Canadians exempted from fingerprinting for U.S. visits beyond 30 days

Canadians travelling to the U.S. will be exempt from new fingerprinting rules imposed on all other foreign nationals, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The draft rule, which stems from a Jan. 20 executive order, is expected to take effect on April 11.

All foreign nationals who want to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer will soon have to apply for registration and fingerprinting with the DHS, PAX previously reported.

The DHS's interim final rule, published in the federal registrar, says that while Canadians still need to register, they will not have submit their fingerprints.

The registration policy directly impacts Canadian snowbirds, who spend long periods of time in the U.S. Historically, Canadians have enjoyed visa exemption and verbal inspection at land borders to the U.S. without formal documentation.

Now, 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.

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.

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.

A statement from the White House published on Jan. 20 says that people who violate immigration laws stand to face civil and criminal penalties, such as fines and prosecution.

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