As an expat, should I register with the Canadian govt?
March 12, 2009 3:52 PM
I'm a Canadian (Ontario) citizen, currently living in Eastern Europe. I usually "register" with the Canadian govt. each time I live abroad, just because, well, you never know what might happen. But this time, I have a couple questions:
1. I do not have a work permit for the country I am living in. I do visaruns every time my tourist visa expires. Will the Canadian govt. share my regstration info with my host country? (I've read the privacy policy, and they *can*, in case of criminal/terrorist activities, or if I was kidnapped, etc.. but I specifically mean, do they hand over a list and say "Hey [country], these Canadians say they're in your country for the next year")
2. Will they send a call over to the OHIP offices? OHIP gets temp. canceled once you've been out of the country for more than 152 days or so, and it takes 3 months upon your return to get it reinstated. I just want to know if the folks at OHIP will know I'm gone, because of registering.
I'm just trying to weight the consequences of the decision, either way. Any advice or knowledge would be awesome. Thanks, mefites!
BTW, here's the link to the "Registration of citizen's traveling abroad" that I'm talking about.
1. I do not have a work permit for the country I am living in. I do visaruns every time my tourist visa expires. Will the Canadian govt. share my regstration info with my host country? (I've read the privacy policy, and they *can*, in case of criminal/terrorist activities, or if I was kidnapped, etc.. but I specifically mean, do they hand over a list and say "Hey [country], these Canadians say they're in your country for the next year")
2. Will they send a call over to the OHIP offices? OHIP gets temp. canceled once you've been out of the country for more than 152 days or so, and it takes 3 months upon your return to get it reinstated. I just want to know if the folks at OHIP will know I'm gone, because of registering.
I'm just trying to weight the consequences of the decision, either way. Any advice or knowledge would be awesome. Thanks, mefites!
BTW, here's the link to the "Registration of citizen's traveling abroad" that I'm talking about.
Yes, I second what Dee is saying about visa runs becoming less and less possible in Eastern Europe.
As to your specific question, I would avoid the registration thing. There is not going to be a bloody revolution where you need the Canadian government to fly you out in a helicopter, and I think just as well they don't keep tabs on you. Especially if you are worried about health insurance status.
Even if they aren't linked up and sharing this information right now, I assure you it is only a question of when.
posted by Meatbomb at 4:59 PM on March 12, 2009
As to your specific question, I would avoid the registration thing. There is not going to be a bloody revolution where you need the Canadian government to fly you out in a helicopter, and I think just as well they don't keep tabs on you. Especially if you are worried about health insurance status.
Even if they aren't linked up and sharing this information right now, I assure you it is only a question of when.
posted by Meatbomb at 4:59 PM on March 12, 2009
Unless you're working in a dangerous part of Kosovo, I can't imagine the benefits of registering would outweigh the risks. And you're right - you do not want to go through the hassle of re-registering for an OHIP card. As Dee Xtrovert pointed out, family can pass on your details to the Cdn gvmt in the case of emergency.
posted by meerkatty at 5:04 PM on March 12, 2009
posted by meerkatty at 5:04 PM on March 12, 2009
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But to answer your question, I doubt Canada shares that info, and I can't imagine it being handled so well that it would come back to bite you. On the other hand, I wouldn't register with the Canadian (or any other) government anyway . . . just tell a parent or friend the details and let them contact the government if need be.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 4:21 PM on March 12, 2009