1. Canadian Citizenship Travel Rules
Your Canadian citizenship is not affected by how long you're outside the country. As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to return to Canada at any time, and you won’t lose your citizenship based on travel duration. However, other aspects of your residency, such as taxation and healthcare, may be impacted.
2. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) Travel Rules
OHIP coverage is designed to support Ontario residents. The Travel Rules state that to maintain coverage, you generally need to be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days (about 5 months) in any 12-month period. If you’re out of the country for longer, you might lose your coverage.
Extension:
You can apply for a temporary absence extension if you plan to be out of the country for more than 7 months. The extension can be granted for up to two years if you're studying, working, or vacationing abroad. You need to apply before you leave the country by submitting a form to ServiceOntario. Supporting documents may be required, such as a letter from your employer or educational institution.
3. Tracking Days
It’s crucial to keep track of the number of days you’re out of Ontario. Your passport may be scanned when you enter or leave a country, especially when crossing borders by air or at major seaports. Some countries report entry/exit data to Canadian authorities.
Passports: While there isn’t a mandatory “scanning” of Canadian passports in all countries, Canadian border services do record when you leave and re-enter Canada.
Tracking Tools: You can use apps like TravelTracker or simply keep a record of your cruise itineraries to track how many days you spend outside Ontario.
4. Implications of Losing OHIP
If you're out of the country for more than 7 months and do not get an extension, you risk losing your OHIP coverage. In this case, you’d need to reapply upon your return to Ontario, and there's usually a 3-month waiting period before your coverage is reinstated.
During the time you're without OHIP, you’d need private travel health insurance, as medical care abroad can be very expensive.
5. Risk of Being "Caught"
While there’s no active tracking of every single day you spend outside the country, irregularities might be flagged if you frequently travel in and out. Upon reapplying for OHIP after an extended absence, you may need to prove your residency (e.g., through utility bills, leases, or tax records).
Final Advice
Keep good records of your travel dates, and to follow the Canadian Travel Rules, apply for extensions as needed, and ensure you have private health insurance while you're traveling.
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