What you need to know about the new U.S. border rule

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Global Affairs Canada has updated its official travel advice for the United States to reflect a new registration requirement for Canadians planning extended stays. As of April 11, 2025, U.S. authorities will require all foreign nationals visiting for longer than 30 days to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The rule follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January 2025, “Protecting the American People against Invasion,” which directed federal agencies to enforce registration requirements for non-citizens. The change could affect Canadians who spend extended periods in the U.S., including snowbirds, retirees, remote workers and frequent cross-border travellers.

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“Canada is the No. 1 source of foreign visitors to the United States,” said Clémence Grevey, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada. “Every day, tens of thousands of Canadians enter the U.S. by land, by air and by sea.”

The updated advisory does not raise the travel risk level from “take normal security precautions” but adds guidance for long-term visitors. The rule applies to travellers aged 14 and older who haven’t already gone through a registration and fingerprinting process during a past U.S. visa application. Canadians entering under a work visa or another nonimmigrant category who were issued an I-94 are generally considered registered and may be exempt from this new step.

Electronic I-94s are issued automatically at airports, seaports and land borders as of March 2025, but a separate USCIS registration is required for stays of more than 30 days. According to the advisory, “failure to comply could result in penalties, fines or misdemeanour prosecution.”

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The change comes amid reports of foreign nationals, including a Canadian, being detained or turned away at the U.S. border despite holding valid travel documents. Canadian citizen Jasmine Mooney was detained for nearly two weeks earlier this month after attempting to re-enter the U.S. under a NAFTA professional visa. She has since described the experience, saying she was not initially given access to a lawyer and was held under restrictive conditions in two separate immigration detention centres.

Other countries have issued similar advisories in recent weeks. Germany cautions that a visa or ESTA is not a guarantee of entry, while the U.K. warns travellers may be arrested or detained if they violate entry rules. France, Finland and Norway have flagged risks for transgender and nonbinary travellers due to binary gender requirements in U.S. immigration documents.

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Grevey said Canada’s travel advisory was updated “in consultation with the Canadian Embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the foreign destination,” along with internal teams at Global Affairs Canada. The department monitors global safety and entry requirements using information from diplomatic missions, international partners, local authorities and open-source media.

Travellers are encouraged to consult the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for entry rules and to sign up for Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive updates. Canadians requiring consular help in the U.S. can call 1-844-880-6519 or contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at 1-888-949-9993 or sos@international.gc.ca.

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What is the new registration requirement?

Canadians staying in the U.S. for longer than 30 days must register online with USCIS by submitting Form G-325R through a USCIS account. The form is only accepted electronically (paper submissions and in-person filing aren’t allowed) and must be completed before the 30-day mark.

Once registered, USCIS will issue a confirmation notice, which travellers aged 18 and over are required to print and carry with them while in the U.S. Not having it on hand could result in a misdemeanour charge, with possible penalties including a fine of up to $5,000 or up to 30 days in jail.

Children who turn 14 while in the U.S. are required to register within 30 days of their birthday unless they are U.S. citizens. Canadian citizens are exempt from providing fingerprints as part of the registration process.

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Not all travellers need to register under the new rule. Exemptions apply to:

• U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders)

• Canadians who entered the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa category (i.e. H-1B, L-1 or TN) and were issued an I-94, even if their stay has technically expired

• Canadians who have previously been issued a U.S. visa through a consulate or embassy

What else might border officers ask about?

Customs officials may ask travellers to provide a U.S. address during their stay, including in territories such as Puerto Rico. Officers may also request:

• Evidence of residential, employment or educational ties to Canada
• Proof that the trip is for a legitimate purpose and of a reasonable duration
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the visit

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What about dual citizens?

U.S. authorities do not formally require dual nationals to carry both a U.S. and a Canadian passport. However, carrying both documents may help facilitate entry into the U.S. and return to Canada.

Do Canadians need a visa to enter the U.S.?

Canadian citizens can usually stay in the U.S. for up to six months without a visa. The intended length of stay must be declared upon entry. In most cases, Canadians do not need visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the U.S. from Canada, but exceptions apply.

What about Canadian permanent residents?

Canadian permanent residents may need a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S. They must apply through U.S. authorities before travel and carry a valid passport from their country of citizenship.

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