Canada updates travel guidance for residents heading to US

• Canada issued new travel guidance for its citizens visiting the U.S. It instructs them to register with the U.S. government if they intend to stay for more than 30 days.
• The move comes amid increased tensions regarding tariffs since President Donald Trump assumed office in January.
• Other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, have issued similar guidance to their citizens.

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As tensions between the U.S. and Canada remain heightened over the recent tariff war, Canada issued new travel guidance for Canadians visiting the U.S. It stipulates that Canadians staying for more than 30 days must register with the American government.

Why did Canada update its guidelines?

The requirement follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on his first day in office. It directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure noncitizens comply with the Immigration and Naturalization Act.

That law requires “all aliens 14 years of age or older, who were not registered and fingerprinted when applying for a U.S. visa, and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, to do so.”

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Parents and guardians of children under 14 must ensure children are registered.

The updated travel guidance points Canadians to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. The section is titled Alien Registration Requirement.

Failure to comply may lead to civil or criminal penalties, including prosecution for a misdemeanor and a fine. However, most Canadian travelers are not required to provide fingerprints.

How often do Canadians travel to the US?

The Vancouver Sun, citing the U.S. Travel Association, reported that in 2024, Canadian visits to America exceeded 20 million and generated more than $20 billion in economic impact.

This includes so-called snowbirds who travel south for the winter to warmer American climates.

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Have other countries issued similar guidance?

Canada joined the U.K. and Germany in updating their travel restrictions to the U.S. These two countries have informed their citizens that possessing a valid passport or authorization does not guarantee entry into the U.S.

As Straight Arrow News recently reported, the tariff war between the U.S. and Canada has already affected cross-border travel between the two countries.

The new Canadian travel rule takes effect on April 11.