Mum to visit Canada for longer than 3 months, NHS implications

[dj322]

Hello, I am a UK / Canadian citizen. My Mum, who is retired and a UK citizen, wishes to come and visit me in Canada. I understand the NHS is based on residency status. Is she allowed to come and visit me over 3 months in a calendar year? As I understand it, if you come and live for longer than 6 months, you can be deemed to be non resident of the UK, meaning no NHS coverage. Is this true?

 

[Bs65]

Others can maybe comment but think you may find that a vacation no matter how long does not affect entitlement to NHS treatment. The residency requirement is just that if she were to no longer maintain her primary residence so no longer ordinarily resident in UK that would be a different matter but an extended holiday . She is not living in Canada by the way but visiting with travel insurance for the duration.

If in doubt she should speak to her GP anyway

https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Overseas-visitors-webpage2.pdf

https://www.datadictionary.nhs.uk/data_dictionary/nhs_business_definitions/o/ordinarily_resident_de.asp?shownav=1

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide

 

[dj322]

Thanks for your response, I think my concern is if she comes for example in 2021 for 6 months and then goes back to the UK for 3 months and then comes back again for another 6 months, would that cause issues? She would only be coming over as a visitor with travel insurance.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for your response, I think my concern is if she comes for example in 2021 for 6 months and then goes back to the UK for 3 months and then comes back again for another 6 months, would that cause issues? She would only be coming over as a visitor with travel insurance.

TRV are for visiting so if your mother is spending too much time in Canada she can be denied the full 6 months. You will have to research NHS requirements on a UK forum.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Thanks for your response, I think my concern is if she comes for example in 2021 for 6 months and then goes back to the UK for 3 months and then comes back again for another 6 months, would that cause issues? She would only be coming over as a visitor with travel insurance.

From what you've stated , she'd be staying longer in Canada then her home country . That could cause issues because it would appear that she's living here versus only visiting

 

[Bs65]

She should contact her GP for advice although I know people who have travelled on 2 year IEC permits who had no issues with the NHS but then again maybe they lied when asked the question about living abroad as no way for a GP or hospital to really check. that am aware of.. They were still UK residents technically though with a UK address. Assume she will still have a UK address and be receiving a UK pension as well.

The issue [ointed out by Copingwith above is more to do with Canada and CBSA who look at people who do not spend the same amount of time back in their home country with suspiciaon that they are trying to live in Canada. So spend 6 months in Canada should spend 6 months at home before coming back. Alternative for a long stay is a super visa

A lot UK expates go on this site https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/ so maybe someone there has experience