking with an accountant in Canada. I think I will be ok tax wise. I won't have to move my money

I found this on a government site and it says you can sponsor if
"You’re able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability"

Well then that settles that best of luck to ya

 

[scylla]

I have been talking with an accountant in Canada. I think I will be ok tax wise. I won't have to move my money

I found this on a government site and it says you can sponsor if
"You’re able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability"

You will need to make sure she is actually receiving the official disability social assistance - rather than receiving regular social assistance. If it's the second, application will be refused since she won't qualify as a sponsor. If it's the first - you are good. For example, if she happens to live in Ontario, you will want to make sure she is on ODSP - and not OW.

 

[Texas1964]

She is in Saskatchewan and is on SAID I believe (Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability)

You will need to make sure she is actually receiving the official disability social assistance - rather than receiving regular social assistance. If it's the second, application will be refused since she won't qualify as a sponsor. If it's the first - you are good. For example, if she happens to live in Ontario, you will want to make sure she is on ODSP - and not OW.

 

[scylla]

She is in Saskatchewan and is on SAID I believe (Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability)

Then you are good. Make sure you show evidence of your income in the application.

 

[canuck78]

Assumed you on a biological for your Crohns. Would highly suggest you try to find a job before you move so that you have drug coverage. When you get married your wife’s various benefits will likely decrease based on your family income.

 

[Texas1964]

Assumed you on a biological for your Crohns. Would highly suggest you try to find a job before you move so that you have drug coverage. When you get married your wife’s various benefits will likely decrease based on your family income.

I will be able to keep my insurance through my former employer at a discounted rate. My company does have a presence in Canada just not in Sask