New U.S. registration rule puts more than 1 million Canadian snowbirds on notice

A new U.S. rule eases winter travel

For many Canadians, heading south for the winter is a yearly tradition. Warm weather, familiar communities, and U.S. vacation homes make states such as Florida and Arizona popular with Canadian snowbirds. But renewed enforcement of a longstanding U.S. registration requirement created an extra compliance step for some long-stay visitors in 2025.

Now, a recent rule change gives many NEXUS travelers a break from that process. The update could make border compliance simpler for qualifying Canadians planning another winter in the United States.

The registration rule has been around for decades

The United States has had federal alien-registration requirements since the Alien Registration Act of 1940. Current law requires certain non-U.S. citizens who are not already registered and remain in the country for 30 days or longer to complete registration.

The requirement received much more attention in 2025 after the Trump administration made compliance an enforcement priority and USCIS introduced Form G-325R. Some Canadian land travelers also encountered a separate Form I-94 process at the border that could involve photographs, fingerprints, and a $30 fee.

Enforcement caught some snowbirds by surprise

The stricter approach became especially noticeable during 2025. Some Canadian visitors arriving for extended stays were directed to secondary inspection and told they needed to complete the registration process.

The change surprised travelers who had crossed the U.S. border for years without dealing with such requirements. For snowbirds planning months in warm-weather states, the new procedure added another concern to an already important border crossing.

NEXUS travelers now get a major break

A final Department of Homeland Security rule changes things for some Canadian snowbirds. Travelers whose most recent admission to the United States used qualifying Trusted Traveler Program processing can now use their program documentation as evidence of registration.

That includes NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, and Global Entry. Qualifying travelers generally do not need to submit Form G-325R simply because their U.S. visit will last 30 days or longer.

NEXUS membership alone is not enough

There is an important detail Canadian travelers should know. Simply having a NEXUS membership does not automatically mean someone is already registered under the updated rule.

The key factor is how the traveler was last admitted into the United States. The guidance specifically refers to people whose most recent admission occurred through a qualifying Trusted Traveler Program. That distinction could matter at the border, especially for snowbirds who use different entry methods during their trips.

Millions of Canadians use NEXUS

NEXUS is widely used by travelers who regularly cross the U.S.-Canada border. Canada Border Services Agency data show that the joint program had about 2.1 million members by the end of 2025, making the registration update potentially significant.

Not every member receives the same treatment under the new rule. It depends on whether the person’s most recent U.S. admission used qualifying Trusted Traveler Program processing. For those who qualify, the change can remove the need to submit Form G-325R for an extended stay.

The process became costly for some visitors

Some Canadian visitors processed for a Form I-94 at a land border can face a $30 fee, and border processing may include photographs and fingerprints. Form G-325R itself currently has no filing fee, and Canadian visitors who use that form may be exempt from fingerprinting.

People who are required to register can face penalties if they willfully fail to comply. The newest rule reduces the paperwork burden for qualifying Trusted Traveler participants by recognizing their program documentation as evidence of registration.

Little-known fact: Florida recorded about 3.17 million Canadian visitors in 2025.

One Canadian couple faced a long inspection

The new procedures became real for some snowbirds during the previous snowbird season. CBC News reported on Canadian couple Jacquie and Steve Ree, who were fingerprinted, photographed, and charged $60 in total after entering the United States through the Peace Arch crossing.

Their motorhome was searched during a secondary inspection, and Ree said they waited about 90 minutes before receiving conflicting instructions about whether they could register at the border. A third officer eventually completed the process, allowing the couple to continue their trip.

Another bill could give snowbirds more time

Registration is not the only U.S. policy attracting attention from Canadian snowbirds. H.R. 3070, officially titled the Canadian Snowbird Act and promoted by its sponsors as the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, would allow certain Canadians to remain in the United States longer.

The proposal would extend the stay for qualifying Canadians from 182 days to as many as 240 days in a 365-day period. Eligible visitors would need to be at least 50, maintain a residence in Canada, and either own a U.S. residence or rent accommodation for their stay. The bill has not become law.

Last year’s boycott did not stop snowbirds

Canadian travel to the United States fell sharply during 2025 as political tensions and trade disputes fueled calls to avoid U.S. travel. Statistics Canada recorded 29.1 million Canadian-resident return trips from the United States that year, a 25.4% decline from 2024.

Snowbirds also pulled back, but many still planned to travel south. A late-2025 Snowbird Advisor survey of more than 4,000 Canadian snowbirds found that 70% intended to spend the winter in the United States, down from 82% the previous season.

Respondents who continued going cited factors such as property ownership, logistics, family, and community ties.

Florida remained a snowbird favorite

Florida continued to attract Canadian travelers despite the wider drop in Canadian tourism. Visit Florida reported that the state received a larger share of Canadian travel to the United States in 2025 than it did in 2024.

That suggests snowbirds and other Canadians who still wanted a U.S. getaway often continued choosing familiar destinations. Florida’s warm winters, established Canadian communities, and large number of seasonal residents helped keep the state near the top of the list.

Fun fact:  An estimated 39.88 million travelers visited Florida in Q1 2026.

Border tensions could shape winter travel

Canadian travel plans could face another test as the 2026 winter season approaches. Trade disputes and continued reluctance among some Canadians to visit the United States have kept cross-border relations in the spotlight.

Still, snowbirds have reasons to keep returning. Many have spent years building their winter routines in Florida, Arizona, and other warm states. Their homes, social circles, and long-standing connections can make a seasonal move south feel less like a vacation and more like part of everyday life.

Trump’s renewed election fraud claims are prompting responses from states across the country. Discover how officials are addressing the latest claims and what they could mean for elections.

Snowbirds could shape the winter season

Canadian snowbirds have an important role in U.S. tourism because many stay for weeks or months and spend money in local communities. Their choices could influence travel businesses across popular winter destinations.

The latest registration change may remove one headache for qualifying travelers, but political tensions remain a factor.

Thousands of eligible ballots can go uncounted for a variety of reasons during U.S. elections. Find out why some valid votes may never make it into the final count.

Will Canadian snowbirds continue their long-standing winter tradition in the United States, or will more choose other destinations this season? Share your thoughts.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Read More From This Brand:

• Millions of U.S. vehicles carry urgent fire risk warnings

• DHS registration paperwork may become a bigger burden for millions across the U.S

• Children’s passport rules could change under proposed US immigration checks