The short answer is yes, but it depends on the country. Canadians can use their valid accessible parking permits in any country that is a member of the International Transport Forum (ITF).

Member countries include the U.S., Canada, Mexico and all of Europe. A list of ITF members can be found here.

There is also helpful information on the Canadian government website for snowbirds about traveling with disabilities, which you can find here. 

Following recent devastating hurricanes that have hit Florida, home insurance premiums have increased dramatically in parts of the state.

Some insurance companies have simply stopped operating in Florida. Others have increased their rates significantly and some will no longer offer flood insurance in certain areas.  

The best advice we can give you is rather than trying to track down an insurance provider on your own, consider using a reliable home insurance broker with experience in your area, as they will be able to shop around for you and should be familiar with which providers are offering home and flood insurance in your area, as well as the premiums they charge.

LAST UPDATED: April 11, 2023

For snowbirds returning to Canada, it can be very confusing to figure out what you can - and cannot - bring across the border. 

Many goods are restricted or prohibited, while others have limits on how much you can bring back to Canada. Then there’s the matter of how much duty and tax you’ll have to pay, depending on what you’re bringing back.

And to make things even more complex, the rules can change from time to time and temporary restrictions can be put in place for some goods due to health and safety concerns.

Fortunately, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have a number of resources available online to review prior to coming home so you can plan accordingly:

• What you can bring home to Canada
• Travelling with pets, food or plants
• Bringing food into Canada for personal use
• Maximum quantity limits for personal use exemption
• Estimate duty and taxes on items you are bringing back to Canada

If you can’t find the information you are looking for online, you can also contact the CBSA by phone or email with your question:

• CBSA contact information

LAST UPDATED: April 11, 2023 - 12:00 PM EST

Yes, if you are travelling by air, there is absolutely a good reason to still fill submit your customs declaration through ArriveCAN before clearing customs when returning to Canada. 

Most travellers think of the ArriveCAN app as a COVID-era tool where travellers entering Canada were required to submit the results of their pre-entry COVID tests and their proof of vaccination certificates.

However, the app has evolved since then and while it is no longer used for those purposes, travellers entering Canada at select airports still have the option to submit their customs declarations in advance through ArriveCAN.

If you are arriving in Canada by air, using ArriveCAN can greatly speed up clearing customs and immigration, as many Canadian airports have set up an express line for people who have completed ArriveCAN ahead of time.

ArriveCAN is only available at select airports across Canada. You can find a list of participating ArriveCAN airports here.

*Please Note: If you are a NEXUS card holder, you may not be able to submit your customs information using ArriveCAN and will have to use NEXUS  instead.

You can learn more about ArriveCAN and how to use it here.

You should remove all the license plate renewal stickers on your Ontario license plate, as they are no longer required, which should solve the problem.

However, snowbirds should always renew their driver’s licenses and car registration before departing for the winter if they are going to expire before you get back. You can renew your license plate online or in person at a Service Ontario centre.

When you renew, make sure you get a copy of your receipt and keep it with you to show in case you get pulled over while in the U.S.

You are correct that some new ID requirements will be introduced for flying domestically in the U.S., however, these changes will not impact Canadians.

Beginning on May 3, 2023, the TSA will require individuals who plan to use their state-issued ID or driver’s license as identification to fly within the U.S. to ensure they are REAL ID compliant.

This change is primarily intended for U.S. citizens and residents who use their state-issued IDs to fly domestically.

Canadians can simply present their Canadian passports or NEXUS cards instead.

You can find details about which types of ID the TSA will accept for air travel here.

It is true that many tolls have gone cashless and the pandemic has accelerated this trend.  But if you are driving to Florida from Eastern Canada then it is worth getting an E-ZPass.  The E-ZPass Program is the largest toll collection program in the world with toll agencies in 19 states.  It is also useful while you are in Florida for toll roads and bridges there.

Once you set up an E-ZPass prepaid account, you will receive a small electronic transponder that attaches to the inside of the windshield.  You deposit money in your E-ZPass account which is debited each time you use a toll.

For more information: https://www.e-zpassiag.com/

While not all states currently accept the pass, E-ZPass can be used in many states from Minnesota in the West to Maine in the East along many of the popular routes through states on the way to Florida, including Florida itself.  For a map of states accepting E-ZPass, click here:

https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it

Last Updated: August 5, 2021

The short answer is yes.  Here are the rules for both countries:

Flying to the U.S.:

All air travellers 2 years of age or older arriving in the United States are required to present a negative COVID test taken within 3 days of the flight departure. The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Full details about U.S. pre-entry COVID testing requirements are available on the CDC website here.

At this time, Canadians are still not allowed to travel to the U.S. by land for non-essential travel, as the United States has extended its land border closure until at least August 21^st, 2021.

Returning to Canada:

Effective August 9, 2021, all Canadians returning to Canada by air or land must provide a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of their flight departure time or when they arrive at the land border, depending on their mode of travel. 

Fully vaccinated Canadians no longer need to quarantine but may be subject to random testing on arrival.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Canadians arriving in Canada must be tested on arrival or take home a test kit and be tested again on Day 8. They must also quarantine for 14 days – however, a hotel quarantine is no longer required. 

All travellers must provide a quarantine plan and other pre-arrival information through the ArriveCAN app or website before arriving in Canada.

Full details about Canadian pre-entry COVID testing are available on the Government of Canada website here.

Currently (as of July 7, 2021) there are no requirements to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to enter the U.S.

In order to board a flight to the U.S., you are required to show a negative COVID test administered within the previous 72 hours – or proof that you have recovered from COVID within 90 days of travel.

Much of the confusion about whether those who have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine are eligible to travel to the U.S. stems from the fact that some Broadway shows and TV shows with live audiences in the U.S. have been requiring proof of vaccination for individuals to attend and were not accepting AstraZeneca recipients because the vaccine has not yet been approved in the U.S.   

For example, the Bruce Springsteen Broadway show took that position last month but later changed their policy and said they would allow individuals who had received AstraZeneca to attend. 

According to CBC and other news outlets, Prime Minister Trudeau (who received AstraZeneca himself) said in June that the government “is working with the U.S. and other international partners to ensure that AstraZeneca vaccine recipients face few barriers when they travel abroad.”

Trudeau also said that “discussions with other countries on how they will treat those who've had a dose of that product are still ongoing. We will definitely make sure that people who got one or two AstraZeneca doses will not be disadvantaged when they want to travel.”

The bottom line is, at this time individuals who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine are able to travel to the U.S., but they may not be eligible to attend some private events in the U.S.

Tax Reporting in the U.S.

While Canadian snowbirds are tax residents of Canada, they must report U.S. rental income to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) if they rent their property out for 15 days or more per tax year. It should be reported on IRS Form 1040NR.

Unless you make a special election by filing IRS Form W-8ECI with your Form 1040NR, the IRS will levy withholding tax on your U.S. rental income. The withholding tax is 30% of the gross rental income.

Also, certain U.S. states require you to pay state-level tax on your rental income - you may be subject to both state and county and/or city level tax on your rental income.

It is always best to consult with tax professionals familiar with local law to ensure that you abide by all relevant legislation for your vacation rental.

Tax Reporting in Canada

U.S. source income must also be reported in Canada to the CRA. You will receive foreign tax credits from the CRA for the federal and state income tax that you pay in the United States. These foreign tax credits offset the tax owing in Canada, and if you receive sufficient foreign tax credits, you may be able to completely avoid double taxation.

Failing to report your rental income in both Canada and the U.S. can result in fines and hefty interest charges being added to any income tax that you should have previously paid.

You can learn more about taxes for Canadians when renting out your U.S. vacation home here.

You must create an account with your testing provider before taking your arrival test at the land border or airport, and while it is possible to register an account when you arrive at the land border or airport, creating your account in advance will save time and streamline the process.

Make sure you use the same email address you used for your ArriveCAN account.

Arriving by Land

Switch Health has been hired by the Public Health Agency of Canada to manage the COVID-19 testing and kits upon arrival at all land border crossings, as well as the self-administered COVID test you will be required to perform home on Day 8 of your 14 day quarantine.

You can create your account with Switch Health here.

Arriving by Air

For snowbirds returning by air, the following companies are managing testing upon arrival at the four airports currently open for international arrivals:

• Montreal – Biron Groupe Santé
• Toronto – Switch Health (this also registers you in advance for your Day 8 test)
• Calgary – Government of Alberta
• Vancouver – LifeLabs

Switch Health has also been hired to manage the self-administered COVID test you will be required to perform home on Day 8 of your 14 day quarantine for all travellers arriving by air, with the exception of Alberta.

Self Administered Test on Day 8 of Your 14 Day Quarantine

Regardless of whether you arrive by land or air, you will be given a test kit to take a test at home on Day 8 of your 14 day quarantine. This must be done under the supervision of your testing provider.

There are many reports of long wait times on the Switch Health lines to take your Day 8 test, as well as delays in getting results - and even some tests going missing.

Be sure to keep a record of the number on your vials that you provide to Switch Health. This is the ONLY way that you can trace a missing test (they can’t trace your tests by your name).

The bad news is, if your Day 8 test is delayed or lost, you will have to remain in quarantine until you get the negative test results, which could mean you have to stay in quarantine for more than 14 days. 

More Information

You can get more information about COVID-19 testing when arriving in Canada and Day 8 testing during your 14 day quarantine here:

Driving to Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/driving-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-driving#create-account

Flying to Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada?utm_campaign=gac-amc-covid-20-21&utm_source=travel-covid_travel-restrictions_flying_&utm_medium=redirect&utm_content=en#register

NEXUS enrollment centres are temporarily closed and will remain so as long as COVID-19 border restrictions are in place.

However, existing NEXUS members should renew their membership online before the expiry date on their card. This will allow you to keep your membership privileges. Don’t wait until your membership expires to renew, as you could run into issues.

Unfortunately, new applicants will have to wait until enrollment centres re-open.

Visit this link for more information about NEXUS card applications and renews during COVID.

ArriveCAN is a digital tool that enables travellers to submit essential information prior to arrival and after entry into Canada.

ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app that can be downloaded on Apple or Android devices. It is also available online through a computer. You can get more information about ArriveCAN and download the ArriveCAN app or access ArriveCAN online here. 

All individuals entering Canada by air or land are required to use ArriveCan to submit the following information:

Prior to arriving in Canada

Travellers are required to submit the following information through ArriveCAN before they board their flight or before arrival at a land border crossing:

• travel and contact information
• quarantine plan
• COVID-19 symptom self-assessment
• if travelling by air, provide the trip reference code for your hotel quarantine reservation

Once you submit your information through ArriveCAN a receipt will be displayed and emailed to you.

Upon arrival in Canada

When you arrive in Canada, you will be required to show your ArriveCAN receipt to a Canadian border services officer. You can show your ArriveCAN receipt via the following methods:

• the app
• as a screenshot
• your email
• a printout

After you arrive in Canada

The day after you arrive in Canada, all travellers must submit the following information through ArriveCAN:

• confirm that you've arrived at a government-authorized hotel or the address you provided for your quarantine or isolation location
• complete daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessments until the completion of your quarantine period or until you report symptoms

If you have had COVID and recovered, you are exempt from both the COVID test upon arrival in Canada and the mandatory hotel quarantine if you meet the following criteria:

• You are travelling to Canada by air (individuals travelling to Canada by land are not subject to the mandatory hotel quarantine)
• You tested positive for COVID-19 between 14 and 90 days prior to the day you arrive in Canada.
• Every person in your party over the age of 5 must be able to produce a POSITIVE Covid PCR test from when you had COVID, showing the date on which you tested positive. 

Details about the exemption from arrival testing can be found on the Government of Canada website here.

Details about the exemption from the hotel quarantine requirement can be found on the Government of Canada website here under “Already Exempt from the requirement of having to undergo arrival testing”

Last Updated: February 5, 2021

At this time, being vaccinated does not exempt you from any of the following travel restrictions or COVID testing requirements that have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented by the Canadian and U.S. governments:

Travelling to Canada

• Pre-arrival COVID testing
• COVID Testing upon arrival in Canada
• Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Requirement upon arrival
• 14 Day Quarantine Requirement upon arrival

Travelling to the United States

• Pre-arrival COVID testing
• Quarantine upon arrival (currently recommended by the CDC but expected to become mandatory soon)

Due to COVID-19, far fewer people than usual are flying at the moment. This has forced airlines to consolidate flights to make them financially viable, which can result in schedule changes, and in some cases, re-routing of flights.

Unfortunately, this is likely to continue happening until more people are flying and airlines can plan their route schedules with more certainty.

In the meantime, air travellers will have to live with the fact that their flight schedules may change quickly, and sometimes more than once, so be sure to monitor your scheduled flights regularly and be prepared that your flight times and dates might change.

Snowbirds should also be prepared that this could also happen on their return flights back to Canada at the end of the season if air travel hasn’t picked up by then.

We have heard anecdotal stories about individuals trying to cross the border (some successfully, some unsuccessfully) by lying about the nature of their travel so it would qualify as "essential". However, we have not been able to verify any of these stories yet.

Be aware that even if you don't get caught lying at the border, both the U.S. and Canada are sending officials to follow up on people after they cross the border to confirm that the reason and circumstances they provided for crossing the border are in fact true. 

If you are caught giving false information to U.S. border officials, you could be banned from the U.S. for a period of 5 years or more.

The bottom line - lying to any customs or border official is always a very bad idea - and especially now while the Canada-U.S. border is closed to all non-essential travel.

As of October 1st, 2020, there was no official requirement at the state level for visitors to quarantine when arriving in popular snowbird states Florida, Arizona, California and Texas.

However, this could change at any time so you should always check official sites before you go.

Also, it's important to be aware that just because there is no quarantine requirement at the state level, there may be local requirements at the city or county level, or in specific communities such as RV parks or golf & country club communities, so it's best to check with the management of your community before you go.

The Canada/U.S.Land Border Closure, which prohibits "non-essential" travel by land between Canada and the U.S. and the Government of Canada Level 3 Travel Advisory, which advises Canadians against all non-essential travel to virtually ALL countries in the world (as of October 1st, 2020) are NOT tied together. 

For example, the land border restrictions could be lifted or modified while the Level 3 travel advisory remains in place. Conversely, the travel advisory could be modified or reduced to Level 2 while the land border could remain closed.

Normally, travel advisories are country or even region specific. This one is unique in that it applies to virtually everywhere. Eventually, the travel advisories will likely be modified to warn of the specific level of risk in a country or region.

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation circulating about this topic, with rumours spreading that Canadians who own property in the U.S. are exempt from current land border travel restrictions and are allowed to drive across the border if they are travelling to their property in the U.S.

However, these rumours are not true.

While it is possible that this policy may change in the future, as of September 21, 2020:

1. There is no exemption allowing Canadians who own U.S. property to drive across the border while travel restrictions are in place, and
2. Travel for the purpose of visiting a property you own on the U.S. has not been deemed to be "essential travel" by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. agencies responsible for overseeing the Canada/U.S. land border closure.

You can get updates about the Canada/U.S. land border closure here.

NOTE: The information provided on this page is intended for Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Canadians can get reliable health and safety travel information on the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisory Website designed specifically for travellers.

The website provided information about:

• Local safety and security conditions and areas to avoid
• Possible health hazards and restrictions
• Natural hazards and climate
• Entry and exit requirements
• Local laws and culture
• Where to find help while you are travelling abroad

We also recommend that Canadian snowbirds register with Canadian Consular Services when they are travelling. You can learn more about why we recommend registering with Canadian Consular Services here.

You can register online or in-person at a Canadian consulate office. 

Canadians who sell U.S. real estate will generally have to pay tax in the United States when they sell their property.

You may also be subject to a withholding tax of up to 15% of the sale price, unless you are able to secure an exemption well in advance of the sale.

You’ll also need to report the sale and pay tax on any net gain in Canada. However, this amount can usually be reduced by claiming a tax credit under the U.S. Canada Income Tax Treaty.

It is always advisable to seek the advice of cross border tax professionals on both sides of the border well in advance of any sale of U.S. real estate to plan appropriately and minimize your tax bill.

You can learn more about tax implications for Canadians who own U.S. real estate here.

With so many people retiring each year, there’s a lot of pressure on the winter rental market across the southern U.S. and some parts of Mexico.

In addition, many owners of rental units give preference to their existing renters for the following year, so you may not even have access to these units if the current renters commit for next season.

With that in mind, its never to early to start seeking out a rental property, but the ideal time to look and book for the following year is in March and April, near the end of the snowbird season.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords usually prefer someone looking for a minimum 3-month rental, so if you’re thinking of just renting for one month, you may have a tough time finding something during peak season.

When it comes to renting vs. buying a vacation property for snowbirds, the rule of thumb is if you spend 4 months or more in the same destination year after year, you’re usually better off financially if you buy, because the carrying costs of owning will be less than renting for 4 to 6 months.

Of course, if you’re looking to buy you’ll either have to have the necessary capital or the means to finance a purchase. Some snowbirds use a line of credit or mortgage on their Canadian home to finance a winter home - or you can finance through a Canadian bank that operates in the U.S.

Ultimately, whether it makes financial sense for you to rent or buy comes down to several factors, including:

• Do you plan on spending your winters in the same place for several years?
• How much time do you plan on spending in your winter destination each year?
• Do you have the means to purchase a property outright or finance the purchase?

As of early January 2020, the Canadian Snowbirds Act, which would effectively amend U.S. tax law to allow Canadians who meet certain criteria to spend 8 months in the U.S. per calendar year (instead of the current 6 month limit) has only been proposed as a bill and has not been passed into law.

We are following the status of this bill closely and will advise Snowbird Advisor members of any important developments.

In the meantime, you can learn more about the proposed Canadian Snowbirds Act here.

You can keep a Canadian car in the United States for up to 1 year at a time on a temporary basis for personal use, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). At the one-year mark, you would either need to bring the car back to Canada or permanently import it to the U.S.

Keep in mind that this rule only applies for U.S. customs and import purposes.

Auto insurance is a different story. You should contact your auto insurance company before you leave to find out how long they will insure your car in the United States. Typically, auto insurance providers will only cover you in the U.S. for up to 6 months, but your coverage may have a longer or shorter coverage maximum.

Your situation is not an uncommon one. Many snowbirds who drive their car south for the winter eventually decide they don’t want to deal with the long drive there and back. If you find yourself in this situation, you basically have three choices to get your car to and from your winter destination:

1. Get a friend or relative to drive your car for you
2. Hire a driveaway service to drive your car for you
3. Hire a vehicle transport company to transport your car on a truck

Each option has its own pros and cons, so you’ll need to consider things like price, convenience, delivery options, safety and wear and tear on your car to determine which option is best for you.

Regardless of which method you use, the company or individual transporting your car will need to present certain documents when taking your car across the border to avoid customs and immigration issues. If you work with a reputable driveaway or vehicle transport company, they should be able to assist you with these documents.

You can learn more about transporting your vehicle between Canada and the U.S. here

Many snowbirds rent out their U.S. vacation properties for part of the year, as it can be a great way to help cover costs or bring in a little extra income.

However, there are some matters you need to consider and deal with ahead of time to avoid running into unexpected problems down the road:

1. Taxes: Any rental income you earn from your U.S. vacation property may be subject to both U.S. and Canadian income tax, so make sure you get advice from a cross border tax expert on the potential implications before you rent out your property.
2. Rules: Condo’s and planned communities have homeowner associations with rules that govern your ability to rent out your property. Make sure you know the rules that apply to your property. Things to look out for include minimum rental period requirements, how many times you can rent out your property during the year, whether you need approval to rent out your property, pet and children restrictions and minimum age requirements for renters.
3. Rental Agreements: Always enter into a written rental agreement with your tenants so the rental terms and obligations are clear. Use an agreement vetted by a real estate professional or lawyer to ensure you comply with local laws and have the necessary language and clauses to protect yourself if an issue arises.
4. Payment: Whenever possible, be sure to get paid in advance and ask for a security deposit.
5. Insurance: Notify your insurer that you will be renting out your property and make sure you (and your renter) have adequate coverage while your property is rented out, especially liability coverage.
6. Property Management: You will need a property manager or caretaker to handle any issues your renters may have with the property and inspect it after they vacate.
7. Personal Possessions: Remove or lock away any personal possessions, empty your fridge and food cupboard

Get more tax and legal tips Canadians renting out their U.S. vacation properties.

We receive a number of inquiries about the legality of bringing cannabis products and CBD oil from Canada to the U.S. now that it is legal in Canada.

We have also written extensively on this topic and want to reiterate that even though cannabis and CBD oil are legal in Canada and some U.S. states, they are still illegal federally in the United States, making it illegal to bring marijuana products and CBD oil to the U.S.

This applies even if you have a prescription from your Canadian doctor for these substances - as many snowbirds do. Your prescription is irrelevant and you are still NOT allowed to bring marijuana and CBD oil to the U.S.

When you cross the border by car with a NEXUS card, you are often not asked any questions about food or what you are carrying with you, as the NEXUS system works on trust (Trusted Traveller).

And while you are allowed to bring certain foods into the U.S. when using your NEXUS card, the onus is on YOU to declare if you have any food with you.

If you have food and you don't declare it, and a U.S. customs officer decides to inspect your vehicle and discovers the food, they can revoke your NEXUS card, even if the food you have with you would have otherwise been allowed into the U.S.

The safest solution is not to take any food with you when entering the U.S. and stop after you have crossed the border for snacks, fruit etc...

Remember, when you are issued a NEXUS card you are warned that if you violate any of the rules, you risk losing your NEXUS card.

You can find more information about what you can and can't bring to the U.S. from Canada here.

Canadians snowbirds have a number of financing options available when buying U.S. property.

U.S. mortgages can be a good option for snowbirds, but be aware that many U.S. lenders won’t offer mortgages to “foreign nationals” (including Canadians) and those who do may charge you a hefty premium.

If you’re looking for a U.S. mortgage, you should check first with Canadian banks that have operations in the U.S., as some of them offer U.S. mortgages for Canadians that use your Canadian credit history to evaluate your mortgage application and won’t charge you a premium for being a foreign national.

If you own property in Canada, you should also explore getting a mortgage in Canada or Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) on your Canadian property and using the proceeds to purchase your U.S. property.

There are pros and cons to each option, and the right option for you will depend on you your personal situation and the general economic environment.

Your best bet is to explore all options so you can compare each of them.

For more information on this topic, you may want to check out our top mortgage tips for Canadians buying U.S. property and snowbird vacation home financing options.

While LGBTQ snowbirds share the same needs and concerns as all snowbirds, many seek out winter destinations that are LGBTQ friendly where they can feel safe and find a like-minded community.

Some favourites that are particularly welcoming to LGBTQ snowbirds include several destinations in Florida like Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and South Beach.

And if you’re looking beyond Florida, take a look at Palm Springs, California; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Honolulu, Hawaii, as they also make the list.

You can find more information about winter destinations for LGBTQ snowbirds here.

You are not alone – a growing number of snowbirds are exploring destinations outside the U.S. for their winter getaways. And depending on where you go, some of these destinations can be more affordable than spending your winter in the United States.

Some of the most popular non-U.S. snowbird destinations are the Puerto Vallarta and Bay of Banderas region of Mexico, the Northwest coast of Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama. In Europe, snowbirds are increasingly heading to Southern Portugal and Spain. And if you want to go further, the Gold Coast of Australia also attracts Canadian snowbirds.

Your friend is correct that your Canadian passport only has to be valid for the duration of your stay in the U.S.

However, we have heard reports that some U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are unfamiliar with this exemption and are requiring passports to be valid for 6 months after your expected return date.

Accordingly, whenever possible we suggest travelling to the U.S. with a passport that is valid for 6 months after your expected return date to Canada.

If you do decide to travel with a passport that has an earlier expiry date and you run into trouble at the border, you may want to try politely directing the CBP agent to the directive on the CBP website that states Canadian passports only need to be valid for the duration of your stay in the U.S. Learn more here.

First of all, your pet must be healthy, look healthy and be well groomed or it can be turned away.  

It is required that all pets are up to date with rabies shots and other vaccinations and you should carry a document from your veterinarian certifying general good health and vaccination records. It is also required for coming back to Canada.

Before you travel, be sure to look at the websites of the departments that oversee the importation of pets (even though you are not importing your pet, you are subject to the same health requirements).

In the United States, this is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). You can find regulations for importing pets on the USDA website. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) website also has requirements for importing pets, including rabies vaccinations.

It is also highly recommended that your dog be micro-chipped for identification purposes should he or she escape during travel or during your stay in the United States.  

You can find more tips for Canadian snowbirds travelling with pets here.

While everyone's situation is different, the short answer is generally YES! 

The NEXUS program allows members to travel between Canada and the U.S. much more quickly by using automated self-serve kiosks and dedicated lines for security and customs at airports, and dedicated lanes for cars at border crossings.

Depending on how busy an airport or border crossing is, having a NEXUS card can sometimes save you hours when travelling

However, it's important to keep a few things in mind:

1. Everyone travelling with you must have their own NEXUS card, including minors under the age of 18.
2. There are very strict compliance rules for NEXIS cardholders, including updating the personal information associated with your NEXUS card and complying with all customs declaration rules. Even a minor or unintentional infraction can result in you being kicked out of the NEXUS program for life, so be very careful to know and follow all the rules.

Canadians can apply for the NEXUS program online through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website operated by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). You can also find information about applying for the NEXUS program on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website.

Paper applications for the NEXUS program are no longer available.

The short answer is no, this is NOT true.

Private travel medical insurance plans simply require you to be covered by OHIP (or the Government Health Insurance Plan in your province of residence). They do not require OHIP to cover you for out-of-country medical expenses.

You can find more detailed information here about how this rumour may have started and what the facts are.

The filing deadline for IRS Form 8840 - also known as the Closer Connection Exemption - is June 15 for the previous calendar year. The form must be filed annually.

Canadian snowbirds who qualify for the exemption and file Form 8840 by the June 15th deadline can stay in the U.S. for up to 182 days without being considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes.

You can learn more about the Closer Connection Exemption requirements here and download a fillable version of Form 8840 here.

While LLCs (Limited Liability Companies) may be a good structure for Americans to own real estate, they are often NOT the best structure for Canadians to own U.S. real estate. Unfortunately, a number of Canadians have been incorrectly advised that LLCs are their best option by individuals who don’t understand the tax and estate planning issues on both sides of the border.

The best ownership structure for Canadians to own U.S. property really depends on your personal situation. Before you choose an ownership structure, we always suggest you consult with a legal advisor who specializes in cross border real estate transactions so they can help you decide on the right structure to meet your needs.

You can learn more about U.S. real estate ownership structures for Canadians here

You are correct, there are two different sets of rules – one for tax purposes and one for immigration purposes.

A common misconception among Canadian snowbirds is that there is only one set of rules to comply with. This misconception can lead to the misapplication of the rules, resulting in a variety of negative consequences.

Tax rules deal with how long you can stay in the U.S. before you are considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes. Violating these rules by spending too much time in the U.S. or failing to file the required forms with the IRS can lead to serious adverse tax and financial consequences. You can learn more about U.S. tax rules for Canadian snowbirds here.

Immigration rules, on the other hand, dictate how much time you can spend in the U.S. in general. Spending too much time in the United States can lead to a number of adverse consequences when trying to enter the U.S., including increased scrutiny when crossing the border, being denied entry to the U.S. on a one-time basis or even being banned from entering the U.S. You can learn more about U.S. immigration rules for Canadian snowbirds here.

It’s essential for Canadians who spend time in the U.S. to comply with both sets of rules to avoid running into issues south of the border.

Yes, there is a workaround you can use the often works:

When asked for your zip code, simply enter the three numbers of the Canadian postal code for the billing address associated with your credit card, followed by two zeros.

For example, if the postal code for your credit card’s billing address is F1F 2F3, you would enter 12300 as your zip code.

NOTE: We have been receiving word from some members who were able to use this workaround in the past that it no longer works for them. However, it still seems to be working most of the time in most regions of the U.S.

First and foremost, whenever possible you should contact your travel medical insurance provider before seeking medical treatment, as they will want to ensure the treatment you are seeking is covered, send you to an approved treatment provider, help coordinate your treatment, and where possible, arrange for direct billing with the treatment provider.

Obviously, in an emergency situation contacting your insurance provider before seeking treatment may not be possible. In such situations, you should contact your insurer or have someone contact them on your behalf as soon as possible after seeking treatment.

With respect to who pays for the costs up-front, it depends on the situation.

In general, if you go to a hospital for treatment and contact your insurance provider prior to or during your hospital visit, your insurance provider will arrange for direct billing, so you won’t have to pay your expenses out of pocket. However, for minor visits to a hospital emergency room, you may need to pay your bill and have your travel insurance provider reimburse you.

Alternatively, if you receive medical treatment at a doctor’s office or clinic, you will generally need to cover your medical expenses up-front and make a claim to be reimbursed by your insurance provider. However, in some cases, your insurance provider may be able to arrange for direct billing with the doctor’s office or clinic.

In either situation, it’s important to keep all of your receipts and get copies of your treatment records in case you need to provide them to your insurance provider at a later date.

Generally speaking, you can bring limited quantities of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat products and some other food items across the border from the United States to Canada.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the rules vary from product to product and can change at any time due to potential threats. There may also be restrictions depending on where the product was produced and which province you are returning to.

It’s also essential to know that Canadian law requires travellers to declare all food, plants, animals and related products when entering Canada.

To be safe, you should always declare all food items you are bringing in to Canada. In some cases, these items may be confiscated if they are restricted or prohibited

If you have a Nexus card and you fail to declare food you are bringing with you, you could lose your card, even if the item is allowed into Canada!

Some common food items you need to declare that may be restricted or prohibited include:

• meat and meat products
• cream, milk, cheese and other dairy products
• fruits and vegetables
• seeds and nuts

For more details about bringing food into Canada from the U.S., visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

You can also find an overview of what you can bring back to Canada here.

We consulted with several medical professionals and learned that the flu shot is the same throughout North America – and indeed, in most Western countries. The flu strains that are covered in the shot each year are generally the same everywhere and the efficacy rate varies from year to year depending on how accurate the prediction was as to which strains would be dominant.

There is also an extra strength flu shot now that is recommended for seniors over 65.  

While our research indicated that the flu shot is the same across North America, we still suggest you consult with your doctor on this point in case things change.

We are happy to report that the planned construction over the past two years in the southbound lanes of I-75 in Michigan is now completed.

Yes, there is a limit in each province for how long you can be away without being at risk of losing your health coverage. 

For Ontario residents, you are generally allowed to spend up to 212 days outside the province in any 12 month period and still maintain your provincial health care coverage (there may be exceptions in certain circumstances).

If you plan to spend more than 212 days outside Ontario in a 12 month period, it is best to check with Service Ontario to explain your circumstances and get clarity on whether you will be able to retain your coverage. 

Every province has its own rules for how much time you can spend outside your home province and still retain your health care coverage,  so snowbirds in other provinces should check with their provincial health ministry for clarification.

You can find a summary of how long you can spend outside each province and still retain your health care coverage here.

On a side note, Canadians snowbirds should also be aware of the limits for how long they can spend in the U.S. without violating U.S. tax and immigration rules.

Unfortunately for you and other Canadians who depend on using cannabis products for medical reasons, cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal laws in any form and quantity, making it illegal to bring it across the Canada-U.S. border, even though some U.S. states have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes.

Do not attempt to fly or drive cross the Canada-U.S. border with any amount of cannabis in any form. You could be barred from entering the U.S., charged with an offence or even serve jail time.

In addition, previous use of cannabis (or any other substance prohibited in the U.S.) could also be used as a reason to deny you entry to the United States going forward.