Question around working for a few months in Canada after entering US as immigrant

[Sonoma 0]

Hi guys,

 

This forum is an amazing resource, and I had a quick question:

 

I was approved for an IR1 visa at the U.S. consulate in Montreal recently. I was planning to enter the US as an immigrant around Dec 25, as we had planned a visit to see some family and I wanted to trigger the process of getting the green card, SSN, etc -- which is triggered after you enter the US as immigrant. 

 

Then, I plan to return to Canada, work until the end of March in Canada to wrap up my job, transition someone into my role at work, and get all of my stuff organized for the move. Then I would be moving to the US permanently in early April 2018. 

 

I wanted to ask if I'm allowed to do this -- specifically work outside the US for a few months to wrap things up after landing as an immigrant. As far as I can tell it is not a problem if the period outside of the US is just a few months, but I thought I would double check with the experts on here!

 

Thank you!

[NikLR 13,220]

Yes you can do this.   Just be sure to inform your job to tax you as a nonresident and get some temporary health insurance. 

[Sonoma 0]

40 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Yes you can do this.   Just be sure to inform your job to tax you as a nonresident and get some temporary health insurance. 

Thanks Niki -- to be honest I hadn't even thought of this. Does going to the US as an immigrant automatically make me a nonresident Canadian? Does it impact my Canadian citizenship in some way? I do know that you lose access to the health system if you leave Canada but I thought that was it 

[NikLR 13,220]

It doesnt impact your citizenship just your residency status.  So when you activate the visa, you become a US resident and are no longer a Canadian for tax purposes or health care (you are also ineligible for CCTB and GST rebates)

[Lemonslice 4,553]

15 minutes ago, NikLR said:

It doesnt impact your citizenship just your residency status.  So when you activate the visa, you become a US resident and are no longer a Canadian for tax purposes or health care (you are also ineligible for CCTB and GST rebates)

It is a bit more complicated than that... I still pay Canadian taxes, nearly 8 years after activating my visa.  The income from my salary is however tax exempt in the US [still pay U.S. taxes on interest, rent income, etc.].  

 

Sonoma, call the CRA International Tax office - they're actually helpful.  

[NikLR 13,220]

Filing and paying taxes are two different things. 

[Lemonslice 4,553]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

Filing and paying taxes are two different things. 

Yes - I have had the joy (not) to discover that.