New Federal Rule Requires Canadians Staying Longer Than 30 Days To Register With DHS.
UPDATE 03-12-2025: The rule was just published in the federal register and there is a major change from what was expected: Canadian citizens do NOT need to be fingerprinted. Registration, however, is required.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Canadian citizens are being warned by attorneys in the United States that they may need to be fingerprinted. It’s part of a new federal rule that goes into effect on April 11th. The rule requires any Canadian citizen that spends more than 30 days in the United States to register with the Department of Homeland Security. The Canadian must also be fingerprinted. The rule will be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday. Here are key elements, according to Immigration Attorney Rosanna Berardi:
1. Most Canadians who drive across the border are NOT currently issued Form I-94 documents, meaning they lack proper registration documentation.
2. New Legal Obligation: Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30+ days (which includes virtually all snowbirds) must register and be fingerprinted.
3. Required Action: Canadians who have been in Florida for 30+ days will need to complete the new Form G-325R online at https://my.uscis.gov/ and attend a biometrics appointment.
4. Mandatory Documentation: After registration, snowbirds must carry their “Proof of Alien Registration” document at all times while in the United States – failure to do so is a criminal offense.
5. No Fee Currently: While registration is currently free, DHS is considering implementing a fee in the future.
6. Failure to Comply: a Canadian’s willful failure or refusal to apply to register or to be fingerprinted is punishable by: a fine of up to $5,000; imprisonment for up to six months or both.
Bernardi tells BocaNewsNow.com that 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.”
The USCIS portal is already active. The registration requirement starts on April 11th. Berardi says she is encouraging all Canadian visitors to the U.S. who are staying longer than 30 days — or already have stayed more than 30 days — to register now.
“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.
Berardi says she is not discouraging Canadian citizens from traveling to the United States for an extended period, however, she wants to ensure that all Canadian citizens understand the new rule in the United States.
Good for these cheap bastards that come with their uppity attitudes and leave $5 tips on $100 dollar tabs. They are the reason restaurants implemented service charges. Stay in your country.
Youve got your head in the sand! I live in a resort that has operated of 20 snowbirds. The Canadians are very friendly and very supportive of local economy.
Maybe if your service was better you might get better tips.
I’m sure many snowbirds will be happy to oblige. I hear Mexico is nice.
fyi – in Canada, unlike in the US, wait staff are paid minimum wage, so we tip less. Most Canucks are not aware of the low hourly wage paid in the US. Those of us who do know tip appropriately. And if you think service charges were implemented because of Canadians, you’re simply being an ignorant bigot. We had nothing to do with it.
Someone up North in Canada must have pissed off someone in the White house . Snowbirds bring a lot of money to the south .
Not sure i like what is hapening in USA curently.So all of sudden our Canadian friends who have passports now need more haresement.
We will have no allies left when this administration is through.
Big scary Canadians. Ooooohhhhhh. They’re gonna make us to eat salmon and be nice to each other?
Are Canadians the only that has to register? WHAT about all of the other foreign people that stay here longer than 30 days? Do they have to register?
All non-permanent Florida residents who are in Florida for more than 30 days will be required to purchase additional insurance for that time. I have noticed, as a driver, that most aggressive drivers have non-Florida license plates on their cars.
This is disgraceful. Canadians have always been welcome to this country, but Trump is working hard to turn them into our enemies. He is truly sick, perverted man, and we should be disgraced to have elected him. The only thing he is working hard to at is decimating a government, alienating our allies, and sidling up to the enemies of our country. This is yet another example of this.
These new immigration rules and tariffs are going to kill tourism and many businesses in the states and raise prices for all American citizens thru lost revenues and increased costs of essential goods currently being imported. I voted Republican but this new regulations are just another example of how out of touch our politicians on both sides of the isle with reality.
So much salt over this, like dogs in supermarkets and restaurants… but what do you expect when people from all over the world have abused our immigration and customs system? All foreigners have to be held to the same standard. These requirements are comparable to many other industrialized nations who also enforce their borders like Australia, Japan, and Switzerland.
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