6 Months. A Canadian can stay in the US for a maximum of 6 months from the date of entry, BUT any exit and re-entry resets the clock. Of course, Canadians should be careful doing this, as too many exits and re-entries within a given period might cause CBP officers to infer an intent to reside on the part of the Canadian visitor. This applies to specific visitor visas, and the period of time a Canadian can stay in the US is based on your unique case and whether you are entering on a visa or not.
There are a few misconceptions following this question, and it’s important to know the answer so you don’t overstay your visit. Those who overstay their visit can expect complications down the road. Canadian snowbirds often come to the United States to the southern states to avoid the winter and they stay for an extended period. If you wish to stay longer than 6 months in the United States, there are other options that may be available to you explained below.
Extending Your Stay in the US
The good news is, if you need to stay in the US longer than 6 months as a Canadian, you have the option to extend your stay! You can do this by filing a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires through the USCIS.
Canadians Paying Taxes in the US
Another important thing Canadians need to keep in mind when staying in the US is tax laws. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has guidelines in place that Canadians must comply with. If you do stay for an extended period, you may have to file tax forms to the IRS, beyond six months.
You can determine your liability to taxation through the substantial presence test. This test calculates how many days you have stayed in the United States for over three years. The three years include the current running year and the past two years.
US Tax Treaty Exemption
You can also claim exemption under the Canada–US Tax Treaty. You can refer to the Treaty tiebreaker rules to claim that you’re still a Canadian citizen after staying in the US for over 182 days.
The decision as to whether or not to grant you the benefit depends on the following factors:
- If you have a permanent home in the United States or Canada
- To which country you have stronger personal and economic ties
- Which country is your habitual abode
- Your current citizenship status
How Long Can a Canadian Snowbird Keep Their Provincial Health Insurance?
When staying in the United States as a Canadian, you also need to make sure you aren’t absent from your province for too long. Staying outside of your Canadian province for too long can affect your provincial health care coverage. All provinces, except Ontario and Newfoundland, require you to actually live in your home province for at least six months plus a day (183 days in most years) in order to be considered a permanent resident of that province, and therefore qualified for provincial health insurance benefits.
Traveling from Canada to the US
The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) is pleased to provide this travelers checklist filled with handy tips on health, home, and travel. Canadian’s Travelers Checklist will help you be prepared to travel to the US for an extended amount of time.
Moving to Florida from Canada Permanently
So many people that visit from Canada end up moving to Florida permanently. Although Canada and the US have a great relationship, there is an official process in moving to Florida from Canada.
Learn more about how Canadians Can Move to Florida.
Have You Overstayed Your US Visit?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
