Moving to California

My spouse and I are 70 years old,retired and live in Richmond BC. We wish to purchase a home in Desert Hot Springs CA and move there. Are we only allowed to stay in USA for 6 months?? Must we return to Canada and stay in Canada for a 6 month period? Or do we simply return for a few days and then go back to USA in order to retain our Canadian/BC benefits????

Confused..

George

There are lots of threads on this subject on here if you search. Short answer yes, you can only stay for a maximum of six months, long answer is more complicated, you must maintain non-immigrant intent at all times and if you happen to stay seven months for example it's unlikely CBP will care and even if they do it's not illegal because you have non-immigrant intent (which is what is legally required). However staying in the US permanently is not an option, you're a visitor and must comply with those requirements. There is no immigration category for retirees who want to stay indefinitely.

To retain your BC health benefits, you need to be in canada 183 of of any 365-day period.