Len and Bren's post about Canadian pension brings another question to our minds...when Doug gets his Visa (and eventually his green card and PR status), he still plans on working for his Canadian employer....does this qualify him to still get his OHIP benefits? Or would I have to put him on my US employer-sponsored benefits?

If he works for the US branch of a Canuck employer, he does not have rights to OHIP benefits (which, AFAIK, require residence in ON ).

You may have missed a third choice though: what benefits does the US branch (of the Canuck Co.) have?

Scratch that last question.....found my answer (here on VJ) with a little research....thanks to Meliss and Zyggy, I now understand that not only will Doug lose his OHIP, but it's also not a good idea to stay employed with his Canadian employer? He drives truck, and crosses the border daily; this seems to be a problem in the future, any comments?




Wish he did! No, this is a Canadian (only) employer...

It would be a severe tax disadvantage for your fiancee to remain employed with his Canadian Employer. However, your fiancee could become self-employed in the US and have his former Canadian Employer pay him cash for his services as a contractor. You husband would then be responsible for paying the taxes on his services (and would not be responsible for paying any non-resident Canadian tax on his services, which his former employer would be responsible for paying if he was in their employ)


Be sure that you get in touch with a good tax accountant and maybe an attorney to make sure you charge enough for your services that you don't get shortchanged in this process (taxes, insurances (liability, workers comp, disability, health, etc.)etc.) and to get the business set up. In order to receive OHIP, the individual must reside in Ontario for 5 months in the calendar year.

Check into "independent" lorry-driving (such as with JB Hunt--you'll see their number on their ubiquitous lorries) in the US.

They don't pay.....not what he's making now anyway.....I think Zyggy's idea was great...Doug has a registered business for his promotional sales, so he can run the invoices thru the business to avoid the issues. The driving job is temporary anyway.

Thanks Zyggy! Doug already has a registered business in Canada that he does marketing and promotional items through. He planned on registering it in the US (Michigan-based) when he moves over, but your advice on the tax accountant is well-founded. Thanks!


Be sure that you get in touch with a good tax accountant and maybe an attorney to make sure you charge enough for your services that you don't get shortchanged in this process (taxes, insurances (liability, workers comp, disability, health, etc.)etc.) and to get the business set up. In order to receive OHIP, the individual must reside in Ontario for 5 months in the calendar year.
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