Key Takeaways
• Starting April 11, 2025, Canadians in U.S. over 30 days must register with USCIS online using Form G-325R.
• Non-compliance can result in fines up to $5,000 or six months’ jail and future U.S. entry bans.
• Canadians with an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record may already be registered and exempt from repeating the process.
Canadians who plan to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for 30 days or longer will soon face a new requirement: as of April 11, 2025, they must register with the U.S. government. This move comes after President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, aiming to enforce parts of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that before now were not always followed for Canadians 🇨🇦. The steps for this registration process, and the possible effects on both sides of the border, are raising many questions for travelers, families, and government officials alike.
What Is Changing and Why?
Starting April 11, 2025, Canadians 🇨🇦 who visit the United States 🇺🇸 for longer than 30 days will need to complete a registration process. This requirement comes from a policy President Trump put in place to make sure the United States 🇺🇸 is following its existing immigration rules more closely.
The policy comes after years of inconsistent enforcement. Even though the laws have been there for decades, Canadians 🇨🇦 could often stay for months without having to register. Now, the U.S. government wants to be certain that all long-term visitors, including Canadians 🇨🇦, have their details on file.
What Do Canadians Need To Do?
The main step is the registration process. Canadians 🇨🇦 who plan on being in the United States 🇺🇸 for 30 days or longer must create an online account with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Through this account, they have to submit Form G-325R, which collects basic biographic information such as name, date of birth, and contact details. This form is not new, but it is now required for many Canadians 🇨🇦 for the first time.
Parents or legal guardians will be responsible for registering any children under 14 years of age. This means if you are traveling as a family and will stay over 30 days, you must make sure each child is registered as well.
The official U.S. embassy page offers more details about this new policy, including step-by-step guides to the registration process.
Exemptions and Existing Records
Not every Canadian 🇨🇦 will need to go through the registration process from scratch. If you enter the United States 🇺🇸 through a land border and receive an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, you may already be registered. The I-94 form is usually given when someone enters the United States 🇺🇸 for longer stays or special purposes, and it keeps track of the traveler’s arrival and expected departure.
If you do not receive an I-94 record when you cross the border, you must complete the online registration process with USCIS separately. This can be confusing, so travelers are strongly encouraged to check their I-94 status using the official website when planning any extended trips.
Penalties for Not Registering
There are serious penalties for ignoring this rule. If a Canadian 🇨🇦 stays in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than 30 days without registering, they can face a fine of up to $5,000 or even jail time for up to six months. These penalties are listed in both the executive order and in the guidelines provided to border officers.
Many Canadians 🇨🇦, especially those used to “snowbird” lifestyles, may not yet realize the risks. Breaking this rule could mean a criminal record, big fines, or even being banned from entering the United States 🇺🇸 in the future.
Why This Matters for Canadians: Snowbirds, Students, and Families
This change may seem like a small paperwork step, but for many Canadians 🇨🇦, it can have a big impact. Each winter, about one million Canadians 🇨🇦 – often called snowbirds – spend extended periods in warm American states like Florida. People go to escape harsh winters, visit family, or even get medical care. Under the new rule, these snowbirds must register if they stay more than 30 days, or risk facing penalties.
The Canadian Snowbird Association is currently speaking out about the new registration process, asking for an exemption for its members. The group argues that the policy will be hard on seniors and create stress and confusion. According to their statements shared by Canadian media, the group is pressing both governments to find a middle ground that will not disrupt long-standing travel traditions.
Families with children may also find things more complicated. If a child is registered incorrectly, that could cause problems for parents. For example, if a family forgets to register a young child for a stay over 30 days, border authorities may not grant entry on future trips.
Students from Canada 🇨🇦 who want to study in the United States 🇺🇸 for a semester or more must also follow this new process, even if they have followed every other visa step. This rule covers all Canadians 🇨🇦, no matter their age or reason for staying.
How Will This Affect Travel Between Canada and the United States?
Changes like this always raise questions and sometimes concerns. As reported by VisaVerge.com, people worry this policy might make it harder for Canadians 🇨🇦 to visit the United States 🇺🇸 for long periods. Some families may change their travel plans to stay under the 30-day limit, while others may decide to stay home altogether to avoid the extra paperwork.
Others believe the rule could slow down border crossings. If officers have to check more forms and ask more questions, lines might become longer, especially during busy travel seasons. The U.S. government says the online registration process is meant to make everything faster, but it is not clear yet if that will actually happen.
Local businesses in states like Florida depend on Canadians 🇨🇦 who come for months at a time. These visitors spend money on homes, groceries, restaurants, and more. If even a small number decide not to come, that could hurt local economies.
Differing Views and Early Reactions
Not everyone agrees with the new policy. Supporters, including some U.S. officials, say it is a simple way to improve security and keep better track of who is staying in the country for long periods. They point out that many other countries already require such registration.
On the other side, groups like the Canadian Snowbird Association and some members of Parliament in Ottawa 🇨🇦 argue that the new rule is unnecessary. They point out that Canadians 🇨🇦 are already well-documented travelers and that the border has been safe and easy to cross for generations. Critics warn of extra bureaucracy and possible mistakes that could trap long-term visitors in red tape.
Students and working professionals share similar concerns. Many young people from Canada 🇨🇦 come to the United States 🇺🇸 for internships or study programs. Having another registration process might mean added stress, especially if forms or online systems do not work as promised.
Steps to Complete the Registration Process
The process might sound tricky, but it breaks down into a few steps. Here is what Canadians 🇨🇦 must do if they expect to be in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than 30 days:
- Visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
- Create a USCIS online account using your email address.
- Fill out and submit Form G-325R, which asks for basic information like name, address, and other biographical details.
- If you are registering for a child under 14, parents or guardians must submit the form for them.
- Keep a copy of your registration confirmation in case you are asked for proof when in the United States 🇺🇸.
If you are unsure whether you need to register, check if you received an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record at the border. If you have this record, you may already be registered. Travelers should double-check this status before their 31st day in the country.
What Forms Are Required and Where Do I Find Them?
The key form that must be filed is Form G-325R. This form collects your main personal details and travel plans. You can find Form G-325R and all related instructions on the official USCIS website. Following the directions step by step helps avoid mistakes that could cause problems later on.
Possible Penalties and How to Avoid Them
The most important thing to remember is that not registering can have serious results. If a Canadian 🇨🇦 visitor breaks the rule, they could face:
- Fines up to $5,000 (U.S. dollars)
- Jail time up to 6 months
- Problems with future U.S. entry, including possible bans
These penalties apply even if you simply forget to fill out the form, so it is very important for Canadians 🇨🇦 to keep track of their status.
Broader Context: Immigration Law and Policy
This move is part of a bigger trend in U.S. immigration law. President Trump, known for making strict immigration policies in the past, has now turned his focus to Canadians 🇨🇦, who were often given lighter treatment. The decision to apply the same standards to Canadians 🇨🇦 as to other nationalities signals a desire for consistency and stronger border control.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has always allowed such registration, but enforcement was not consistent. Now, officials say that treating all visitors equally is better for the U.S. legal system.
How Canadians Can Prepare
Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead. Before you book your trip, decide exactly how many days you will spend in the United States 🇺🇸. If you are close to the 30-day limit, keep careful records of your arrival and planned departure dates. Parents should make sure all children’s documents are complete.
Speak with border officials if you have any questions or are unsure which forms apply. It is better to ask first than to risk making a mistake.
What’s Next for Canadians and the U.S. government?
For now, this rule will continue unless either government makes changes. The Canadian Snowbird Association has promised to keep pushing for an exemption, and there may be talks between the two governments to make the rules clearer or more flexible for certain groups.
However, unless changes are announced, all Canadians 🇨🇦 who spend more than 30 days in the United States 🇺🇸 must follow the new registration process. If you are a frequent traveler, keep checking official sources, such as the U.S. embassy page, for the latest news.
Summary and Final Advice
Starting April 11, 2025, Canadians 🇨🇦 who want to spend over 30 days in the United States 🇺🇸 must register with the U.S. government by creating a USCIS account and submitting Form G-325R online. Some travelers, like those who get an I-94 record at the border, may already be registered, but everyone else needs to take action.
Ignoring this rule can lead to heavy fines, jail time, or trouble with future trips. Groups such as the Canadian Snowbird Association are working to make things easier, but for now, all travelers must follow the process.
To avoid problems, check your status before your trip, complete the registration process on time, and keep all your records. If you have questions, use official websites and talk to border officials.
These changes highlight how closely Canadian 🇨🇦 and American 🇺🇸 travel are linked, and how quickly rules can shift. Staying informed will help you keep your travels safe and smooth under these new policies.
Learn Today
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency handling immigration forms, registration, and related services in the U.S.
Form G-325R → An online document collecting biographic information from Canadians required to register if staying in the U.S. over 30 days.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record → A form given at land borders tracking travelers’ entry and departure, sometimes exempting Canadians from new online registration.
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) → A foundational U.S. law governing immigration, registration, and enforcement for all foreign visitors, including Canadians.
Canadian Snowbird Association → An organization representing Canadians who spend extended winter periods in the United States, advocating for members’ travel rights.
This Article in a Nutshell
From April 11, 2025, Canadians staying over 30 days in the United States must register online with USCIS. This new rule aims to enforce existing immigration law. Not registering risks heavy fines and jail time. Early planning, careful documentation, and checking official resources are vital for smooth, penalty-free U.S. travel.
— By VisaVerge.com
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