Last updated: May 2026. This post has been updated to reflect the latest developments.
A New Requirement for Foreign Nationals in the US
Starting on April 11, 2025, the United States government introduced a significant change in registration requirements for foreign nationals staying in the country for extended periods. Under a new interim final rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), individuals staying in the US for 30 days or more may now be required to complete Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration).
This regulation has direct implications for Canadian snowbirds and other visitors who spend more than 30 days in the US, which is most people doing a standard winter stay. The good news for most Canadians is that the requirement is often satisfied automatically. Whether you need to take any action depends on how you entered the US and whether you were issued a Form I-94. This post explains the requirement clearly so you know exactly where you stand.
Important: Form G-325R is not required to enter the US You continue to cross the border with the same documentation you have always used. This is a registration requirement that applies once you are already in the country.
Why Was Form G-325R Introduced?
Form G-325R is part of an effort to modernize and enforce the Alien Registration Requirement under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), ordered by President Trump as part of Executive Order 14159. It ensures that DHS has current biographic information on individuals who are in the US for extended stays but are not already in the system.
While the alien registration requirement has existed in US law since 1940, it was rarely enforced for Canadian visitors crossing by land. That has changed. US authorities are now applying these rules more strictly, and non-compliance carries real consequences.
Who Must File Form G-325R?
You must file Form G-325R if you:
- Are a foreign national staying in the US for 30 days or more, and
- Have not been issued an Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b) — which includes Form I-94
You are also required to file if you are:
- An immigrant applying for certain immigration benefits
- A nonimmigrant who was not fingerprinted or registered during the visa process
- A foreign national turning 14 years old while in the US (must register within 30 days of their birthday)
- A parent or legal guardian registering a child under 14
Use the US Citizenship and Immigration Services “Do I Need to Register?” tool to confirm whether your specific circumstances require you to register.
Who Is Exempt?
Not everyone needs to complete Form G-325R. According to USCIS, the following categories are already considered registered and do not need to file:
- Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
- Nonimmigrants admitted to the US who were issued a Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic)
- Most Canadian snowbirds and tourists fall into this exemption. Check whether you were issued an I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
- Individuals paroled into the US under INA section 212(d)(5)
- Foreign nationals who were issued an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa prior to their most recent entry
- Individuals in removal proceedings initiated by DHS
- Foreign nationals who have been issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Certain applicants for lawful permanent residence who completed fingerprinting
- Holders of Border Crossing Cards
NEXUS and Global Entry holders: Holding a Trusted Traveler Program membership does not exempt you from the registration requirement. If you were not issued an I-94 upon your most recent entry and you are staying 30 days or longer, you must still file Form G-325R.
What Does This Mean for Snowbirds?
If You Enter by Air
Canadians entering the US by air are generally issued an electronic Form I-94 automatically upon arrival. This satisfies the registration requirement — no further action is needed. You do not need to file Form G-325R.
Always confirm your I-94 was issued by checking the CBP website after arrival. Select “Get most recent I-94/I-95,” enter your information, and verify your status. Even when no paper form is provided, an electronic I-94 may have been issued without your knowledge.
If You Enter by Land
Canadians crossing a land border may or may not be issued Form I-94. Your options are:
- (a) Apply for Form I-94 online in advance — up to seven days before crossing, via the CBP website ($30 USD fee per person). Note that a provisional I-94 generated online is not a guarantee of entry; the official record is confirmed by CBP when you arrive at the border. Requesting one may also lead to additional questions or inspection at the crossing.
- (b) Request Form I-94 at the border — also subject to a $30 USD fee per person. The CBP officer has final say on whether one is issued regardless of your request.
- (c) Cross as normal — the border officer may or may not issue an electronic I-94. After crossing, check the CBP website to see if one was issued. If it was, you are registered and no further steps are required.
If no I-94 was issued and you plan to stay for 30 days or longer, you must file Form G-325R within 30 days of your entry date. There is no fee to file Form G-325R.
Our advice? Cross with your standard documentation (passport) and check your I-94 status online after arrival. This will save you the $30 USD fee. If no I-94 was issued, then file Form G-325R promptly rather than waiting until the end of the 30-day window. Do not wait: filing a few days after arrival is far better than scrambling at day 29.
Remember: if you’re unsure whether or not you were issued Form I-94 electronically upon your entry to the United States, you can verify your I-94 status online via the CBP website. Simply select “Get most recent I-94/I-95”, enter your information, and see your current status.
Critical: Form G-325R Is Valid for One Trip Only
This is the detail that catches the most snowbirds off guard. Form G-325R is only valid for a single stay in the US If you leave the United States temporarily during your winter season — for a day trip to Mexico, a return to Canada for a family event, or any other reason — your G-325R registration is no longer valid upon your return.
If you re-enter the US and are again not issued an I-94, and you plan to stay for 30 or more days, you must file a new Form G-325R for that new stay. There is no carryover from a previous filing.
Snowbirds who return to the US by plane after a temporary departure will generally be issued an I-94 automatically, which satisfies the registration requirement for that new stay.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The alien registration requirement is a legal obligation under the Immigration and Nationality Act, not optional guidance. Failure to comply can result in:
- Fines of up to $5,000
- Imprisonment of up to six months, or both
- Difficulty re-entering the US on future trips
- Flags in DHS records that can affect future entry, even if you later come into compliance
Non-compliance is now taken more seriously than in prior years. DHS and IRS systems cross-reference entry and exit data with I-94 records, and a registration gap can raise issues that affect both immigration and tax filings. If you realize you have missed the 30-day filing window, consult a US immigration attorney promptly.
What Information Is Required?
Form G-325R is lengthy, but you only need to complete the sections marked with an asterisk (*) since not every field applies to every filer. The required sections cover:
- Personal information: Full legal name and aliases, date and place of birth, gender, citizenship and nationality, any existing A-Number.
- Current US address: List the address where you are staying in the US during your visit. If you move frequently or live in an RV, you may use the US mailing address of a trusted friend, family member, or legal representative — someone who can reliably receive mail on your behalf.
- Residence history: All addresses from the past five years.
- Employment history: Current and past employers over the last five years, including job titles and dates.
- Marital and family history: Marital status, spouse details, and any prior marriages.
- Background information: Arrests, detentions, or convictions; military service if applicable; past immigration issues such as visa denials or removal proceedings.
How to File Form G-325R
Important: File only after you have entered the US and only if you were not issued an I-94. Filing before entering can create problems. Always check the CBP I-94 website first to confirm whether a record exists before filing.
- Create a myUSCIS account at my.uscis.gov
- Complete and submit Form G-325R online — the form cannot be filed by mail or in person
- Download and print your Proof of G-325R Registration from your myUSCIS account once registration is confirmed
- Carry your proof of registration with you at all times while in the US
Note: Canadian citizens are exempt from the fingerprinting (biometrics) requirement. You do not need to attend a biometrics appointment.
Carry Your Proof of Registration
Once you have filed Form G-325R, USCIS will post a confirmation notice to your myUSCIS account. Download and print this document. You are required to carry proof of registration with you at all times while physically present in the US. This applies whether your registration was satisfied by an I-94 (keep a printed copy or screenshot) or by the G-325R confirmation.
Your G-325R registration does not extend your authorized stay beyond the standard period granted at entry, typically up to six months. Registration and length of authorized stay are separate matters.
Are Fingerprints Required Also?
Canadian citizens are currently exempt from the fingerprinting requirement as part of the Form G-325R process. You do not need to attend a biometrics appointment. This exemption is specific to Canadian citizens. Citiznes of other countries will be prompted to book a biometric information gathering appointment during the process of filling out Form G-325R online.
The CSA Is Advocating to Rescind the Requirement
The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) has taken the position that this executive order was intended to address unlawfully present individuals in the United States and should not apply to Canadian tourists visiting for vacation purposes. The CSA is actively working with members of Congress and the Trump administration to rescind the registration requirement for Canadian citizens and will update its members as developments occur.
For the latest information and official guidance, visit snowbirds.org and uscis.gov/alienregistration.
In Summary
For most Canadian snowbirds, the registration requirement is satisfied automatically via Form I-94, particularly for those entering by air. The key steps are: check your I-94 status online after every entry, file Form G-325R promptly if no I-94 was issued and you are staying 30 or more days, print and carry your proof of registration, and remember that the filing applies to each trip individually if you leave and return.
The rules in this area are subject to change. The Canadian Snowbird Association continues to advocate for an exemption for Canadian tourists, and we will update this post as the situation evolves.
Heading down to the US this winter? Learn more about our car transport service for snowbirds.
FAQs About Form G-325R
Do all Canadian snowbirds need to file Form G-325R?
No. Most Canadians who enter the US by air are automatically issued an electronic Form I-94, which satisfies the registration requirement. Canadians entering by land may or may not receive an I-94; check the CBP website after arrival. Only if no I-94 was issued and you plan to stay 30 or more days do you need to file Form G-325R.
How do I know if I was issued a Form I-94?
Go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov, select “Get most recent I-94/I-95,” and enter your information. If an active I-94 record exists for your most recent entry, you are already registered and no further steps are required.
How long do I have to file Form G-325R?
You must file within 30 days of your entry date if no I-94 was issued. Do not wait until the deadline; file within the first few days of your arrival once you have confirmed no I-94 was issued. There is no fee.
Does my Form G-325R cover me for the whole winter if I leave the US briefly?
No. Form G-325R is valid for a single stay only. If you leave the US and re-enter, your previous filing is no longer valid. If you are again not issued an I-94 upon re-entry and plan to stay 30 or more days, you must file a new G-325R for that stay.
Do NEXUS or Global Entry holders need to file?
NEXUS and Global Entry memberships facilitate expedited border crossings but do not exempt you from the registration requirement. If you were not issued an I-94 upon entry and are staying 30 or more days, you must file Form G-325R regardless of Trusted Traveler Program membership.
What happens if I don’t file?
Non-compliance with the alien registration requirement is a legal violation under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Penalties can include fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment of up to six months, as well as difficulties re-entering the US on future trips. If you have missed the filing window, consult a US immigration attorney promptly.
Do I need to be fingerprinted?
Canadian citizens are currently exempt from the fingerprinting (biometrics) requirement as part of the G-325R process. No biometrics appointment is needed.
Is there a fee to file Form G-325R?
No. Filing Form G-325R through the USCIS online portal is free of charge.