New US Border Rules for Canadians: Registration Requirements for Long Stays

First, the Myth That Needs Clearing Up

There's a persistent belief among Canadian travellers that the US registration rule for long stays was challenged in court, blocked, and quietly went away. It did not.

A legal challenge was filed in early 2025 by the American Immigration Council and several other organisations, seeking to stop the rule. A stay was requested. US District Judge Trevor McFadden denied it, finding the plaintiffs had not demonstrated a substantial likelihood of standing. The rule took effect on April 11, 2025, exactly on schedule. Then, on June 29, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule adopting the 30 day threshold without change.

So to be completely clear: this rule is not pending, not proposed, and not paused. It is permanent, and it is in force right now.

What the Rule Actually Requires

The underlying legal basis here is not new at all. The Alien Registration Act dates back to 1940, and the Immigration and Nationality Act has long required visitors to the United States aged 14 and older to register with the federal government when staying 30 days or longer. What changed in 2025 was enforcement, along with the introduction of a specific form and online process to make compliance possible.

That form is Form G-325R, filed online through a myUSCIS account. It applies to foreign nationals aged 14 and over who will be present in the US for 30 days or more and who have not already been registered through another document. One point of relief worth noting: fingerprinting is waived for Canadian nonimmigrants, so the process is genuinely simpler for Canadians than it is for many other nationalities.

Who This Actually Affects, and Who It Doesn't

This is where most of the confusion lives, so let's be precise about it. According to the US Embassy in Canada, the Canadians who need to register are primarily those admitted as nonimmigrants in B-1/B-2 status, temporary visitors for business or pleasure, including snowbirds, who did not ask to be issued a Form I-94 at a US land port of entry.

If you already have a Form I-94, you are already registered, and no further action is needed. This automatically covers Canadians admitted for employment or study in other nonimmigrant categories, including F, H-1B and TN status, since these travellers are normally issued an I-94 at the port of entry as standard.

In short, the typical person caught by this rule is a Canadian who drove across a land border for an extended stay without receiving an I-94, which describes a very large share of snowbirds heading to Florida or Arizona for the winter.

The June 2026 Change: Good News for NEXUS Holders

Here's the most recent, most practically useful update, and it's genuinely welcome news for a lot of Canadian travellers.

As part of the June 29, 2026 final rule, DHS added NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST and Global Entry records as acceptable evidence of registration. In practical terms, this means that as of June 29, 2026, Canadians who were last admitted to the US using NEXUS are already considered registered with USCIS and do not need to submit Form G-325R at all.

The Canadian Snowbird Association confirmed on August 30, 2026 that USCIS had updated its guidance to this effect ahead of the winter season. One important caveat: this exemption applies specifically to individuals who were last admitted using their trusted traveller credential, so anyone who entered by another means on their most recent trip should not assume they're automatically covered simply because they hold a NEXUS card.

What Hasn't Changed: Your Six Month Allowance

It's worth stating plainly, since this generates real anxiety every winter. The customary visitor admission period remains up to six months at the discretion of the border officer. Neither the registration rule nor the related biometric rule changed that at all. Registration is a compliance step, not a reduction in how long Canadians can stay.

Separately, there is legislation worth keeping an eye on. The Canadian Snowbird Act, which proposes a 240 day allowance for qualifying Canadians aged 50 and over, has been introduced in Congress. It has not become law, and should not be relied upon for current travel planning, but it reflects ongoing legislative interest in this exact issue.

Do You Need to Register? Quick Reference

How to Register, Step by Step

1. Confirm the rule actually applies to you by checking whether you received a Form I-94 at entry, or whether you were last admitted using a trusted traveller programme.
2. Create a myUSCIS online account if registration is required, which is the only channel through which Form G-325R can be filed.
3. Complete and submit Form G-325R through that account, ideally before or promptly upon reaching the 30 day threshold.
4. Keep documentation of your entry regardless of whether you need to register, including passport stamps and any I-94 record, since being able to prove your entry details matters if questions arise later.
5. Track your days carefully across the full season, particularly if you make multiple trips, since consistency and transparency at the border are genuinely valuable.

Why Compliance Matters

Failing to comply with the registration requirement, where it applies, can bring civil or criminal penalties, including fines and potential misdemeanour charges. For a snowbird who has spent decades travelling to the US without incident, this can feel like an unnecessary administrative hurdle, but the rule is being actively enforced, and the consequences of ignoring it are real rather than theoretical.

Before Your Next Long Stay

• Confirmed whether you received a Form I-94 at your most recent entry
• Checked whether your most recent admission was through NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST or Global Entry
• Created a myUSCIS account if Form G-325R registration is required
• Kept copies of passport stamps, I-94 records and any trusted traveller documentation
• Confirmed your intended length of stay against the standard six month admission allowance
• Verified current guidance directly with USCIS or the Canadian Snowbird Association before departure

The Bottom Line for Canadian Travellers

This rule is real, permanent, and affects a large number of Canadians who genuinely may not realise it applies to them, particularly anyone driving south for the winter without an I-94 in hand. The June 2026 NEXUS clarification removes the burden entirely for a significant group of frequent travellers, which is worth knowing before spending time on a form you may not actually need to file. For everyone else, registering is a straightforward online step, and one worth taking seriously.