Canada updates travel advisories for U.S. & China amid frictions

Canadians now face updated travel advisories for the world’s two largest economies.

Ottawa, on March 21, began warning travellers who stay in the United States for more than 30 days to make sure they register as required.

“Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution,” reads a new notice posted by the Government of Canada on its travel advice page.

Canadians are being directed to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to determine if they need to register with USCIS. Travellers can verify if they have been automatically registered on entry to the U.S. by looking up their I-94 admission form on the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) website.

READ MORE: Canadian Snowbirds caught up in new U.S. travel rule

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

The policy applies to anyone who isn’t a permanent U.S. resident.

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 (however, as previously reported, Canadians are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement).

READ MORE: Cross-border trips to U.S. reach 500,000 fewer travellers in February: CBP

The draft rule, which impacts long-stay visitors like Canadian snowbirds, is expected to take effect on April 11.

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

Ottawa's updated travel advice comes as many Canadians change their travel plans, and boycott the United States, in response to Trump’s tariff threats against Canada, including his suggestions that it become the 51st state.

Updated advice for China

Canada has also updated its travel advisory for China following reports of four Canadian nationals being executed in the country earlier this year.

The updated travel advice warns that Canadians should exercise "a high degree of caution" in China.

The notice particularly applies to people with dual citizenships, who may be denied access to Canadian consular services if they entered the country on a Chinese passport or identity card. (China does not recognize dual citizenship).

“If you are a dual citizen, you should always travel using your valid Canadian passport and present yourself as Canadian to Chinese authorities,” Ottawa advises.  

"Our ability to provide consular assistance in China is limited due to the level of transparency in China's judicial system," the notice also reads. "It may also impact your ability to obtain effective legal assistance."

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said last week that the four Canadians who were executed in China were dual citizens and, according to Chinese authorities, faced drug and other criminal charges.

Canada has condemned the executions, saying the death penalty "is irreversible and inconsistent with basic human dignity."

The Canadian government’s advisory for China also warns that non-violent acts such as financial crimes may incur "severe punishment" in the country, adding that travellers may also face an exit ban if they are linked to people "in any open civil or criminal investigations, including business disputes."

Affected travellers may not realize an exit ban has been placed on them until they go through Chinese customs and immigration controls when trying to leave China, Ottawa says.

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