Obamacare and Spousal Sponsorship/PR

[kasia333]

This post is in question to all my US citizens who are about to/are in process of obtaining a PR in Canada

From what I understand, if you are not a permanent resident of Canada (or any other country), you will get penalized for not having Obamacare when time comes to doing your taxes. What if you're in the process of it? Is there anything you could do to show them you are in a process of obtaining residency so you don't get penalized?

 

[keesio]

Interesting question considering this is new ground here.

I would guess that if you are living in the US, you'll need health coverage until you leave the US.

 

[kasia333]

Yes but what if you go as a visitor to Canada and start the sponsorship process and you are in the middle of it and it's time to do taxes. Can you provide proof to the government that you are in a process of getting a PR so you don't get the obamacare penalty?

 

[Ponga]

Hmmm...This is a very valid question. I'm applying for sponsorship [Inland] and won't be eligible to be added to my sponsor's (Common-Law) employer medical plan until I complete the PR entire process (I guess??). I will request a temp SIN after receiving my OWP, but don't know if that will enable me to be covered under her medical plan.

I guess having to pay the Obamacare penalty will be the least of my worries.

 

[kasia333]

I know it's not that big of a deal and getting a PR is more important, but any money that I don't have to waste is good. Also, it's not like sponsorship and medical and such isn't expensive enough. Right?

I know that I will have a travelers insurance for the time where I don't have a PR (to have some sort of insurance). Have you looked into that option?

 

[screech339]

Hmmm...This is a very valid question. I'm applying for sponsorship [Inland] and won't be eligible to be added to my sponsor's (Common-Law) employer medical plan until I complete the PR entire process (I guess??). I will request a temp SIN after receiving my OWP, but don't know if that will enable me to be covered under her medical plan.

I guess having to pay the Obamacare penalty will be the least of my worries.

It depends on what province you are living in. If you are in Ontario, you can get on OHIP 3 months after getting AIP letter/email. Once you get on OHIP, only then can you get on your sponsor's employer medical benefits. My wife was able to get on my employer's medical/dental benefits once she gotten on OHIP and while still waiting for her PR sponsorship to be completed. So to say that you have to wait until you land to get on provincial health care/spousal employer benefits is not entirely true.

Screech339

 

[Ponga]

We are in BC, so I guess it will be a lonnng time before I can be added to my partner's medical plan.

I wondered if having a temp SIN, after receiving an OWP, would have allowed me to get coverage, but...C'est la vie!

 

[Ponga]

I know it's not that big of a deal and getting a PR is more important, but any money that I don't have to waste is good. Also, it's not like sponsorship and medical and such isn't expensive enough. Right?

I know that I will have a travelers insurance for the time where I don't have a PR (to have some sort of insurance). Have you looked into that option?

I haven't looked into travelers insurance, but I don't think that it will help me. Since I am applying Inland, and can't leave Canada, I wouldn't be able to show a US address as my residence `today', to get the policy. Compound that with the fact that there would not be an entry record for me entering Canada (because I'm already here) and that screams `mess' to me, should I ever have a claim.

Yes...it's a bit of a quandry.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

We are in BC, so I guess it will be a lonnng time before I can be added to my partner's medical plan.

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/pdf/covering-a-spouse-or-child-who-is-an-applicant-for-permanent-resident-status-in-canada.pdf

 

[Ponga]

Thank you very much.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you very much.

You're welcome. Be prepared to fight it out with MSP, as the staff aren't really familiar with the proper way to implement it. See my post here

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-outland-london-uk-applications-t49436.0.html;msg2243634#msg2243634