Retired Canadian would like to become permanent resident

[tommyt]

I am a 68 year old retiree with a pension and I would like to live permanently in Florida as I can no longer afford to keep home in canada and the usa. I am also tired of packing everything up every six months. I have tried to get information online, but it`s very complicated. The application forms are for persons who want to work in the us which I dont. I would appreciate any advise.

[agnelson]

Other than by marriage to an american, or by willingnesss to start and bankroll a company that would produce jobs, you can't.

[Reba]

agnelson is correct. There is no adjust to permanent resident option for retirees unforuntately.

[agnelson]

Every time immig reform is discussed in US this issue does come up, so keep hoping.

[Steven]

I don't think there's much chance retirees will be able to get LPR status, but they may eventually come up with some sort of residency permit like they have in the Cayman Islands.

Most non-immigrant categories require proof of abode abroad, so there aren't many options really.

Belize seems to be popular with retirees lately, I'm assuming it must be possible to stay there year round. The Bahamas have a fairly simple residency permit system but they have really high import tariffs. Not a problem if you live and work there because there's no income tax but as a retiree it makes things difficult.

[Dremani]

Very true about Belize. My aunt retired in the UK and headed straight for Belize with her husband to live.

As for LPR status in the U.S as a retiree, its actually beneficial for the U.S. economy because they are the ones buying a good portion of the homes in the south especially Florida. Half of my community is retired Canadians from Quebec. It's just to bad there is no option for them in terms of living here permanently. What about the Carribean? I guess it depends on which part you decide to live.

[Steven]

There are all kinds of places you can live in the Caribbean but you have to be careful how you do it. The Bahamas at first blush makes sense because you can get a residency permit with only $250,000 invested and permanent residence with $500,000, but as a retiree you're usually on a fixed income and the import tariffs are eye-popping there so as you have no employment income you don't benefit from the low taxes and you pay far more for your day to day living expenses.

The problem is much the same elsewhere, just harder to get residency in the first place.