U.S. registration rule for trips 30 days or longer starts today

Canadians who take longer trips to the United States have new rules to follow.

Starting today (April 11), any foreign national who wants to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must register with the U.S. government or face penalties, including fines and potential prosecution.

The draft rule stems from a Jan. 20 executive order, and as per a March 12 update, Canadians heading to the U.S for a longer period will need to apply for registration (but not undergo fingerprinting, as initially reported).

The changes come as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats jeopardize both the U.S. and Canada's economies.

The policy change will impact Canadian snowbirds who spend long periods of time in the U.S.

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

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 looped into the policy.

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.” This can be done by visiting here.

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