Some queries about retiring to Canada

checkitowt · Newbie Joined: Oct 19, 2009 Posts: 1

Hello everyone,
We have tried to find some in-depth information about retiring to Canada and cannot find anything so perhaps we are looking in the wrong places? Anyway, we are originally from the UK but we are also New Zealand, and Australian citizens having returned to the UK from Perth Australia (where we lived for almost 12 years), 18 months ago, to undertake some personally family business. We are both retired and can be self funded retirees, by which I mean we could buy a property outright in Nova Scotia (our chosen destination if successful) and with our UK pensions and a smidgeon of savings, take care of ourselves. My husband Rodge was a chef for many years and can make a stew go a long way, and I am still of employable age (early 60's) and would love to work a few days a week (I am an ex civil servant (social security) and also have legal secretary experience, together with maitre de and management skills. I think the point I am trying to make here is, can we come and retire to Canada? I've scanned the immigration website and nowhere there does it explain what the criterion are for people like us, who could be self funded and not a drain on the Canadian economy. Can anyone advise please? Rolling Eyes

buntingj

Welcome to the expats Canada forum:

The reason that you can't find any information about a "retirees plan " that there isn't ANY.

Canada is looking for younger employable people, who can be fully employed here, and who will contribute to our economy for years to come.

The ONLY way that you could be sponored as immigrants at your age is if you had grown children, who are Canadian citizens. That would be under the "Family Re-unification plan ".

Being able to buy a house here is not of any importance, if you can't get permanent resident status. And that isn't going to happen. If you applied under any of the normal immigration plans, your age will rule you out, at the outset. Even the investor class, that requires a cash amount equal to 400 thousand UKP, has a upper age limit of 50.

You can come and visit, for up to six months at a time, with out a visa. But you can't work, you can't even do volunteer work, and you would not qualify for any type of social services benefits in Canada. You would have to buy private medical insurance, and if the UK government finds out that you are living here, even part time, your UK pensions may be frozen.

I'm sorry that ths is so negative, but this exact question has been asked here at least a dozen times this year, alone.

Canada is unwilling to assume responsibility for any one who is not going to be contributing to our economy. A hard point, but look at the mess that the UK is facing, for not having the guts to make a stand, a long time ago, and keep to it

And lastly, with the large amount of Canadians who are not working, what few jobs that are available are going to our own citizens. I think that you can understand that ?

Jim b. Toronto.

Benfurness · Regular Poster Joined: May 06, 2009 Posts: 23 Location: UK

buntingj wrote:

If you applied under any of the normal immigration plans, your age will rule you out, at the outset. Even the investor class, that requires a cash amount equal to 400 thousand UKP, has a upper age limit of 50.

Would the age linit still apply if they bought a business outright Jim ?

Only thing that www.bbcanada.com/bb_fo...tchprov=ns "could" be a possible solution.

btw sorry for not being active much of late Smile

buntingj

Benfurness :

I guess that could be done, but as you know, they would need to have a very large downpayment, or maybe even the entire amount, as no bank here is going to enter into a mortgage with people in their 60's, on a business venture. Especially in a B and B, and in a seasonal location like Nova Scotia.

I am 63 and I personally wouldn't want to start a new business at my age, but each to their own.

Lets see what response comes back. As you know, some times people here never come back, after a first post.

Jim b.