Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Canada Expat Forum

visa for non working/self sufficient

New Topic Newest First
frenchie1971
  5/18/2016 18:17 EST

good day to all, i am desperately looking everywhere for visa information for people not willing/not needing to work while living in canada (not either of retirement age). does anyone know of such visa (surely should exist), for ppl having self sufficient means, proper health insurance coverage, etc. Basically want to move there with my daughter, but wont need to work and can take care of ourselves, All visas i found are either for workers, family member reunions or refugees, none of which does apply to us, thank you if you can give me any guidance. all the best!!!

wafa
  5/18/2016 21:08 EST

All information re: Canada should be found in this Government website: https://www.canada.ca/en/index.html

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

frenchie1971
  5/19/2016 10:23 EST

Thx but don't you think I checked this already? It is not available, and I said that in my post.

wafa
  5/19/2016 11:37 EST

Sorry I took the time to give a suggestion. Definitely won't help in future just in case you've already looked it up.

frenchie1971
  5/19/2016 11:58 EST

Your willingness to help was very thoughtful and in thank you for trying. But wouldn't you want to check the information your plan to give beforehand? And how lazy would I have been if I didn't even tho know researching the Canadian immigration website and other obvious places, before asking others for their expertise? I would be, indeed, very lazy. I researched that for several hours, both online and over the phone. Again sorry for offending you, and maybe next time, check your source too? All the best and no hard feelings I hope :)

OldPro
  5/22/2016 10:46 EST

This is not a forum of Immigration Lawyers sitting around offering free advice. It is a site where expats try to help other expats or those who want to become expats. They offer advice to the best of their ability but NO ONE gets to say, 'why don't you check your advice before giving out something I've already checked.'

Your attitude sucks. While you may have already checked some sources, YOU did not say you had checked any specific sources. It may surprise you to learn that not everyone does their homework before posting in a forum.

The only response you should have been making to the advice you were given was, 'thank your for your attempt to help me. I have already checked that source and could find no answer that I wanted to find there.'

Now I will give you my advice for which you can thank me whether you take it or not.

Phone a Canadian Immigration lawyer and explain your situation (not keep it a secret as you have done here). There may or may not be a way for you to get Residency.

This is NOT an Immigration forum.

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

frenchie1971
  5/22/2016 13:45 EST

I am not here to waste anyone time, and not mine either. The link provided was not at all relevant to my very specific question. I thank that person and was very respectful, as I didn't mean to upset that person nor anyone else. Now, thank you for your advice of calling an expert. I just did yesterday, paid a 850 fee and got my answer. All the best to you:)

frenchie1971
  5/22/2016 14:09 EST

Reading all the posts you made since your joined, made me realize that there is something wrong with you, as the tone of your replies and rude comments to ppl you don't know is quite appalling. Very sad to find this on a forum like this one.

ScruffyClarissa
  6/26/2016 04:04 EST

Frenchie, we're in a very similar position ourselves. I feel cheeky asking, seeing as you paid for the advise, but could you point me in the direction of what you were told?
Thanks!

ScruffyClarissa
  6/26/2016 05:34 EST

Hi frenchie, we're in a very similar situation to you and finding it really hard to work out what visa we need. It seems a bit cheeky of me to ask, seeing as you paid for the advice, but would you mind pointing me in the direction of what the lawyer said?
I hope it was good news for you,
Thank you

DrKaisrani
  7/4/2016 03:04 EST

Dear frenchi,
There are a few ways if you qualify
Student visa
Business visa

God bless you.

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

DGL
  11/19/2016 12:24 EST

Did you ever get an answer? I, too, am searching for the same info.

mystiechaos
  1/2/2017 08:53 EST

Hi Frenchie,
I am also curious about moving to Canada (alone) and also do not need a job because I am self-sufficient & have my own health coverage. Therefore, I would not be eligible for a business or student visa. I am sorry you experienced such a difficult time finding your answer. I'm wondering if you would consider sharing with me an avenue you may have discovered during your conversation with a Canadian lawyer that would apply to me?
Thank you, in advance, for your response.
Mystiechaos

OldPro
  1/2/2017 12:19 EST

Here's the answer for those asking the OP what she found out.

Canada makes NO specific provision for Immigrants who only want to live in Canada without working. No 'retiree visa' type option etc. as many poorer countries offer.

There are only 2 avenues open as the government immigration website clearly shows. Either you qualify for a visa based on working or based on investing.

I know people THINK there should be a visa for those who are self sufficient financially but there is NOT such a visa. Or there IS if you define 'self sufficient' as having enough capital to invest to meet that requirement. Or there is if you can qualify to work and then simply choose not to work after obtaining your Permanent Residency Visa on that basis. Or consider a 6 month/6 month cycle which will require no visa at all. Many people do just what Canadian 'snowbirds' do. Spend 6 months of summer in Canada and 6 months of winter in the USA.

Don't look for a visa that does not exist. Look at what does exist and whether you can qualify on that basis or not. Once you have PR status, no one is going to force you to work.

Re healthcare mystiechaos, once you get PR status in Canada, you will be able to join the system in whichever Province you are living in, after 3 months in the country. It would make no sense to continue private coverage at that point. This is Canada we are talking about.

mystiechaos
  1/2/2017 18:43 EST

OldPro,
I dearly thank you for your very informative response. I think I could find a way to work within one of the situations you describe. Also, thank you for the added information re: the topic of insurance. Canada is a very beautiful country and has an abundance of wonderful people, a rich history, attractive landscapes and varied & interesting cultures. My eyes were opened to all of this when Canada hosted the Olympic Games. Thank you again, OldPro, for the time you spent considering and answering my questions.. Sincerely,
Mystiechaos

standupguy
  1/3/2017 00:08 EST

Oldpro - On Kingsway Ave. in Vancouver there are many kilometers of store fronts with Chinese names and lettering, import &export business, tracel companies etc. that are closed. These are vacant businesses set up for visa purposes, but never operational. Mostly Chinese from Taiwan ????. There are over one half million Chinese mostly in the lower mainland. Anyone can get in this way.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Canada GuideLiving in Canada Guide

Expats from all over Canada have shared great tips about living in Canada - Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Beyond. Find out what makes it easy, wha

Canada Forum Canada Forum
Join our Canada forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Canada.

Contribute to Canada Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Canada.

Best Places to Live in Canada Best Places to Live in Canada

If you're considering a move to Canada, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Canada in 2023.

Expat Healthcare Advice in Canada245 Expats Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Canada

Expats living in Canada talk about their own experiences with healthcare, hospital visits, emergencies, finding a doctor, buying health insurance in Canada and more.

Cost of Living in CanadaCost of Living in Canada

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Canada.

Moving to CanadaMoving to Canada Guide

Our guide to moving to Canada with lots of advice from expats on the ground.

Real Estate in CanadaReal Estate in Canada

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Canada.

Pros Cons of Living in CanadaPros & Cons of Living in Canada

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Canada.

Retiring in CanadaRetiring in Canada

Advice for people retiring in Canada.

10 Tips for Living in Canada10 Tips for Living in Canada

If you've recently arrived in Canada, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Canada.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute to Canada Network Contribute
Help others in Canada by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Canada.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal