Canadian Snowbirds caught up in new U.S. travel rule

Canadian snowbirds, take note: a new immigration provision put into effect by the U.S. government may change the way you travel.

Foreign nationals visiting the U.S. for more than 30 days will have to register with the government in order to avoid penalties, a shift that could impact the millions of Canadians who head south of the border for warmer climates each year.

The new requirements, implemented by the Trump administration and published on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, are part of the U.S. President’s “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” executive order, which was signed on Jan. 20, 2025.

It applies to anyone who isn’t a permanent resident.

Registration required  

Historically, Canadian citizens have enjoyed visa exemption and verbal inspection at land borders without formal documentation.

But as of Feb. 25, foreign nationals who enter the U.S. via a land border, and did not receive a document from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are now required to register with the U.S. government if their stay exceeds 30 days.

Under the new provision, all "aliens" 14 years of age or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting.

Parents and guardians must ensure that children under age 14 are registered, and within 30 days of reaching his or her 14th birthday, the previously registered child must apply for re-registration and to be fingerprinted.Failure to comply with the new requirements could result in criminal or civil penalties, the post reads.

The requirement is said to be part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and undocumented migrants, but a single line in a post about the registration on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website shows that Canadians are also part of the new rules.

Aliens who have not registered include “Canadian visitors who entered the U.S. at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration,” the requirements read.

Snowbird Association posts guidance

The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) has posted an advisory for its members on its website, addressing the new requirement.

“An electronic I-94 is automatically generated for travellers, upon being granted entry to the U.S., including for most Canadians. However, in some situations, an I-94 may not have been generated,” the CSA writes.

“Snowbirds are advised to check to see if they were issued an electronic I-94 upon entry to the United States.”

CSA members are being advised to check to see if they were issued an electronic I-94 upon entry (this can be done by visiting here). https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home

As per the association’s instructions, select “Get Most Recent I-94,” agree to the terms of service, then enter your traveller information.

If a I-94 appears, no further action required. “An electronic I-94 means you have already registered with the federal government,” says the CSA.

If an I-94 has not been found, snowbirds are advised to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

“At this time, the registration portal is not active. Once the registration process is implemented, travellers can submit their registration through a USCIS online account,” the CSTA notes.

The CSA adds that its representatives are currently working with Congressional representatives to amend this registration requirement and exempt Canadian travellers from having to register with USCIS.

Global Affairs in monitoring

Travel advice from the federal government for the U.S. says visitors can typically stay in the country for six months without a visa – although they must declare their intended duration of stay upon entry.

People who travel to the U.S. by air are typically issued a Form I-94 through pre-clearance while those admitted with a U.S. visa are exempt.

It is not clear whether people who have NEXUS clearance will be exempt.

A spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada told Global News that the Canadian government is aware of the new requirements and is monitoring the development, but added that each country decides who enters its borders.

“The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it will soon announce a form and process to complete the registration.

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