US Plans Travel Regulations Impacting Canadians

U.S. travel regulations would require some Canadians to register for extended stays, according to an interim final rule.

Key Insights

The United States plans to implement a new requirement for Canadians visiting for more than 30 days and arriving by car, in a draft rule that would be effective from April 11.
Canadians would need to register with authorities, although a fingerprint requirement has been waived.
This rule would impact Canadian snowbirds, retirees who spend winters in the U.S.
The change would enforce an existing law that Canadian nationals were typically exempt from in practice.
Rising trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada accompany these regulations.

Registration and Fingerprint Mandate

An interim final rule expected to take effect April 11 would require Canadians planning to visit the United States for more than 30 days to register to stay compliant with U.S. laws if they are arriving by car. This development was shown in the federal register, revealing significant efforts to toughen the enforcement of regulations.

Created to bolster the enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these measures demand noncitizens over the age of 14 to register within 30 days of entering the United States. The individuals affected would need to set up an account with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to facilitate the process. An I-94 document also counts as registration. Travelers arriving by air automatically receive this document.

#BREAKING US hardens visitor registration rules for Canadians: federal register pic.twitter.com/cHwY2qUzA6

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 12, 2025

Implications for Canadian Snowbirds

The regulations would primarily impact Canadian snowbirds—retirees who escape harsh winters by staying in sunnier parts of the United States. With the registration requirements, these individuals would need to familiarize themselves with additional biographic data submissions and manage travel documents effectively. Moreover, noncitizens over 18 would have to carry proof of registration during their stay.

“The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws—we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce. We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated back in February.

Beyond Canadians, the policy reflects an all-encompassing enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, seeking comprehensive oversight of noncitizens within U.S. borders.

Trade Relations Amidst Policy Change

This development arises amid a backdrop of escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada, adding another layer to the evolving bilateral relations of the two neighboring nations. It highlights a new era of vigilance in U.S. immigration enforcements, affecting not only travelers but also the broader trade and diplomatic relations with Canada.