Under updated U.S. entry procedures, Canadian visitors staying in the United States for more than 30 consecutive days must register electronically with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States Government. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution.
The INA requires that, with limited exceptions, all aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting.
The New Mandatory 30-Day Registration Rule (Effective April 11, 2025) Under the new DHS rule, any Canadian citizen staying in the United States for 30 days or longer must register with U.S. immigration authorities—either through an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or by filing Form G-325R within 30 days of arrival.
There are penalties for those caught overstaying their visit. They can be barred from returning to the U.S. for three years, and those who overstay for longer than a year face a 10-year ban.
Canadian visitors are generally granted a stay in the U.S. for up to six months at the time of entry. Requests to extend or adjust a stay must be made prior to expiry to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service .
Aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting.
New U.S. Registration Rules for Canadian Snowbirds: What You Need to Know. As of April 11, 2025, Canadians who stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register their presence with U.S. immigration authorities.
To remain eligible for your Canadian provincial/territorial government health insurance, you cannot travel outside your province/territory of residence for a total of more than 7 months (212 days) within a year, or 6 months (183 days) if you live in Quebec, PEI or Nunavut. This includes travel within Canada.
US entry and visa regulations for Canadian citizens
Most Canadians buying US property can stay up to six months per year as visitors, but longer stays or work arrangements may require a specific visa. Consulting an immigration lawyer can help clarify your options and ensure you remain compliant with US entry laws.
To immigrate to the US from Canada, you must apply for either an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa. An immigrant visa allows you to move permanently to the US and is typically sponsored by an employer, a US citizen spouse, or a relative. A nonimmigrant visa is for those moving temporarily to the US for school or a job.
Whether you were born an American citizen or became one through naturalization, if you have dual citizenship, you: Owe allegiance to both the U.S. and a foreign country. Must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the U.S. Do not have to choose one nationality over the other.
As some Canadians head south for the winter, many are learning about an updated U.S. border rule. Anyone planning to stay longer than 29 days now needs to register for an I-94, a form that records entry into the country.
New U.S. Biometric Entry/Exit Rule
However, if you spend 183 days or more in the U.S. during a calendar year, you may be considered a U.S. resident for income tax purposes even if you don't have legal residence status (green card) or American citizenship. This could create significant tax implications, which include the following.
While tens of thousands of Canadian winter escapees are in fact abandoning American sunbelt destinations this season, “hundreds of thousands” are still travelling south, according to a letters and concerns column in the latest winter issue of the Canadian Snowbirds Association's news magazine.
Receiving your payments while living outside Canada
You can receive OAS payments while living abroad if: You lived in Canada for at least 20 years after turning 18. You lived and worked in a country with a social security agreement with Canada, and your combined time in both countries is at least 20 years.
If an individual, who, as a matter of fact, is considered not a resident of Canada, sojourns (i.e. is temporarily resident) in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, the individual is deemed to be resident in Canada for that entire year.
Therefore, provided you have severed primary residential ties to Canada, it is possible to maintain certain secondary ties to Canada such as maintaining a bank account, investment account or credit card. The date you become a resident of the new country you are immigrating to.
Rising costs are forcing snowbirds to sell
The weak Canadian dollar, now hovering around US$0.69, has significantly reduced buying power for snowbirds. In addition, skyrocketing property insurance rates — driven by severe storms and hurricanes — have made homeownership unsustainable for many.
If the total number of days calculates out to 183 days or more, you will normally have a US tax filing obligation. This can catch some snowbirds off-guard. Under these rules, it is entirely possible to become a US tax resident while spending less than 183 days in the US in any given year.
If you are a Canadian with dual citizenship, you need to carry a valid Canadian passport to return to Canada by air. This applies even if: the country or countries you're travelling from require you to carry your other passport. you're only passing through.
What snowbirds should do now
Essentially, filing Form 8840 allows Canadian snowbirds to stay in the U.S. for up to 182 days every year without being considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes (assuming you meet the criteria and file on time).
By land and sea (including ferries) - Canadian citizens traveling to the United States by land or sea are required to present one of the travel documents listed below, and may generally visit the United States for up to six months.