Last updated: May 2026. This post has been updated to reflect on-the-ground enforcement developments, including reports of Canadians being fingerprinted at land border crossings despite the official exemption.
Executive Order 14159 and Its Impact on Canadian Snowbirds
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14159, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The order directed the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the requirement for foreign nationals to register with the US government, as outlined in Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It also designated failure to comply as a priority for both civil and criminal enforcement.
As a result, the US began enforcing alien registration requirements for foreign nationals staying in the country for 30 days or more, effective April 11, 2025. This has significant implications for Canadian snowbirds who spend extended periods south of the border every winter. Understanding these rules, and how they are actually being applied in practice, is essential to staying compliant and avoiding penalties.
What Are the Alien Registration Rules?
Under Executive Order 14159, foreign nationals who stay in the US for 30 days or more are required to be registered with US immigration authorities. This is not a new law — the registration requirement has existed in US immigration law since 1940 — but it was rarely enforced consistently for Canadians crossing by land prior to 2025. That has changed.
For most Canadians, registration is already satisfied automatically through Form I-94, the electronic arrival record issued by US Customs and Border Protection. For those who were not issued an I-94 (most commonly Canadians who crossed by land) a separate registration process through Form G-325R may be required.
Requirements for Canadian Visitors
Canadian citizens may still enter the United States visa-free for stays of up to six months. However, Canadians who plan to remain in the US for more than 30 consecutive days must now ensure they have valid registration with US immigration authorities.
Here is how to determine your status:
Check your I-94 first. Go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov, select “Get most recent I-94/I-95,” and enter your passport details. Under 8 CFR 264.1(b), a valid electronic I-94 counts as evidence of registration. If you have one, you are registered and no further steps are required.
If your I-94 is active: No further action needed. You are registered.
If you have no I-94 and plan to stay less than 30 days: No registration required, provided you leave before the 30-day mark.
If you have no I-94 and plan to stay 30 days or more: You are required to register by completing Form G-325R through the myUSCIS online portal within 30 days of your entry date. There is no fee to file Form G-325R.
Note that Form G-325R registration is valid for a single trip only. If you leave the US and re-enter, your previous registration does not carry over. Check your I-94 status again after each re-entry and file a new G-325R if needed.
Do Canadian Visitors to the US Now Need to Submit Fingerprints?
The official position of USCIS is that Canadian citizens are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement as part of the G-325R registration process. This exemption is clearly spelled out in the Federal Register: “Canadian nonimmigrants and aliens under the age of 14 […] for whom the fingerprint requirement is waived.”
However, the on-the-ground experience at land border crossings has not been entirely consistent with this.
CBC News reported in November 2025 that five Canadian snowbirds interviewed had each been fingerprinted, photographed, and charged the $30 I-94 fee when crossing at a land border, despite the official exemption. Three said the border officer offered to process them and they agreed; two said they were not given a choice. TheTravel similarly reported that many Canadians crossing at land borders had been fingerprinted and photographed by CBP as part of the I-94 process, while others had been exempt, with inconsistent enforcement leaving travellers confused.
The important distinction here is that the biometric collection being reported at land crossings appears to be happening as part of the CBP I-94 issuance process, not as part of the USCIS G-325R registration process. CBP and USCIS are separate agencies operating under different processes. The official USCIS fingerprint exemption applies to the G-325R; it does not necessarily govern what CBP does when issuing an I-94 at the border.
What this means practically: If you cross a land border and request or are processed for an I-94, you may be fingerprinted and photographed and charged $30, regardless of the official USCIS exemption. This experience has been inconsistent; some Canadians have gone through it, others have not. If you wish to avoid biometrics entirely, entering by air remains the most reliable way to receive an automatic I-94 without the additional processing.
For non-Canadian citizens 14 years of age or older who will be staying for more than 30 days, fingerprinting as part of the USCIS biometrics appointment remains a requirement.
A Note on the New US Visa Integrity Fee
There has been widespread confusion about a new US “visa integrity fee” introduced in 2025. The Canadian Snowbird Association has clarified this directly: the visa integrity fee does not apply to Canadian citizens visiting the US temporarily as tourists, including snowbirds. Since Canadian citizens are not required to apply for a tourist visa for stays of up to six months, the fee has no bearing on standard snowbird travel. You do not owe this fee.
Note: Canadian permanent residents who are not Canadian citizens may be subject to the $250 USD fee in certain circumstances. Contact an immigration attorney if this applies to you.
Proving Your US Registered Status
Regardless of how you are registered (via I-94 or Form G-325R) you are required to carry proof of your registration at all times while in the United States. As stated in the executive order, “aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep evidence of registration in their personal possession at all times.”
There are two ways to satisfy this:
If registered via I-94: Print a copy of your current I-94 from the CBP website and carry it with you.
If registered via Form G-325R: After submitting the form through the myUSCIS portal, download and print the “Proof of Alien Registration” confirmation document and carry it with you.
We strongly recommend carrying a physical paper copy rather than relying on a phone screen, particularly when interacting with border officers or law enforcement.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to register when required, or failing to carry proof of registration, are both violations of federal immigration law. According to USCIS:
- Failing to register can result in fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
- Failing to carry proof of registration can result in a misdemeanor charge, with fines of up to $5,000 or imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both.
These are not hypothetical penalties; they reflect the current enforcement posture of the Trump administration, which has designated immigration compliance as a civil and criminal priority.
Biometric Photography at the Border
A related development worth noting: starting December 26, 2025, the US introduced mandatory biometric photography for all travellers entering and exiting at land borders and airports, with full implementation in 2026. This applies to all travellers, including Canadians, and is a separate measure from the G-325R registration requirement. It does not require any action on your part; it happens at the border crossing itself.
Impact on Canadian Snowbirds
The enforcement of these registration requirements has added friction to a cross-border travel experience that was previously seamless for most Canadians. The approximately one million Canadian snowbirds who head south every winter are now navigating a more complex set of requirements than at any point in recent memory, and doing so against a backdrop of tariff tensions, a weaker Canadian dollar, and new rules like the 30-day registration requirement.
The Canadian Snowbird Association has formally opposed the registration requirement, taking the position that Executive Order 14159 was intended to address unlawfully present individuals and should not apply to Canadian tourists. In their public comment to DHS, the CSA argued that Canadian citizens are effectively “registered” when they are inspected and admitted by CBP at a port of entry, and recommended that Canada be exempted from the general G-325R requirement entirely. The CSA continues to lobby on this issue; check snowbirds.org for the latest updates.
How Can Canadian Travelers to the US Remain Compliant?
The heightened enforcement of US alien registration laws represent a significant shift in the way Canadians need to approach extended stays south of the border. Nevertheless, the practical checklist for most snowbirds and long-term visitors is straightforward:
- After every entry into the US, check your I-94 status at i94.cbp.dhs.gov
- If no I-94 was issued and you plan to stay 30 days or more, file Form G-325R within 30 days
- Print and carry proof of your registration at all times
- Repeat after every re-entry; registration does not carry over between trips
By following these steps, you can safely avoid negative consequences arising from these regulatory changes.
Heading down to the US this winter? Learn more about our car transport service for snowbirds.
FAQs About the New US Registration Requirements
When did the new US alien registration rules take effect?
The new regulations have been under strict enforcement since April 11th, 2025.
Do all Canadians need to register?
Most do not need to take any extra steps. Canadians who enter by air are typically issued an automatic electronic I-94, which satisfies the registration requirement. Canadians entering by land may or may not receive an I-94; check the CBP website after every crossing. Only those without a valid I-94 who plan to stay 30 days or more need to file Form G-325R.
Does the new visa integrity fee apply to snowbirds?
No. The CSA has confirmed that the visa integrity fee does not apply to Canadian citizens visiting temporarily as tourists. You do not need to pay this fee for a standard snowbird stay.
How can Canadians fulfill the registration requirements?
Canadians can fulfill the registration requirements by obtaining an electronic I-94 form (which is automatically issued when arriving in the US by air) or by filling out Form G-325R on the USCIS website if they do not have a current I-94 status.
How do I check if I have a current I-94 status?
You can check your current I-94 status on the CBP website.
Will I be fingerprinted?
Officially, Canadian citizens are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement as part of the G-325R USCIS registration process. However, CBC News and others have reported that some Canadians crossing at land borders have been fingerprinted and photographed by CBP as part of the I-94 issuance process, with inconsistent enforcement. Entering by air is the most reliable way to avoid biometrics.
Does my registration carry over from last season?
No. Registration via Form G-325R is valid for a single stay only. If you leave the US and return, you must check your I-94 status again and file a new G-325R if required.
What happens if I don’t register?
Failure to register when required is a violation of federal immigration law and can result in fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment of up to six months. It can also affect your ability to re-enter the US on future trips.