Articles

“Papers, please.”− Many Canadian Visitors Must Now Register with US Immigration

April 4, 2025 By Cardinal Point Wealth

It is the end of an era. Pursuant to a January 20 presidential executive order, the US is changing the rules for foreign nationals, including some Canadian snowbirds, who enter the US as visitors without visas.

Who must register:

Beginning April 11, the following visitors without visas (including infants) who are not otherwise exempt must register:

Those planning a visit of 30 days or longer
Those already in the United States on April 11 who plan to stay (or who have stayed) 30 days or longer
Those who enter for less than 30 days but end up staying 30 days or longer.

To register:

Create an individual account on the USCIS.gov website. Do not create a second account if you already have an account unless instructed to do so.
From that personal account, complete form G-325R online. G-325R asks for:
- Full Legal Name
- Date and Place of Birth
- Date and Place of Entry into the United States
- Current US Address and Contact Information
- Immigration Status (if applicable)
- Criminal History (if applicable)
While there is a fingerprinting requirement, citizens of Canada are exempt from fingerprinting under an interim rule. It seems likely that they will be exempt under the final rule as well.

Foreign nationals 14 years of age and older who are merely Permanent Residents of Canada will probably be subject to fingerprinting. Those who reach the age of 14 during their stay will need to apply for fingerprinting and be fingerprinted within 30 days.

However, the new rules do not apply to those who are exempt:

Canadian visitors who receive an I-94 Arrival/Departure document when they enter (typically air travelers)
NEXUS participants
Visa Waiver Program participants, and
Indigenous people, in certain circumstances.

Registrant responsibilities:

Registrants will have essentially the same responsibilities that other foreign nationals already have, including nonimmigrants with visas and green card holders (even if they are unaware that they have these responsibilities):

Inform the Government regarding each change of US address within 10 days per the process that the Government provides,
After every entry, go online and confirm that the I-94 that you have been issued is in the Government data system and that the date is correct: I-94 Official Website – Home Page Keep in mind that entering the document and data correctly is not the Government’s responsibility. That is your responsibility.
Carry evidence of registration on your person at all times (USCIS will provide documentation),
Register again before each entry (It is not 100% clear at this point, but it seems likely that even a registrant who takes a day trip to Mexico will need to register again.)

Willful failure to register is a crime punishable by a fine of no more $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months. Fraud related to registration is also a crime.

Interim regulations have been posted to the Federal Register as required for a comment period.

Why punish snowbirds?

Registration is not intended to punish Canadian visitors who don’t have visas. Rather, registration is designed to eliminate a potentially dangerous blind spot for America in managing its borders. Registration allows the US to collect data from the two or three million annual visitors from Canada, which is the same data it already collects from virtually every other foreign national. The responsibilities and protocols associated with registration should be familiar to every foreign national with a visa or green card, and from now on, Canadian visitors without visas will be treated like everyone else.

Given America’s unique (and historically warm) relationship with Canada, the Trump Administration could and should have done a better job of rolling out the registration program.

What are the practical implications of registration?

From now on, assume that US immigration authorities, including every border control officer you encounter, will have excellent records of how much time you spent in the US, and those will be available to every border control officer.

Be diligent about monitoring your length of stay. Get in the habit of counting days spent in the US. Mark a calendar. A multi-year calendar is ideal for tax reasons (discussed below).

Depart before your 183rd day to remain compliant with US immigration authorities. Assume staying in the US for more than 182 days has consequences. Staying merely an extra day or two could mean that your next stay is limited to a few weeks. Any time restriction imposed will be documented on your new I-94,your passport, or both.

Understand what resets the visitation clock (calendar), allowing you another 182 days. Merely leaving the US does not reset the clock. You must spend months abroad for the rest to be granted, and at this time we don’t know how many months are required. But it does appear likely that the glory days of spending seven months in the US soaking up warm sunshine under the radar are over.

Understand the IRS Substantial Presence Test and avoid it. For immigration purposes, the magic number is 182 days. But the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has its own magic number. Spending too many days in-country can trigger US tax residency based on IRS calculations.

What’s the IRS magic number? It’s considerably less than 182, and is actually just 31 days in the current year plus 180 days during the previous three years. More specifically, the Substantial Presence Test formula used in that calculation is: 1) all of the days in the current year, plus 2) one-third of the days last year, plus 3) one-sixth of the days in the previous year.

The Substantial Presence Test does NOT mean that you need to spend less than forty-five days in the US annually. There are steps you take and strategies you can follow to lawfully avoid triggering Substantial Presence while you still enjoy your months in the sun. But it is strongly advised that you consult a qualified cross-border tax expert to ensure you do not subject yourself to IRS consequences.

The impetus to explore options:

The beauty of “visitor without a visa” status was zero effort, zero headaches, and almost zero risk. As of April 11, the effort and headaches are rather significant, and ignoring the risks can result in substantial immigration visa and taxation complications.

Understandably, some Canadians will find this registration regime unwarranted and even insulting, and they’ll choose to avoid the US and spend their time and loonies elsewhere.

We can hope that at least a plucky few will see registration, the end of an era, as a strong motivation to explore other US immigration options and strategies. There are multiple options and Cardinal Point can help you understand each of them, so you can select the one that best suits your needs and goals.

Kris Rossignoli Featured in The Globe and Mail on the Hidden Costs of U.S. Redomiciling

March 29, 2025 By Cardinal Point Wealth

Kris Rossignoli, Senior Private Wealth Manager at Cardinal Point Wealth Management, was recently featured in The Globe and Mail article, “Flee Canada? Companies considering a U.S. move quickly learn it’s costly and complicated – and can even backfire.” In the article, Rossignoli offers expert commentary on the financial, tax, and immigration challenges Canadian companies face when considering relocating operations to the U.S.

Canada US cross-border financial decisions

Drawing from his extensive experience in cross-border wealth and tax planning, Rossignoli highlights key obstacles, such as Canada’s departure tax—typically 25% of net assets—as a major deal-breaker for many businesses. He also underscores the complexity of physically moving operations and obtaining U.S. immigration visas, warning that the steep financial and logistical costs often outweigh the perceived benefits of redomiciling.

His insights support the growing view among cross-border financial professionals that most Canadian companies are better off staying put—unless they have substantial operations in the U.S.

To learn more and read the full article below:

Flee Canada? Companies considering a U.S. move quickly learn it’s costly and complicated – and can even backfire

Only two months into United States President Donald Trump’s second term, whispers that Canadian companies will keep fleeing to the U.S. are rampant, and there are fears that it will cause economic ruin.

Corporate giants such as Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.

The reality: For many companies, redomiciling in the U.S. simply isn’t worth it, according to financial and legal advisers on both sides of the border. Once chief executives dig into the details, they quickly learn the benefits often aren’t all that compelling, and the process of relocating can be both gruelling and expensive.

To start, any perceived U.S. tax benefits usually aren’t that great – and can even be punitive. Canadian companies must also pay a departure tax worth roughly 25 per cent of their net assets on their way out.

As for Mr. Trump’s promise that U.S.-based companies won’t face tariffs, it’s misguided. The White House has repeatedly ignored the prospect of retaliatory tariffs, and a newly-American company that keeps selling to Canadian clients could end up facing stiff levies from their former home country.

There’s also the risk of political backlash, something Quebec-based trucking giant TFI International Inc. faced hours after announcing it would move to the U.S. The anger was so acute that chief executive officer Alain Bédard backtracked within four days and chose to stay put.

Of course, there can be benefits to redomiciling. For publicly listed companies, it offers the chance to get included in a U.S. stock market index, such as the S&P 500. That can attract more investor and analyst attention, helping to boost a company’s share price.

But nothing’s guaranteed. There’s already fierce competition among American companies to get into these indices, and there is also speculation that the rules for inclusion will change in the near future. S&P Global, which manages a number of major indices, might soon allow Canadian and other foreign-based companies to be included in a U.S. index despite being domiciled outside of the U.S.

“If this is the path followed, then there is no need for Canadian companies to even muse about switching to U.S. incorporation as these companies will get the benefit of U.S. index inclusion without the costly and difficult process of reincorporating south of the border,” wrote Peter Haynes, a managing director at TD Securities who specializes in index rules, in an e-mail to The Globe and Mail.

On the tax front, CEOs often assume their companies will pay lower rates in the U.S., especially with Mr. Trump bragging about the tax cuts he put in place during his first term. Yet in a number of U.S. states, the corporate tax rate is quite similar to what a Canadian company currently pays once all levels of government are factored in.

There are also scores of less obvious tax differences between the two countries. For miners, certain exploration tax credits offered in Canada may not exist in the U.S., and for health care or technology companies, the same can be true for research and development tax credits.

While there certainly are instances where a Canadian company will pay lower taxes in the U.S., the corporations that benefit have to consider their geographic mix. For the most part, revenue gets taxed in the country where it is earned. So if a newly-American company still generates half of its sales in Canada, half of its business will be taxed at Canadian rates.

“People can redomicile to their heart’s content,” said Lachlan Wolfers, the national leader of KPMG Law in Canada, but corporate taxes are mostly paid wherever a company has a permanent establishment, such as an office, factory or mine. (There are some exceptions, such as technology companies that claim they sell into Canada from the U.S., which is why Canada enforced its digital sales tax.)

Tax is a “relevant and important factor,” Mr. Wolfers said, but ultimately, “these decisions should not be tax-driven.”

Redomiciling can also be a logistical nightmare – and an expensive one.

Few business owners factor Canada’s departure tax into their calculations, and it can be sizable. In a recent case, Carol Sadler, a partner specializing in cross-border taxation at Achen Henderson in Calgary, said the departure tax would wipe out all of her clients’ cash and receivables, and then they’d have to move their equipment to the U.S. and would likely need financing to restart operations there.

The departure tax “is one of the typical deal breakers we see,” said Kris Rossignoli, a cross-border tax and financial planner with Cardinal Point Wealth in New York, who works with Canadian clients.

And even when it’s manageable, in order to physically move to the U.S long term, business owners need an immigration visa: “That’s not something you can just get overnight,” Mr. Rossignoli said.

For some, the benefits can still outweigh the costs, such as when a Canadian company has significant manufacturing and sales in the U.S. But such clients also have to look a few years out.

“I think the number of people who will do this in the short-term is really small because we just don’t know how long the tariffs are gonna last,” said Max Reed, a cross-border tax lawyer and principal of Polaris Tax Counsel in Vancouver. (U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently said the reciprocal tariff rate that the U.S. plans to charge each of its trading partners will be announced on April 2.)

The same is true for publicly listed corporations who might redomicile for index purposes. In early March, S&P proposed changes to its rules for inclusion in the S&P/TSX Composite Index, permitting U.S. domiciled companies “with significant ties to Canada” to remain listed here.

Responding to questions from The Globe, S&P did not say much about its reasoning and also did not discuss the likelihood of future changes to other indices.

But Mr. Haynes, the TD analyst, thinks the same thing could happen in the U.S. over the next two years. Country-specific indices, he wrote, “are a bit of a relic.”

Often, he added, “these domestic indices bear limited resemblance to a local economy – think about Shell or BP which are part of the FTSE 100 but have only a small percentage of revenue generated in the United Kingdom.”

Kris Rossignoli featured in The Globe and Mail – Cross-Border Financial Uncertainty Amid U.S. Trade War

March 29, 2025 By Cardinal Point Wealth

Kris Rossignoli, Senior Private Wealth Manager at Cardinal Point Wealth Management, is a leading voice in cross-border financial planning, guiding clients through rising uncertainty as the U.S. trade war intensifies. Featured in The Globe and Mail article “Five questions cross-border experts are facing as trade war escalates,” Rossignoli offers expert insights into the growing concerns of his clients with ties across the U.S.-Canada border.

With heightened client anxiety over the viability of U.S. Social Security, Rossignoli notes that some retirees are now opting to withdraw benefits earlier, fearing potential future cuts. He also observes a surge in interest around currency risk, as clients look to capitalize on a favorable exchange rate by converting U.S. holdings to Canadian dollars. On the investment front, Rossignoli’s diversified approach—balancing international equities, emerging markets, and fixed income—has helped clients weather recent U.S. market volatility.Rossignoli’s expertise ensures clients remain financially prepared, even as geopolitical shifts stir uncertainty. Read the full article from The Globe and Mail below to learn more about the key questions facing cross-border investors and how Rossignoli is helping them navigate the road ahead.

Five questions cross-border experts are facing as trade war escalates

With the escalation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, cross-border advisors have been swamped with queries from clients anxious about how the changes will affect them.

“It’s becoming a regular event. Questions come up at every single meeting,” says Irina Matco, co-founder and cross-border financial planner at i2 Wealth Cross Border Planning in Montreal.

She’s not alone. Here are the top concerns advisors are hearing from clients with connections to both sides of the border:

Renouncing U.S. citizenship

Andrea Thompson, certified financial planner at Modern Cents in Toronto, says Canadian clients who live in the U.S. and are disgruntled about the political environment have inquired about the pros and cons of keeping their U.S. citizenship.

These clients often have dual citizenship through their parents and don’t have ongoing ties or family in the U.S., Ms. Thompson says.

Ms. Matco says these clients also want to know about the future tax implications of such a move. The trade war has them wondering about the viability of the U.S./Canada tax treaty, for example.

“This concern stems from the possibility of losing certain treaty benefits or becoming subject to double taxation in the future,” she says.

Ms. Matco would conduct various tests to determine the consequences of renunciation, which could include a capital gains tax.

Social security

Many clients are worried about the viability of U.S. social security, which Ms. Matco notes is significantly underfunded.

“Based on the 2024 annual report, projections indicate the trust fund could run out of money by 2035 unless changes are made,” she says.

If no changes are made to the funding, retirees could receive just 83 per cent of their social security benefits beginning in 2035, according to the report.

With the administration’s us-versus-them mantra, some clients believe social security payments could be put on the table for those who reside abroad.

Ms. Thompson has clients who lived and worked in the U.S., accruing social security they’re banking on to fund their retirements. Due to client demand, she started incorporating a lower amount of social security into their financial planning projections. Some want her to take social security out of her planning completely.

“They don’t want to rely on it,” Ms. Thompson says. “They don’t trust it’s going to be around in whatever iteration it will be once the time they qualify comes.”

Kris Rossignoli, cross-border tax and financial planner at Cardinal Point Capital Management ULC in New York, has also discussed social security with his senior clients.

Typically, retirees defer their social security to age 70, he says, as they receive a permanent 8-per-cent increase to the benefit every year they defer. But some are considering an earlier withdrawal out of fear that social security won’t be around.

Currency risk and opportunity

Ms. Thompson has Canadian clients employed by U.S. companies and others who receive U.S pension and investment income. These clients are asking for financial planning projections that reflect a stronger U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar.

“While the exchange rate back to Canada is so beneficial to them right now, they want to know how to optimize their financial situation,” she says.

Using financial planning software, Ms. Thompson models out currency assumptions for the short term.

Mr. Rossignoli says currency fluctuations are always on his clients’ radar. With the Canadian dollar depreciating over the past 18 months, clients with investments in U.S. dollars have been looking to transfer them into Canadian dollars to lock in a lucrative foreign exchange rate.

Tariffs on services

Freelance contractors who work remotely for a U.S. company worry tariffs will be put on the services they provide, Ms. Matco says.

“There’s a growing concern the trade war could extend beyond goods and affect individuals as well,” she notes.

Some clients are wondering about their ability to continue to work for themselves with a U.S. company.

Tariffs and investments

All clients are concerned about investment performance given the sell-off in U.S. stocks, Mr. Rossignoli says. He emphasizes his portfolios’ diversified asset approach.

“While the S&P 500 might be down 8 per cent, our average client may only be down 1 to 2 per cent,” he says.

His portfolios include allocations to international equities, emerging markets, alternatives and fixed income.

“It depends what stage of life they’re in,” he says. “We’re making sure their investment mix still matches their risk tolerance.”

Dorchester Wealth Management to Join Cardinal Point, Focus Partners Canada

March 4, 2025 By Cardinal Point Wealth

Focus Financial Partners Inc., an interdependent partnership of wealth management, business management, and related financial services firms, has announced that Focus network firm Dorchester Wealth Management, headquartered in Montreal, QC, has formally joined Toronto, ON-based Cardinal Point Capital Management ULC, a part of Cardinal Point, Focus Partners Canada, in a transaction that was completed on March 1, 2025.

Dorchester has a legacy as one of Canada’s first independent wealth management firms, whose founding dates back nearly a century. The firm has built a reputation for delivering sound advice and quality investment counsel to high-net-worth clients. In 2015, Dorchester became the first Canadian partner firm of Focus, part of a strategic initiative that, among other things, allowed for the sharing of best practices across the United States and Canada.

Founded in 2009, Cardinal Point is a leader in cross-border wealth management, providing investment management and estate, tax, and financial planning solutions to its high-net-worth and business-management clients across the United States and Canada.

This deal reflects Focus’ commitment to better serve the Canadian market through strategic integration. By joining Cardinal Point, Dorchester clients will gain access to an expanded suite of services across financial planning, tax, and insurance capabilities, as well as cross-border expertise for clients in the United States and Canada. In turn, Cardinal Point will benefit from Dorchester’s strong investment expertise, expand its representation across Canada, and have a new office in Montreal, QC. Upon the completion of this transaction, Cardinal Point is expected to have $5.1 billion CAD in regulatory assets under management, measured as of December 31, 2024.

As part of this merger, Dorchester’s current President, Robert Bard, will become President, Wealth Management, Montreal Operations at Cardinal Point.

“We take great pride in our unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, client-focused approach that continually raises standards and are excited about our shared vision with Cardinal Point.” said Mr. Bard. “By bringing together our collective expertise and resources, we are creating a wealth management firm that is exceptionally positioned to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions.”

“Dorchester has earned its reputation as a leading investment counselling firm with a history of providing tailored advice to clients,” said Jeff Sheldon, CEO, Cardinal Point. “We share Dorchester’s rigorous commitment to preeminent client service, and we look forward to working with them to help clients meet their financial goals.”

“Uniting these two industry leaders is an important next step in pioneering a full-service, comprehensive wealth management offering and unique platform in Canada,” said Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus Financial Partners. “Canada is an exciting growth market for Focus, and we look forward to seeing these firms work together to deliver personalized service and exceptional wealth management solutions and expertise to their clients.”

About Focus Financial Partners Inc.

Focus is an interdependent partnership of wealth management, business management, and related financial services firms, rooted in a client-first approach and powered by the collective energy and capabilities of its many advisors and professionals. The Focus partnership includes firms operated under the Focus Partners brand that reflect the company’s key business lines. Through a blend of innovative solutions, strong capital backing, and deep business expertise, Focus empowers its firms to achieve their business objectives by helping them better serve their clients and advisors. Discover more about how Focus is evolving the wealth and business management landscape by visiting www.focusfinancialpartners.com or by following the company on LinkedIn.

About Cardinal Point, Focus Partners Canada

Cardinal Point is a leading cross-border wealth and business-management firm that provides exceptional service to individuals across Canada and the United States. Cardinal Point offers comprehensive investment, estate, tax, business-management, and cross-border financial planning solutions that are customized to suit clients’ unique financial needs. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Cardinal Point also has offices in Calgary, Alberta, and Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information about Cardinal Point, please visit https://cardinalpointwealth.com/.

About Dorchester Wealth Management

Dorchester Wealth Management, founded in 1928, was one of Canada’s original wealth management firms. Based in Montreal with professionals in both Montreal and Toronto, the firm provides investment counsel and wealth management services to clients across North America and overseas with assets under management in excess of $2 billion CAD. The firm is licensed with l’Autorite des marches financiers du Quebec, the Securities Commissions of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States. For more information about Dorchester, please visit www.dorchesterwealth.com

Moving from the U.S. to Canada – A Checklist of Financial, Tax, and Logistical Considerations

February 24, 2025 By Cardinal Point Wealth

Relocating from the United States to Canada is an exciting transition, but it comes with complex financial, tax, and logistical considerations. Without proper planning, individuals may face unexpected tax liabilities, compliance issues, and financial inefficiencies.

The below covers some of the many critical action items for a smooth financial transition when moving from the U.S. to Canada. Please contact a cross-border financial planner at Cardinal Point to customize planning for your unique situation.

1. Immigration Considerations

Before moving, individuals must ensure they have the appropriate immigration status to live and work in Canada.

Confirm Residency or Work Permit Requirements – If moving as a permanent resident, ensure the application is complete and approved before arrival. Work permits may be necessary for employment eligibility.
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) – A SIN is required to work and access government programs such as healthcare and tax credits.
Understand Entry Procedures – When arriving in Canada, travelers must provide proof of residency intentions to immigration officers.

2. Customs & Moving Logistics

Bringing household goods and vehicles to Canada involves specific import regulations.

Prepare a Customs Declaration for Personal Belongings – A detailed inventory must be presented to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Confirm Vehicle Import Eligibility – Not all U.S. vehicles meet Canadian safety standards, requiring modifications and inspections.
Exchange a U.S. Driver’s License for a Canadian License – Canadian provinces allow an exchange process without a written or road test.

3. Banking, Investments, and Credit

Managing financial accounts across two countries requires careful planning to optimize currency exchange, investment taxation, and credit history.

Open a Canadian Bank Account – Some banks allow accounts to be opened remotely before arrival.
Review U.S. Investment Accounts –
- IRAs and 401(k)s should remain in the U.S. with a custodian experienced in working with Canadian residents.
- Canadian investment accounts should be opened upon establishing Canadian tax residency.
Exchange U.S. Dollars to Canadian Dollars Wisely –
- Avoid bank exchange fees by using foreign exchange platforms.
- Consider keeping some assets in U.S. dollars if future U.S. spending is expected.
Avoid Carrying Large Cash Amounts – Transferring over $10,000 USD or CAD in cash requires a customs declaration.
Establish a Canadian Credit History – Apply for a Canadian credit card immediately after arrival to start building a credit profile.

4. Real Estate & Property Considerations

Whether to sell or retain a U.S. home depends on tax implications and financial goals.

Sell U.S. Property Before Establishing Canadian Residency – Avoid potential Canadian capital gains tax on future appreciation.
Obtain a Fair Market Valuation for Retained Property – This establishes a cost basis for future taxation.

5. Tax Planning Considerations

Tax laws differ between the U.S. and Canada, and improper planning can lead to double taxation.

Determine Canadian Tax Residency Date – The date residency is established impacts when tax obligations begin in Canada.
Take Advantage of the Canadian Cost Basis Step-Up – When becoming a Canadian tax resident, investment assets receive a fair market value reset, minimizing future Canadian capital gains tax. Selling taxable assets with unrealized losses before moving to Canada locks in the realized loss for U.S. tax purposes and results in the same cost basis for Canadian and U.S. cost basis tracking.
Plan for Roth IRA Conversions – Converting a Roth IRA before moving may prevent taxation under Canadian law.
Prepare your U.S. Taxable Assets for Income Splitting in Canada – Splitting taxable assets equally between spouses before moving will allow spouses to equalize their incomes for Canadian tax purposes, while also not resulting in U.S. to gift tax.
Claim Foreign Tax Credits – U.S. taxes paid on investment or retirement income may be credited against Canadian tax liability.
Maintain U.S. Tax Compliance – U.S. citizens must continue filing U.S. tax returns and report foreign assets through:
- FBAR (Form 114) for bank accounts exceeding $10,000.
- FATCA (Form 8938) for foreign-held investments.

6. Healthcare Planning

Canada provides public healthcare, but new residents may experience a waiting period before coverage begins.

Apply for Provincial Health Insurance Immediately – Most provinces require 3 months of residency before benefits begin.
Secure Temporary Private Health Insurance – Short-term private coverage is recommended during the waiting period.
Explore Extended Health Coverage – Some prescription drugs, vision, and dental care are not covered under Canada’s public system, making private insurance beneficial.

7. Estate Planning Updates

Wills and estate planning documents must comply with Canadian law.

Review and Update Wills & Powers of Attorney – U.S. estate documents may not be valid in Canada.
Assess Cross-Border Estate Tax Exposure – U.S. citizens remain subject to U.S. estate tax laws, even while residing in Canada.
Notify Financial Institutions of Address Changes – Banks, investment firms, and insurance providers should have up-to-date residency information.

8. Risk Management (Insurance Considerations)

Insurance coverage must be updated to reflect Canadian residency and assets.

Review Medicare Eligibility – U.S. citizens should determine if keeping Medicare coverage is beneficial for potential future use.
Establish Canadian Home & Auto Insurance – Policies should be secured before canceling U.S. coverage.

9. Other Important Considerations

Beyond financial and tax planning, several administrative tasks should be addressed.

Update Government Records – Notify Service Canada of address changes for tax and pension benefits.
Cancel U.S. Memberships & Subscriptions – Avoid unnecessary expenses on U.S.-based accounts.
Ensure Pets Meet Import Requirements – Vaccinations and import permits may be required.

Planning Today for a Smooth Move Tomorrow

Moving from the U.S. to Canada requires careful coordination across financial, tax, and legal systems. By proactively managing key transition items, individuals can minimize tax exposure, optimize investments, and ensure seamless integration into Canadian life.

For expert guidance, please contact a cross-border financial planner at Cardinal Point to tailor a plan that aligns with your individual circumstances and long-term financial goals.