# Moving from Canada to US (Hawaii) in some capacity - info/advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 10, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003 "2013-05-10T16:13:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/1 "2013-05-10T16:13:06Z")
I’m thinking of spending some ongoing extended time in Hawaii in the future. Not sure if it would be year-round or for months at a time with returns to residence in Canada, like a “snow-bird” kind of thing, or how it might go. I would expect to be looking for some kind of employment, as I am a long way from retirement. Any information/advice or experiences anyone could share on this would be greatly appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/2 "2013-05-10T17:24:41Z")
So, are you looking for advice on how to become a US citizen? There’s a huge body of information online about how to emigrate to another country. Have you bothered to google this yet? Because you should do that first, then come back and ask follow-up questions if you don’t understand what you’ve read. If you are indeed looking for advice on how to repatriate, the short answer is: it’s complicated, expensive, and your chances \*without \*a sponsor do not exist. The long answer is: you need a corporation, family member, or other citizen to sponsor you. You could start job-hunting online for Hawaiian companies with a presence in Canada. Get employed at their Canadian location, then try to get them to transfer you to Hawaii (very, very long shot). Or, if you are a highly-skilled worker with an in-demand degree, find a company in Hawaii and convince them to hire/sponsor you. This avenue is truly only available to highly-skilled workers with a marketable degree, though. Most companies don’t want the headache and the expense, so you’re almost certainly limited to multinationals. If you’re just an average joe without family in Hawaii, forget about it. I suppose you could apply to a Hawaiian college and get in on a student visa. But student visas are temporary, and the tuition would be insane. Or try to date a bunch of Hawaiians online, then propose marriage until one of them accepts. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/3 "2013-05-10T18:34:39Z")
As Rachellelogram mentioned, it really matters whether immigration matters need to be completed. Do you have US citizenship or a green card? If you do, it’s going to be a lot easier than if you need to handle visa applications in addition to all the practical stuff like moving, housing, work, etc. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/4 "2013-05-10T19:04:18Z")
IIRC even USA citizens can only own property in Hawaii for 99 years ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/5 "2013-05-10T20:52:04Z")
My parents spend a lot of time in Hawaii and just bought a house there (Big Island). I would advise you to not buy a place unless you have time and patience. The State of Hawaii has very strict rules about foreign ownership of property, including very hefty taxes when buying or selling. They can spend up to one day less than half a year there and maintain Canadian citizenship. If you plan on spending any more time then that there, follow Rachellogram’s advice. I am not sure how you would do the work thing, but I do have friends who have travelled to foreign countries without visas and just work under the table. I’m not sure if that’s common in Hawaii or not. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/6 "2013-05-10T22:25:28Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I am not sure how you would do the work thing, but I do have friends who have travelled to foreign countries without visas and just work under the table. I’m not sure if that’s common in Hawaii or not. Innovative! Also common in the US. I’ve even known lots of \*citizens \*who work under the table. Not that I’m advocating tax evasion, but it happens a lot. Unfortunately, the US is pretty much the _worst_ place for a non-citizen to require medical treatment. Unless you are extremely independently wealthy, in which case you wouldn’t need a job in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/7 "2013-05-12T04:20:32Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > They can spend up to one day less than half a year there and maintain Canadian citizenship. If you plan on spending any more time then that there, follow Rachellogram’s advice. I think you mean, “maintain Canadian residence” i.e. keep their Canadian tax status and health-care status in their home province. You don’t lose Canadian citizenship just by living outside of the country for six months. ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/8 "2013-05-12T05:32:51Z")
> [@cougar58](#): > > IIRC even USA citizens can only own property in Hawaii for 99 years Cite? I was born and raised in Hawaii and I have never heard of this. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/9 "2013-05-12T05:56:55Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > You don’t lose Canadian citizenship just by living outside of the country for six months. I’m not sure, but if you were born in Canada, I don’t think you can lose Canadian citizenship at all; short of specifically renouncing it. The Canadian government can revoke the citizenship of naturalized citizens (after a court hearing, of course), but it cannot do that to Canadian citizens born in Canada. Under Canadian law, they remain Canadian under all circumstances. Even if they take out another nation’s citizenship (e.g. the US, Australia, the UK, France, etc.), the Canadian government regards native-born Canadians as having Canadian citizenship, and they can always come home as per s. 6 of the Charter. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/10 "2013-05-12T15:36:45Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I’m not sure, but if you were born in Canada, I don’t think you can lose Canadian citizenship at all; short of specifically renouncing it. The Canadian government can revoke the citizenship of naturalized citizens (after a court hearing, of course), but it cannot do that to Canadian citizens born in Canada. Under Canadian law, they remain Canadian under all circumstances. Even if they take out another nation’s citizenship (e.g. the US, Australia, the UK, France, etc.), the Canadian government regards native-born Canadians as having Canadian citizenship, and they can always come home as per s. 6 of the Charter. Not just born in Canada, but if you’re Canadian by birth, full stop: that includes Canadians born abroad. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/11 "2013-05-12T16:19:46Z")
All of the average joes I have met in Hawaii work 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to support themselves. The cost of living is insane and wages are LOW. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/12 "2013-05-12T17:39:54Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > All of the average joes I have met in Hawaii work 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to support themselves. > The cost of living is insane and wages are LOW. > YMMV. If you like the tropical climate but want something maybe a bit less expensive, consider the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/13 "2013-05-12T19:21:10Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I think you mean, “maintain Canadian residence” i.e. keep their Canadian tax status and health-care status in their home province. > > You don’t lose Canadian citizenship just by living outside of the country for six months. Yes, that is what I meant, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/14 "2013-05-12T20:02:12Z")
Cougar58 said : “IIRC even USA citizens can only own property in Hawaii for 99 years” > [@bytheway](#): > > Cite? I was born and raised in Hawaii and I have never heard of this. > **[Access to this page has been denied.](https://www.trulia.com/captcha?url=L3ZvaWNlcy9Ib21lX0J1eWluZy9Jbl9IYXdhaWlfd2hhdF9kb2VzX0xlYXNlaG9sZF9tZWFuX0FyZV90aGVzZV9hXy01NzMwOT8=&uuid=71de915a-1157-11f0-8e8d-e4d7412ac16c&vid=)** > **[Leasehold Definition](https://hubpages.com/education/Leasehold_Defined)** > > Updated August 27, 2011 > A leasehold is a form of real estate ownership. > When we speak of a lease, most people have the image of a standard rental agreement for an apartment or business property. > This type of lease is for a short term –... In the United States, much of the land in the State of Hawaii is owned by descendants of the original missionaries who lease it to the occupants of the land. These occupants have long term leaseholds and pay a fixed rent to the holders of the lease while having the right to sell the lease, improve the property and obtain mortgages on the property much the same as their counterparts in the other forty-nine states who own, rather than lease their homes, farm and business lands. Changes are being made to the land ownership system in the state of Hawaii and some lands are being sold outright rather than being leased out by their owners, however, a good portion of land in Hawaii is still held as leaseholds. > **[Yahoo Search - Web Search](https://search.yahoo.com/)** > > The search engine that helps you find exactly what you're looking for. Find the most relevant information, video, images, and answers from all across the Web. Some good answers on above link and the 99 year lease and here [http://larksribs.com/hawaii-land/explain-cant-own-land-in-hawaii-you-lease-it-why](http://larksribs.com/hawaii-land/explain-cant-own-land-in-hawaii-you-lease-it-why) ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/15 "2013-05-12T22:30:25Z")
> [@cougar58](#): > > Cougar58 said : “IIRC even USA citizens can only own property in Hawaii for 99 years” > > [Access to this page has been denied.](http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/In_Hawaii_what_does_Leasehold_mean_Are_these_a_-57309) > > [Leasehold Definition | HubPages](http://chuck.hubpages.com/hub/Leasehold_Defined) > > In the United States, much of the land in the State of Hawaii is owned by descendants of the original missionaries who lease it to the occupants of the land. These occupants have long term leaseholds and pay a fixed rent to the holders of the lease while having the right to sell the lease, improve the property and obtain mortgages on the property much the same as their counterparts in the other forty-nine states who own, rather than lease their homes, farm and business lands. > > Changes are being made to the land ownership system in the state of Hawaii and some lands are being sold outright rather than being leased out by their owners, however, a good portion of land in Hawaii is still held as leaseholds. > > [Yahoo Search - Web Search](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100311151614AAqfPZf) > > Some good answers on above link and the 99 year lease > > and here > > [http://larksribs.com/hawaii-land/explain-cant-own-land-in-hawaii-you-lease-it-why](http://larksribs.com/hawaii-land/explain-cant-own-land-in-hawaii-you-lease-it-why) Thank you for the cites. However, your original statement with your cites seem to imply all homes must be bought leasehold, when that is not the case. I don’t know offhand what percent of residences is leasehold, but if you are looking to buy a single family home on Oahu you will easily find fee simple property (where ownership of land is included) available. Whether you (or the OP) can afford it is another story. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/16 "2013-05-13T07:43:02Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > All of the average joes I have met in Hawaii work 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to support themselves. > The cost of living is insane and wages are LOW. > YMMV. Indeed. I can verify that working three jobs is not at all uncommon in Hawaii. I was lucky during my time there that I did not have to do that – I had a job on campus at the East West Center (which is technically off the U of Hawaii campus, but not even the students realize that), and that job came with a free room, so I had no rent issues. But even then I ended up working a second job in my last semester. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-canada-to-us-hawaii-in-some-capacity-info-advice/658003/17 "2013-05-14T15:40:59Z")
Thanks, everyone, for the helpful replies.