Keeping residency if moving out of Canada

[gallantone]

My wife and I are currently realtors in Canada (born here) and are considering moving to the Dominican Republic to do the same job there. We own a condo there already. I was trying to figure out how to keep my residency status in Canada as I still would like to continue being a realtor but in both countries. I was reading that you had to be in Canada 2 years or 730 days over a five year period but then I also read where it said "If you are outside of Canada for extended periods of time, you can accumulate residency days if you are travelling with a Canadian spouse or common law partner. Does that mean if my wife and I both go to the DR that we don't need to worry about the 2 year rule as we would both be travelling with a Canadian spouse? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ContactFront]

If your wife is a Canadian citizen, then yes the time you spend with her outside Canada counts.

 

[gallantone]

So we could spend as much time as we want outside of canada and not have to worry about losing residency? What if we also became residents of the DR in order to work there?

 

[Bs65]

But although you can count days outside for PR residency by accompanying a citizen they do not count for citizenship as those have to be physical days in Canada.

 

[gallantone]

Now I'm really confused lol. It says you can accumulate residency days if travelling with a canadian spouse so what good would that be if you still had to be in Canada for 730 days. What would you be accumulating?

 

[Buletruck]

And depending on your ties to Canada, you may need to file taxes in Canada as well. Best to consult a tax attorney about that one before you pull the trigger.

 

[gallantone]

The tax part I understand but I would be working in both places and Canada has a tax agreement with Dominican. To be a realtor here I would have to still have residency which is my biggest concern. We are trying to gather ALL the facts before we would move

 

[ContactFront]

Now I'm really confused lol. It says you can accumulate residency days if travelling with a canadian spouse so what good what that be if you still had to be in Canada for 730 days. What would you be accumulating?

@Bs65 was referring to the requirement for citizenship application. If you are not planning to apply for citizenship, then you don't have to physically live in Canada. Travelling with your wife would allow you to meet the residency obligation to keep your PR status.

 

[gallantone]

@Bs65 was referring to the requirement for citizenship application. If you are not planning to apply for citizenship, then you don't have to physically live in Canada. Travelling with your wife would allow you to meet the residency obligation to keep your PR status.

So what you're saying is that we could keep our residency in Canada and gain residency in DR as long as we are together without having to be in Canada for 730 days in a 5 year period?

 

[canuck78]

Aren't you both citizens? You are reading the requirements for keeping permanent residency for individuals who are not citizens. I would look at the rules for snowbirds if you want to maintain things like your healthcare coverage. You can work in both places either way. The issues are more tax related, primary home issues, coverage issues, etc

 

[gallantone]

Aren't you both citizens? You are reading the requirements for keeping permanent residency for individuals who are not citizens. I would look at the rules for snowbirds if you want to maintain things like your healthcare coverage. You can work in both places either way. The issues are more tax related, primary home issues, coverage issues, etc

Snowbirds are 5 months in Ontario to keep healthcare but not concerned with that. If we live full time in the DR I am just concerned that we lose our CDN residency and therefore we cannot be licensed realtors as you have to have Canadian residency to do so. I would like to work in both places either referring clients to other realtors or coming home a few times a year to do a few deals especially during the summertime

 

[canuck78]

You are a citizen you can't lose your residency.

 

[gallantone]

this is the only site I can find where people have answers

 

[gallantone]

You are a citizen you can't lose your residency.

Thank you that makes us feel much better!! So we could be residents of both countries working in both countries and with Canada having a tax treaty with the DR we won't get double taxed

 

[canuck78]

Don't know anything about the laws in the DR or how one can maintain their real estate license but you can work in Canada. Would get an accountant if you are working/owning a business in both places.