In Canada, if we go on a trip outside of the country, we have to return every six months or we will lose our medical insurance and I guess just dropping in at the Canadian embassy would not do. So I was wondering whether a similar restriction applies for Americans, do they have to return to the States or lose something like their deductions, etc. I was thinking of those six month world cruises and what would go wrong, like the ship being detained at a foreign port while they search for terrorists, and how because of that us Canadians would just take limited two or three month hours. So do you Americans have the same worry that if you stay on the ship or in another country past so long, you are in trouble?
[question posted by suspenseful]
responses and comments:
That's a great question. I look forward to reading the responses for this. I've never traveled outside the country for more than a few days. [desertdarlene]
I have been to the States. I have also went from Scotland to England and then to Canada, but since that happened when I was very young, it did not count. I would not mind taking a cruise of two or three months. [suspenseful]
I don't think so. I've never traveled, so I'm not sure, but I don't think anything happens if we aren't back by a certain time. [Bd200789]
Us Canadians have to be back in Canada every six months or we lose our medical insurance. I do not know what will happen if we buy private insurance. It does make one wonder. [suspenseful]
Actually yes there is something similar in teh United States. I don't all the legal words and all. But my understanding in Florida those that work abroad must come back every 6 months. [rusty2rusty]
Okay that makes sense. Because I would hate to think that if I wanted to spend my last years on a Cruise ship, the captain would holler "now we are coming to North America, all you Canadians who have been on for six months, you have to go ashore at Vancouver, the Americans can just stay on board and do not have to get off at Seattle!" lol [suspenseful]
I have never heard of this. I don't think we have that restriction. I know that if pay for my insurance, it is mine. In all the insurance papers I have read that I have never come upon anything like that. That would be scary. [Yestheypayme2dothis]
OH and they better have a wide screen tv in the room and I want to watch Lost and CSI. lol [suspenseful]
I don't think so with Medicare or my insurance. Actually, I KNOW that my insurance wouldn't be cancelled because it through my retirement policy. [ElicBxn]
I'm a retired State Slave, and that's how my insurance is paid... [ElicBxn]
Really don tknow for I havent ever checked into it. Not to much of staying away from my home that long a week or to is all I can think of doing. and then I am still in the states! [Lakota12]
well they couold have that kind of passport . I would check it out farther to find out. [Lakota12]
What a fabulous question! I've always known our rules but never thought if other countries have placed similar limitations on their people. I would think that any nation that does not have a national healthcare system would not have travel restrictions ..... of course this is opinion and not really based on anything. I look forward to reading all the responses and becoming better educated on the subject. [HomeFlower]
I guess if Obama has his way, you will have a national healthcare system and will be on the same restrictions as we do, unless they let you keep your private insurance. Does seem a bad choice. I know they have travel insurance, we got some when we took the cruise, but that is just temporary. [suspenseful]
Oh really? I am not sure how it works here in the United States. I have never travelled outside of here before. [stephcjh]
It becomes very cold here in Winter, so unless we go to Vancouver, the only chance of going someplace warm is going to the States,another country, or on the sea. [suspenseful]
Uh, I am not sure. However that's why they allow you to get travel visa. I believe if you are gone for more than 3--4 months they usually require a visa. It's best to contact your government agency and find out the details---if there are any benefits that are forfeited. Cheers! Pablo [callarse1]
I can do that. Not that I would want to spend all the time on a cruise ship. It would be more if for instance, the government decided to get rid of the undesirables, and no one else would take them, like what happened in Voyage to the Dammed with the Jewish people. I have a good idea who would get persecuted, and so far the immigration does allow those who are persecuted to enter as refugees, but what would happen if suddenly the doors were shut. Forget about those who say "It will never happen" and remember this is a worse case scenerio, and it might happen. What if the borders were closed, and you were escaping Zimbabwe, and because of the president there, the rule said no citizens of Zimbabwe are allowed to enter any other country and the president of Zimbabwe says you cannot return or you will be tortured. I can also give you supposing on religious grounds, but you can see where I am getting at. I am sure, except in the case of an elderly widow who has no one or an ex sea captain who loves the sea, no one would choose to live on a cruise ship voluntarily. [suspenseful]