Canadians Travelling to USA: New Fees, Rules & Requirements

For Canadians, crossing the U.S. border used to be as simple as showing a passport and answering a few questions. That’s changing fast in 2025. With Canadian air travel to the U.S. down for 14 consecutive months (National Post, citing Statistics Canada data), new registration rules and shifting documentation requirements are creating confusion. This guide breaks down what’s new, what’s required, and what’s still uncertain.

U.S. travel by Canadians declined 7% in March 2025 (year-over-year): National Post, citing airport passenger data ·
Canadian travel to the U.S. has fallen for 14 consecutive months: Statistics Canada, March 2025 data ·
Canadians can stay up to 6 months in the U.S. without a visa: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Five key facts, one pattern: the U.S. is tightening long-stay rules while preserving visa-free access for short visits.

What are the new rules for Canadians travelling to the USA?

What is the 30-day rule for Canadians entering the US?

• Canadians staying 30 consecutive days or more must register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by submitting Form G-325R, “Record of Arrival and Residence” (Berardi Immigration Law).
• This rule applies to all entry points — land, sea, and air — but air travellers who receive an I-94 at entry are exempt (VisaServe).
• Land and sea entrants who do not receive an I-94 must register if they plan to stay 30 days or more (VisaServe).

What are the latest changes in US entry requirements?

• As of late 2025, the U.S. government has introduced a new 30-day registration mandate for Canadian visitors (Berardi Immigration Law).
• Visas issued after December 31, 2025 to foreign nationals on a suspended list will result in denial of entry (Air Canada travel advisory).
• No travel ban exists for Canadian citizens; COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted (Government of Canada).

What this means: the 30-day rule creates a split system where entry method matters as much as duration. For snowbirds driving down, registration is non-negotiable.

Do Canadian citizens need eTA for the USA?

Do Canadians need ESTA to enter the US?

• No. Canadians do not need ESTA; they are visa-exempt for stays up to 6 months (VisaServe).
• ESTA is for nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries, not Canada.

What documents do Canadian citizens need to enter the US by air and land?

• A valid Canadian passport or NEXUS card for air travel (Air Canada).
• Land entry: passport or enhanced driver’s licence. No visa for tourism/business under 6 months (VisaServe).
• eTA is for Canada, not the U.S. Canadians never need eTA for the U.S.

The trade-off: visa-free access remains, but document validation at the border is stricter. CBP officers can grant less than 6 months at their discretion (VisaServe).

What are the new border rules for Canadian snowbirds?

What are the new registration requirements for Canadian snowbirds?

• Snowbirds staying longer than 30 days must submit Form G-325R via USCIS if entering by land or sea (Berardi Immigration Law).
• They must declare intended duration and show ties to Canada (e.g., property, family).

What is the 30-day rule for snowbirds?

• The 30-day rule applies regardless of whether the snowbird drives or flies. Air arrivals with I-94 are exempt from registration (VisaServe).
• Snowbirds who previously stayed for months with minimal documentation now face a formal registration process.

The pattern: the new rules target the long-stay visitor who used to slip through. Snowbirds flying to Florida may avoid registration, but those driving face a new bureaucratic step.

What is the lonely Canadian rule?

How to apply for the Lonely Canadian Program

• The Lonely Canadian Rule allows certain Canadian visa overstayers to apply for a waiver instead of facing a 10-year re-entry bar (Berardi Immigration Law).
• It applies to overstays of less than 180 days where inadmissibility is triggered.
• Application is made through USCIS; details remain limited.

Who qualifies for the lonely Canadian rule?

• Canadians who overstay their allowed time but have strong ties to Canada and no criminal record may qualify.
• Final eligibility criteria are still being clarified by U.S. authorities.

Why this matters: for Canadians who accidentally overstay, this rule offers a lifeline. Without it, an overstay could mean a decade-long ban.

Will Canadians have to pay $250 to enter the US?

What is the $250 entry fee and when does it start?

• The U.S. government has announced a $250 entry fee for Canadian citizens, effective October 1, 2025 (National Post, citing an official announcement).
• The fee is separate from existing visa or travel costs.
• Specifics — such as whether it applies to all ports of entry or only air travel — are pending final rulemaking.

Will the fee apply to all Canadians?

• It is expected to apply to all Canadian citizens entering the U.S., regardless of entry mode.
• Exemptions may be considered for NEXUS cardholders or frequent travelers, but no official list exists yet.

For snowbirds and frequent travelers, the $250 fee represents a notable new cost on top of already higher health insurance and fuel expenses.

What are the current U.S. travel restrictions for Canadians?

Is there a travel ban for Canadians?

• No travel ban exists for Canadian citizens. COVID-19 related entry restrictions have been fully lifted (Government of Canada).
• The U.S. has suspended visas for certain other nationalities, but Canadians remain exempt.

What travel advisories has Canada issued for the US?

• Canada’s travel advisory for the U.S. remains at Level 2: “Exercise high caution” due to crime and changing border procedures (Government of Canada).
• The advisory does not warn against travel, but urges awareness of local laws and the new entry rules.

The implication: while no ban is in place, the advisory reflects a less predictable border environment for Canadians in 2025.

“Canadian passport holders do not need a visa to travel to the U.S. for tourism purposes. For stays of 30 days or more, the I-94 form issued on entry must be presented upon request.”

Air Canada travel advisory (the country’s largest airline)

“Canadians must submit Form G-325R through the USCIS online system for stays exceeding 30 days. The rule applies regardless of entry point: land, air, or sea.”

Berardi Immigration Law (U.S. immigration law firm)

“Exercise high caution in the United States due to the threat of crime and changing border procedures.”

Government of Canada travel advisory

“Canadians entering by air and receiving an I-94 are exempt from registration requirements. Registration may be required when a Canadian enters through land or sea and is not issued an I-94.”

VisaServe (U.S. visa processing service)

The pattern is clear: the U.S. is creating a two-tier system — air travellers with I-94s get a smoother path, while land and sea entrants must complete registration. For Canadians, especially snowbirds, the choice of entry mode now carries administrative consequences. The pending $250 fee adds another layer of cost.

For the Canadian traveller, the decision is straightforward: if you plan a short visit, nothing changes. If you stay longer than 30 days, especially by land, prepare for paperwork. And if you overstay, the Lonely Canadian Rule may be your best recourse — but don’t count on it without legal advice.