The United States has introduced a new requirement mandating Canadians who plan to stay longer than 30 days to register with authorities. This move, effective April 11, strengthens existing laws that had previously exempted Canadian nationals.
The rule will primarily affect around 900,000 Canadians, often referred to as “snowbirds,” who typically spend winters in warmer states like Florida, Texas, and South Carolina.
This latest development further strains US-Canada relations, which have soured since President Donald Trump’s administration, especially after the imposition of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that the new regulations will affect between 2.2 million and 3.2 million visitors. The US has also repeatedly called for Canada to become the 51st state, adding to tensions between the two neighboring countries.