Got the Sponsorship forms after 3 years but can you help?

Sticky

Hi,
Just received our Sponsorship forms as Grandparents after a 3 year wait. In this time our thinking has changed from total emmigration to Canada to perhaps spending a couple of 2 or 3 month periods each year in Toronto with our son and his family. I am wondering if proceeding and trying to get residency would still be a benefit for us? I know there is a minimum time we would have to spend in Canada in the first 5 years but would we get the access to the health service or any over advantage? My worry would be paying taxes in the UK and also in Canada. It will still cost us several hundred british pounds to proceed with police checks and medicals and I am wondering if this is now worth it if we no longer intend retiring 100% in Canada? There are several reasons why we have had second thoughts but the fact that my income has taken a hit is one and the freeze on any inceases in the UK state pension doesn't help either.
Any comments would be much appreciated,
Thanks,
Rod

buntingj

Rod :

First let me say this.

If you have waited this long, to get to the position to be able to be sponsored by your grown son, TAKE IT .

Second, if you are granted the chance to live in Canada, as "Permanent Residents " you won't pay income taxes in two countries. The agreement between Canada and the UK is simple, you pay taxes in your "country of residence" and that would be Canada.

It seems to me that you are having trouble cutting the strings, and making the decision to leave the UK, to live in Canada, full time. You do understand that there are other people reading this that would just about kill some one , to get out of the UK now, don't you ? And all you have to do is submit the forms ?

Some facts to ponder > As legal residents of Canada, you have acess to ALL of the services that any Canadian citizen can use, including the Provincial health care system. You can work at any job that you are capabale of doing, and make as much money as you can. You can buy property, or start a business, or invest in a business, or invest in the stock market or gold shares. In other words, you are able to do what ever you like in Canada.

Further more, you will be living in a safer, cleaner, and more friendly country, with a lot less stress and crime.

It is your choice, of course, but I'd say it is an obvious one.

Jim B.