maximum time allowed per year for Canadians visiting USA

There is a DOS FAM cable floating around that might be useful to point to to refresh the officers memory .. if DOS is not a dirty word to CBP.

Thanks agnelson, CGC, lrl, for your inputs.

Argue this to death. Who is right and wrong? There is way too many factors involved to give a simple answer. The general rule is, spend more time in Canada than the USA, have strong ties to Canada, and the trip needs to be that of a bone fide visitor. I can refuse your entry simplt because i feel you are spending too much time in the USA. Leaving the USA for a week and then re-entering for another six month will get you refused, as you did not make a meaningfull departure. Don't get caught up in the "what can I get away with" mentality. The law allows me to give a five year ban by just articulating that you were living in the USA or are trying to without authorization. So.....forget trying to figure out the six months, and just spend more time in Canada and show proof of strong ties.

-- Sat May 14, 2011 11:12 pm --

Now, upon the expiration of her six month ending in february, would she have to return to canada to reset the 12 month period? Or could she just stay through for another 3 months, eating up time from her NEXT year period?

Hello,

My wife and I are Canadian citizens but DO NOT live in Canada anymore. We are living permanently now in the Philippines (we have permanent residencystatus) but we are holding a Canadian passport.

We are thinking of buying a house in Phoenix, Arizona, and live there up to six months of the year or 3 months each time after each a 6 months absence from the USA.

Since we will not enter the USA directly from Canada (from the Philippines), do we need some type of visa to enter each time the USA, or would we be granted a visa-free entry at the port like any other Canadians who come "directly" from Canada?

We do not have ties with Canada anymore.

Thanks.

As a Cdn citizen you are still exempt from visa requirements.

But you still need to show evidence of foreign residence, and likelihood that you will leave when you are supposed to.

As a Cdn citizen you are still exempt from visa requirements.

But you still need to show evidence of foreign residence, and likelihood that you will leave when you are supposed to.

Thank you very much.