Every fall, thousands of Canadians trade snow for Palm Beach County sunshine. Whether you’re wintering here for the season or thinking about making Florida permanent, the rules are different for Canadians — and getting them wrong is expensive. I’m Leroy Francis: a Florida Realtor with Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, and a Canadian who made this move myself. Here’s what you actually need to know.
Talk to Leroy — Call / Text (647) 499-0322 (Canada) or (561) 913-4439 (Florida)
PART 1 — Wintering in Florida: The Snowbird Essentials
How long can a Canadian stay in the US?
Canadians can generally visit the US for up to 6 months without a visa. But the day count matters twice over:
- Immigration: overstaying your welcome creates real problems for future trips.
- Taxes: spend too many days and the IRS may treat you as a US tax resident under the Substantial Presence Test — a 3-year weighted day count. Many snowbirds who meet the test protect their Canadian tax residency by filing IRS Form 8840 (Closer Connection Exception) every year. The practical rule most snowbirds live by: keep your US days under 183 in any single year, and track them.
Keep a simple log of your entry and exit dates. Every year. It is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.
Your provincial health coverage does not follow you
Ontario’s OHIP no longer covers most medical costs outside Canada, and other provinces cover only a small fraction of what US care actually costs. One US hospital visit can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Seasonal travel health insurance for your full Florida stay is not optional — it’s the foundation of the whole plan. We arrange coverage through LIV Transition Group’s Insurance Services, sized to your exact dates.
Get covered before you cross — (647) 499-0322 (Canada) or (561) 913-4439 (Florida)
Rent first, or buy?
Many snowbirds rent for a season or two, learn the neighbourhoods, then buy. Others buy right away because they know they’re coming back every year. Either way:
- Canadians can buy Florida property freely — there is no restriction on foreign buyers.
- Financing is available to Canadian buyers, including foreign-national programs.
- Palm Beach County gives you options at every budget: Greenacres, Lake Worth, Wellington, Boynton Beach, and beyond.
- When you eventually sell, US tax rules for foreign owners (FIRPTA withholding) can apply — plan for it from the day you buy, not the day you sell.
See what’s for sale in Palm Beach County — Visit My YHSGR Website
Bringing your life with you
Car, furniture, the things that make a Florida house feel like home — plan the logistics early. (Seasonal shipping guidance available through our network; ask when we talk.)
PART 2 — Making the Move Permanent
Wintering is one thing. Living in Florida year-round means US immigration status — you cannot simply stay. Depending on your situation, routes can include employment-based options, investment, or family sponsorship. The right route depends on your work, your business plans, and your family — and a wrong first step can close doors.
Through Francis Immigration Services, I help Canadians plan the legal side of a move and prepare their US immigration documentation properly, the first time. And if you’re leaving Canada permanently, talk to your accountant about severing Canadian tax residency ties and the departure tax before you go — the order of steps matters.
Book a consultation — (647) 499-0322 (Canada) or (561) 913-4439 (Florida)
Why work with Leroy?
- Licensed Florida Realtor (SL3656612) with Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty — ask about our 6-Figure and 7-Figure Guarantee programs.
- Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R705783) — I understand both sides of the border because I work on both sides of it.
- One team for the whole transition: the house, the insurance, the paperwork, the notarizations. LIV Transition Group exists for exactly this.
Thinking about Florida this winter? Call or text (647) 499-0322 (Canada) or (561) 913-4439 (Florida) — let’s map out your season.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Immigration and tax rules change — confirm your situation in a consultation before making decisions.
Learn more: Insurance Services, Francis Immigration Services, and Real Estate.