With pressure between the U.S. and Canada continuing, reports indicate some Canadian snowbirds may change their future plans and not visit the U.S. Now a new U.S. rule may cause even more to stay away. Effective April 11, 2025, Canadian citizens who visit the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with U.S. Homeland Security. The snowbird registration will soon be underway.
Many RVers will be hit with the snowbird registration rule
The rules were published in the Federal Register March 12, 2025. According to a U.S. immigration attorney, Rosanna Berardi, the rules will hit a lot of Canadian RVers. How so? Most Canadians who drive into the U.S. don’t have Form I-94 documents. Officially named the Arrival/Departure Record, it’s a document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to record the legal entry and departure of non-immigrants (non-citizens) into the United States, proving their legal status and specifying how long they can stay.
Now. according to the Immigration and Nationality Act, Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30+ days must register. Initial reports indicated they would also have to be fingerprinted, but the Federal Register filing doesn’t show a fingerprint requirement.
Canadian snowbirds who’ve been in the states for more than 30 days will now have to file a Form G-325R with U.S. Customs and Immigration. There is no fee for filing, but apparently the government is considering adding a fee.
Card-carrying Canadians—or else
With all of those hoops gone through, snowbirds will need to be careful to carry their U.S.-issued “Proof of Alien Registration” whenever they’re in the U.S. Get caught without it, and they could be charged with a criminal offense.
For those who take issue with these new requirements, think twice. Those who “willfully fail or refuse to apply to register” are open to nasty consequences: a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Regarding the snowbird registration rule, Attorney Berardi told a Florida news outlet, BocaNewsNow.com that “the rule is ‘real,’ but enforcement may simply be education—at least for a while.”
“While the law technically allows for fines up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment for failing to register, enforcement against Canadian visitors is likely to focus on education and compliance rather than penalties,” said Berardi. “It seems as if the statutory consequences exist primarily as a framework, with actual enforcement expected to take a more measured approach, particularly during the initial rollout phase. The absence of registration fees indicates DHS is prioritizing participation over punishment.”
Berardi also told the news outlet: “The digital registration form contains approximately 20 questions about personal information and immigration status. While individuals can choose to register now or wait until the requirement becomes mandatory, I’m concerned about elderly Canadian snowbirds who may face challenges navigating the online system without assistance.” The new snowbird registration rule may have unexpected fallout.
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##RVT1200b
I agree with Grumpyvet! Bias? This article basically is targeted at Snowbirds or Rv’s. While I know this is an Rv news outlet – there is more truth to told here. I wonder what the Canadian gov’t requires o US citizens staying over 30 days in Canada? Hmmm? I know every time I’ve been there – and that is in the hundreds…. I’ve been asked how long I plan to stay among other inquiries. Don’t even bring up making an appointment with the Canad border before leaving home – albeit during covid, We also had to register with the Canadian gov’t with our life story – wonder what file that is in!
…I would also venture this isn’t targeted at Canadians per se, but more to illegal immigration from illegals in Canada trying our northern border. Since the Premiere was not willing to fully cooperate with controlling illegal traffic into the US – this would be more control being exercised. Don’t misunderstand! I have Canadian relatives and friends and we get along great. This has nothing to do with personalities – it is gov’t policies and protections.
Right now you don’t have to do ANYTHING to enter Canada, other than to tell them how long you’ll be there (maximum 6 months). You can bet we’ll see that changing. Perhaps the U.S. should stop the flow of illegal guns into Canada? But you never hear about THAT…
Hi Val: I wish we could stop the flow of illegal guns into the United States! That would be a start. Does the 6 mo. stay in Canada apply to immigrants, without regard to how they got there? The Premier has said the country was open to all comers! Maybe the Premier should keep them all there!
‘Premier’? You are just proving your ignorance about Canada.
Unless they are referring to Doug Ford, perhaps?
Hi Sandy…. please enlighten me on the correct title At 88 the memory may be fading a little. Thanks!
That’s pretty harsh, Sandra.👎 Maybe off the top of his 88-year-old head, premier and prime minister were accidentally interchanged. Of course, I’m sure you never make any mistakes. Lighten up, try to be a little more understanding, and have a good day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Illegal guns FROM Canada? If we are worried at all about illegal guns, we can start with our own house. The cartels in Mexico don’t have to go as far as Canada to obtain their illegal weapons.
Illegal guns flowing from Canada? Can you site credible sources on this? There’s a big problem with the flow from the US to cartels in Mexico.
Hi Warren: I don’t believe I mentioned from whence the weapons are coming. I know a lot of them do make it into Canada as they are a gun free country (with some exceptions!). Our problems are with the southern border – the one which has been open to all comers for 4 years! Thanks for your comment however.
There is a reason sane Governments around the world have strict gun control…unlike the fools in this country.
Don’t like our 2nd Amendment, eh? Then try to remove it the right way. Or, I guess you could just move to a country more to your liking.
Yes, JB, the SANE Founding Fathers DID put in STRICT control of guns. “A well regulated militia” SAYS IT ALL!!!!
The FOOLS (gun worshipping NRA) are the ones that have made a mockery of the 2nd Amendment.
Wow Val! I don’t need any money, or a passport or pass card or a real drivers license or tell them why I am going to Canada – not subject to vehicle or personal search? – wow what a great place. Unfortunately that is not reality – I cross the border numerous times at Nois, Mn or Pembina, ND – and those border agents must not have gotten the word!
And here we were told for decades that Canada doesn’t have a gun problem. You’re saying now that Canada has a gun problem? But Guns are illegal in Canada so how can that be? I thought all the violent criminals politely turned in their guns when requested. Go figure.
Another ridiculous new Administration policy. Now Canada will require the same. Right now Canada doesn’t require ANYTHING, other than to answer a question about how long you’ll be there (maximum 6 months). Since I go back & forth between the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, I’m going to be caught in this crazy fight that the U.S. has picked with it’s closest ally.
If Canada implements the same thing then you could be correct about the increased scrutiny which seems like rather small inconvenience to know who is in our country FOR A CHANGE, unless of course you are one of those elderly travelers described in the article that can’t navigate a website. BTW, do you spend 30 days getting from the lower 48 to Alaska and if so, are you hitchhiking? Otherwise, this won’t apply to you.
I for one think that Canada and the USA should keep better track of who is in each of our countries. The white dude who attacked Paul Pelosi was an illegal Canadian, here for years and undocumented.
Happy trails 😎 ✌️
Cancelproof, so the guy who attacked Mr. Pelosi was an illegal Canadian. We’re talking about ONE person from Canada who committed a serious crime. ONE PERSON. Are you saying that because this one Canadian committed such a crime that other Canadians are likely to do something similar? Or is it just illegal Canadians? What point are you trying to make that makes this one isolated incident relevant to the larger discussion?
Very seldom does he make a rational statement.
Chuck,
Richard Colvin Reid was a British citizen whose singular actions require folks to remove their shoes at TSA even for citizens on domestic flights.
He was one person who attempted a single failed act.
One person from an Ally nation is why folks got stand in their socks with no gels allowed even if traveling domestically.
A plane full of people almost got blown up yet nobody proclaimed the reaction to be a slant on Britain so is registering for extended stay really a swipe at Canada?
I was simply using an example that everyone is familiar with in order to better illustrate that each country could benefit by keeping better track of who is in their respective countries. Seems like a pretty straight forward paragraph using an objective example of why this could be a good thing. I don’t actually think what I said is controversial at all and it in no way is demeaning of other Canadians, as you imply. I feel the same way about Sweden and Belarus. Good fences make good neighbors.
We don’t know how many Canadians committed serious crimes in America. The one that attacked Mr Pelosi got attention because of his wife’s position with our government. On the opposite end of the spectrum how many Americans committed serious crimes in Canada? Now we have one of Canada’s former citizens Elon Musk devastating America
I agree.
When we spent 39 days in Canada in 2023 we were required to provide an online Visit Notification 5 days prior to entering. So what is the big deal? There are no more open borders in the USA……
The site is ArriveCAN.
Define “FOR A CHANGE”.
Well Golly Gee Whiz JB, “for a change” in the context of my sentence could be referring to the 1,800 got aways per day for the last 4 years coming across our borders, mostly the southern but some on the northern.
BTW big fella, it is down to under 70 got aways per day this week. Pretty good for no new border laws needed huh?
JUST THE FACTS JB, same as always….glad to help you out.
Maybe it is from the gov’t staff cuts that less are caught?
Right, that’s gotta be it.
1-800-TDS-CURE
You truly need help WEB.
This requirement seems sort of trivial until you consider the impact at the border. We have family in Ontario and cross the Niagara Frontier quite often. The lines coming into the US are often long and time consuming. They can also be slow going into Canada. This paperwork will add one more bottleneck to crossing into the US and add to an already burdensome delay. As for stopping bad people crossing, it will have zero impact.
Not a bottleneck at the border….. Oh Noooo.
This could simply be a “hypothetical ” that you are fearful of. It could also add 5 whole minutes. Unknown for now but I guess the cup is 1/2 full choice is not for everyone.
This is a very common practice in many countries in the world that I have been to. I can’t begin to remember all of the various country customs & immigration forms I’ve completed.
There was only one I clearly remember… Singapore. It was the only form that had, in big bold red letters on top:
NOTICE TO ILLEGAL DRUG DEALERS: PENALTY IN SINGAPORE IS DEATH!
I loved my time in Singapore. You couldn’t tell the difference between public & private housing. No grafitti, no garbage on the streets. Safe to walk at night. The people are great.
Singapore is an orderly albeit homogeneous society.
Even a higher fee to get into Arizona and the other snowbird holes they infest.
If all our Canadian friends are smart (and most are a lot smarter than we) they will spend their vacation time & money in countries that appreciate them rather than this rapidly declining third world, to be, hate filled country.
Many of them go to Cuba.
That might simply be because the system more closely aligns with the Canadian system of government. Tough to get the RV to Cuba tho.
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! Well, this reminds me to keep an eye on Canada’s requirements for crossing its border so that we reach Alaska this summer. Have a great day and safe travels!
Jason Epperson at RV Miles covered this the other day…don’t think it’s as bad as it sounds. https://youtu.be/Ytl5VHLoNuM?si=zc0PdNmlk296ATcg
I’m 100% for border security but I’m pretty sure those with nefarious intentions will not register their acknowledgment to stay longer than 30 days so that part’s a mute point.
Conversely, if a disaster struck and the Canadian embassy tries to determine how many of their citizens *could* be affected, registering long term stay isn’t a bad idea. Fingerprints to identify casualties isn’t a bad idea either. Knowing someone has *probably* not returned home helps first responders.
TSA every single time at the airport is an inconvenience, registering extended stay in a neighboring country seems pretty insignificant of an encroachment.
When I retired I visited my cousin in Australia who was the daughter of an American solder killed in Action in WW II. Daughter to a Australian girl he married. I had to get a Visa to visit Australia. Was very easy to get and done by AAA. If Canadians have to do it, it should be easy and simple. When I visited Germany and years back for their Christkindl markets I don’t remember having to get a visa for either.
When we visited Canada for 39 days in 2023 we had to submit our online visit request 5 days in advance of our entering and went through the third degree once we “checked” in. So all this about Canadians visiting the US having to “register” should be no big deal. If they decide to stay in the frozen tundra in the winter so be it. Open borders into the US is over.
The online site is ArriveCAN.
I had to use ArriveCAN in 2021 when visiting Canada in my RV. It has since been phased out for ground transportation, though it can be used for customs declarations on air transportation rather than the paper form handed out on the airplane.
In 2023, I spent two months (60 days) in Canada on a slow roll to Alaska. Told them at the border my plans and there were no issues. I completed no paperwork and simply showed them my passport, DL, and my dog’s rabies certificate
This illustrates the current problem in the US. Persons fabricate information or use outdated information that suits the predetermined narrative.
Fabrication????? Stop hiding your head in your hate.
Do US citizens need to fill out ArriveCAN?
All travelers entering Canada by air, rail, road, or marine vessel, must provide their travel information through ArriveCAN. Only individuals with accessibility needs, asylum seekers, and refugees are exempt from using ArriveCAN.Sep 29, 2022
You’re just wrong Bud. I was in Canada 8 months ago and ArriveCan was alive and well. Maybe your’s is the fabrication?
Hmm, Trump wants Canada to become 51st state. Implements massive tariffs against Canadian goods and states that if you join us, all this will go away. Now he wants you to carry your papers with you at all times or face fines and/or imprisonment. Seems eerily reminiscent of the 30s in central Europe to me. Guess it is just my imagination.
Yes your imagination is going wild¡ chicken little.
A look inward at Canada’s criminalization of free speech would be a better place to start.
Prove Canada criminalization free speech? Be specific with case law, arrests and convictions please.
elbows up🇨🇦
He has no idea. USA is the one starting to go after the free press. They literally sit there on the mic spewing lies (cats and dogs; 150 year olds receiving payments) and triple down on them. So embarrassing for us and even worse that people believe it.
Ummmm, does the trucker protest ring a bell? Frozen bank accounts over speech violations ring a bell? I mean, protests here are considered free speech.
You lose again Cooper. Over and over and over, losing and losing and losing. Elbows can’t defeat facts Cooper. All this winning is exhausting. I didn’t even need to go to a law library like you suggested for “case law”…. all I had to do was deliver some objective reality based on the lived experience of truckers and rely on having seen it with my own eyes.
Yawwwwwwn.
What a sad, sad state America has become.
No, Ron, it’s about protecting our borders. The U.S. has been the lapdog to the world, including Canada, for too long.
Agree. This is ludicrous and our country is a complete nightmare.
People need to wake up before another repub caused crash occurs. Just privatize. Trust us. Crash. While they steal all our money
The amendments have begun to filter out…. “non-immigrant” Canadians are now exempt. Canadians enrolled in Trusted Traveler programs are also exempt.
This has nothing to do with the article, but I’m wondering why the ‘thumbs up’ and thumbs down’ cancel out each other. Why not just keep each going. I tried a thumbs down on a comment with 3 down already and it changes it to 2 down. Something is strange with the voting here.
Yeah. I just did a couple. You are 100% correct. A very misleading tally is displayed.
Hi, Carol. That’s just the way this program is set up. If someone votes thumbs up and someone votes thumbs down, they do cancel each other out. If someone (or more than one person) is voting at the same time you are, it will look odd in the total. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
So, who’s going where? When a Canadian enters the U.S., or vice versa, their passport is scanned. That goes into databases that both the Canadian and U.S. officials have access to. Each country, by virtue of that action, knows when you enter and when you leave. One downside from the Canadian perspective, is that say you did something stupid like getting an impaired driving charge when you were 17 years old. You now have a criminal record in Canada. So at the retirement age of 65, you’d like to go to the U.S. You’ve been a good citizen for the last 48 years and a few years ago applied for a pardon. Your Canadian record is expunged and it is no longer in the Canadian database. However, ….
the U.S. does not remove it from the U.S. data banks. You may well, and quite probably will, be refused entry to the U.S. It’s a very similar scenario for a U.S. citizen coming to Canada. For Canadians going south, they can ask the U.S. for an exemption but that takes months to acquire and costs hundreds of dollars. The biggest mistake you can make is to not declare EVERY incident in your past when asked by the U.S. authorities. They know more than you think.
Convicted felons like President Trump cannot enter Canada, but they can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or criminal rehabilitation.
Show me the statistics to prove the USA is will be safer from implementing these procedures. Snowbirds for years have always travelled without registration. What’s changed…..President Trump.
Friends don’t treat friends this way.
Elbows up🇨🇦
You’re kind of making the point for the opposite side you wish to Cooper. For the last 4 years, criminals including violent felons were allowed free access to America along with a free ride on the taxpayers dime. We see what that got us so we changed course and it will impact the law abiding with some minor inconvenience.
We have enough people on welfare in the USA that subsidizing the entire country of Canada must end. Sorry Cooper, pay your fair share to NATO and start worrying more about your knees, than your elbows.
Please provide details that violent felons and criminals are allowed free access to America from Canada. Not the southern border.
Please provide specific details that the USA is subsidizing Canada.
President Musk wants to get out of NATO so there is no need to subsidize.
ELBOWS UP🇨🇦
friends don’t treat friends this way
It would be a good idea for you to work on your own country, your own government is robbing, cheating an stealing from you. Wakeup ,look at your own paycheck an ask where is the money ,we have found our money an now we are going to get it back.CANA people are great people an deserve to be treated right by there own government. FYI
I wish the USA would first work on their own country’s issues instead of declaring war ( economic) on your neighbor the closest ally.
there are no winners in this economic war.
god help the USA
elbows up🇨🇦
friends don’t treat friends this way.
Grab a box Scotties Cooper.
I would buy a box of Scottie’s as long as they’re made in Canada.
Elbows up🇨🇦
friends don’t treat friends this way.
I’m Not going to do your research for you Cooper. Get informed or not, none of my business. Live in your insulated bubble or not, I don’t really care. Many people go through their entire lives being under informed or misinformed and its OK. Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
Happy trails. ✌️😎
As I thought. No facts to prove your rhetoric.
Elbows up🇨🇦
friends don’t treat friends this way.
What, are you 10?
Oh yeah, prove it!
I know you are, but what am I?
Told ya so.
Elbows up. Naanaanaa.
Pay your fair share. Easy request, freeloading is what’s not neighborly. Don’t be a welfare burden too us any longer. Create your own economy and market place if you don’t want access to ours any longer.
Elbows up🇨🇦
OMG that’s funny. Elbows up works for lots of things, not this. Kinda like trying it on hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes. LOL….. Go get em Cooper. Elbows up. 🤣😂🤣😂 your head is gonna be underwater but those Elbows will be poking out. Next you’ll be asking Ukraine to help out 🤣😂🤣😂. Maybe CUBA can put in a good word for you 🤣😂🤣😂. No tarrifs on Hockey Pucks, how about that? 🤣😂🤣😂
Elbows up🇨🇦
Thumbs down👎
Unnecessary and ridiculous. Starting a fight with Canada,and the crazy idea that we are taking them over..! They have been so good to us…
How exactly have they been so good to us?
Growing up in Canada, we would often talk about how safe and secure we felt during the Cold War having the US for a next door neighbor. We knew that the strength of our neighbor was what kept us free. We were greatful for the trillions of dollars that America invested into the military which meant we did not have to invest much at all and we could thrive we love and appreciation for America.
Now the Cold War is over but other threats remain and Canada just wants to coast like the world has no enemies. Pay your fair share 🇨🇦, thru tarrifs or NATO. That’s all we request.
Canada is not safe now. The real threat is from President Trump.
A friend betrayed is your worst enemy.
President Musk will pull the USA out of NATO.
Canada is not for sale.
Elbows up🇨🇦
You are correct. Trump is a threat to Canada’s freeloading. He is a threat to censorship in Canada. He is a threat to the Canadian Healthcare system on the backs of Americans.
He is definitely threat to Canada’s Social Welfare System funded by American generosity under the EU loving Carney and Trudeau. Maybe you should vote in the Euro for a fresh new currency. What could go wrong with that? Gas is already $7.50/gallon, your beer is $49.00/case and a $6.00/btl of wine costs $22.50. Goin pretty good huh?
Elbows Up🇨🇦
Wow! You really don’t like us (Canadians),do you? I don’t know how else to interpret your comments, although I agree, always have, that Canada needs to invest more in our national defence.
Love Canada. Love Canadians. Travel there every year. Born and raised in Saskatchewan. Family still in Canada. Did a contract with the Patricia’s. Great and beautiful country. It is the policies of the Liberal Party that I have an issue with, and mostly on trade alone.
Happy trails Don. 😎✌️🇺🇲🇨🇦
Staying in your frozen tundra is the right thing to do. There are no more open borders around the USA. You now have to spend 10 minutes complying with our immigration laws. Just like we had to do with your ArriveCAN registration!!!!
From a very proud Canadian and good friend to Americans …Thank you …your comments are truly appreciated.
Elbows up🇨🇦
Wow. As a proud Canadian, I have made my feelings known on this newsletter a little too often.
I will not need to comply with this registration as my trips to the Southwest have stopped for the next several winters. I will miss the great American people I have met along the way for the last several Snowbird trips.
Stay safe.🇨🇦
Swinging doors have consequences…eh?
I feel so much safer now that those Canadians must register with our federal government while visiting. After all…blah, blah, blah. Our neighbors and best friends shouldn’t be treated this way.
Best friends 😄 🤣 give me a break, besties don’t rip their friends off.
Well, looking on the bright side, perhaps if some Canadians don’t want the bother and stay at home or go elsewhere during the winter, there might be some RV sites available for Americans who want to go to Florida for a bit in the winter. However, I don’t think the new rules are particularly onerous.
All this whining about a simple 2 minute form with no fee. @@
Canadians should feel lucky to even visit our great country.
They have no gratitude for our generosity. We even invited them to join us as the 51st state and they declined. That’s on them.
It is your Country that is great; NOT YOUR CURRENT PRESIDENT!!
We stand by our President, if you don’t like him please stay on your side.
Hi, Donny. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No one should be put down by someone else because they have a different opinion. To me that seems intolerant and narrow-minded. Like Rodney King said [paraphrased]: “Can’t we all just get along?” Or at least “agree to disagree,” without slamming others with different opinions in the process. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you for making us Canadians feel welcome to the USA. Do your comments reflect the majority of Americans? I hope not.
Be kind and elbows up.
cooper 🇨🇦
Fake News!
The summery of the Federal Register states the following:
“”DHS is amending existing regulations to make available another method for aliens to comply with the alien registration requirements of the INA. The rule seeks to better ensure that all aliens in the United States comply with such requirements. The rule does not impose any new registration or fingerprinting obligations separate from the obligations already contained in the INA.”
Good going, Chuck
Registering our neighbors and friends…terrible.