LAST UPDATED: September 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM ET
As of April 11, 2025, some visitors to the United States who spend 30 days or more at a time in the U.S. are required to register with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
These new registration rules may require some Canadian snowbirds to register online with USCIS through their online registration portal.
Unfortunately, there has been widespread misinformation and conflicting information circulating online and through word of mouth about the new registration requirements, which has created anxiety and confusion among Canadian snowbirds as to how to comply with the new rules.
To provide Canadian snowbirds and other travellers with accurate information about the new registration requirements and help guide them through the registration process, Snowbird Advisor has created the following guide based on information from official government sources. Snowbird Advisor has also spoken with U.S. immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi, Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law in Buffalo, NY, who has reviewed the guide below.
An FAQ section has also been included at the bottom of the guide to answer some of the most common questions Snowbird Advisor has received about the new regulations.
While our goal is to make the guide as comprehensive as possible, we are aware that there are still some unanswered questions related to the new regulations, and we will continue to update the guide as soon as we are able to verify answers to these questions from official government resources.
Important Notes:
The guide below is only intended for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Registration requirements may be different for individuals who do not fall into these categories.
- Registration requirements can change quickly and without notice, and while Snowbird Advisor will make efforts to update this guide in a timely manner when new information is available, we can only confirm that the information below is up to date as of the LAST UPDATED date posted above.
- The guide below contains all of the information Snowbird Advisor has available related to the new registration requirements. Accordingly, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiring about additional details that are not included in the guide, as we do not have any additional information.
- The guide below is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice and should not be taken as such.
Background
On January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” that requires the Department of Homeland Security to ensure all “aliens” visiting the United States for 30 days or longer register with the U.S. government, as required under the section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302).
Shortly thereafter, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new alien registration requirements that came into effect on April 11, 2025.
Who needs to register?
As of April 11, 2025, all aliens (including Canadians) visiting the United States for 30 days or more must register with USCIS after they enter the United States and prior to the expiration of that 30-day period.
It is important to note that you can not register with USCIS before entering the U.S. If you are required to register, you must do so after you enter the United States.
For Canadians, the requirement to register with USCIS generally depends on whether or not you were issued a Form I-94 when you most recently entered the United States. Essentially:
- Canadians who were issued a Form I-94 when they most recently entered the United States are already registered with the U.S. government and are not required to take any further steps to register.
- Canadians who were NOT issued a Form I-94 when they most recently entered the United States are required to register online with USCIS by completing and submitting Form G-325R through the registration process outlined below. You can find more information about registration on the USCIS website here.
What is an I-94 and when is it issued?
Form I-94 is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Arrival/Departure Record issued to aliens who are admitted to the U.S.
Most – but not all - Canadians who enter the United States by air are automatically issued an electronic I-94 when they arrive in the country.
However, Canadians who enter the United States through a land border are generally NOT issued an I-94 when they arrive in the U.S.
It’s important to note that Canadian citizens are not provided with any evidence that an I-94 has been issued when they enter the United States, as this occurs behind the scenes.
How do I check my I-94 status?
After you enter the U.S., check your I-94 status on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) I-94 website here to see if you have been issued a Form I-94 by following these steps:
STEP 1: Visit the CBP I-94 website
STEP 2: Click on the Get Most Recent I-94 tab
STEP 3: Enter your traveller information, which includes your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Country of Citizenship and Travel Document Number (Passport or NEXUS).
Important Note: For your Travel Document Number, if you have NEXUS, make sure you check both your NEXUS number and passport number to ensure you receive your most up-to-date I-94 information, as your most recent entry to the U.S. may have been recorded under one of these documents but not the other.
STEP 4: After you submit your traveller information, you should see information about your most recent I-94 record.
If an I-94 for your most recent trip to the U.S. appears, you would already be registered with the U.S. government and no further action would be needed on your part.
However, if no I-94 information appears or if the only I-94 information that appears is for previous trips, you would not be registered with USCIS and would need to register through the USCIS online portal.
Do NOT apply for a Provisional I-94: Some Canadian travellers have attempted to apply online for a Provisional I-94 prior to entering the United States. However, it is not recommended for Canadians to apply for a Provisional I-94 prior to entering the U.S., as Provisional I-94s are most often rejected at the border by CBP officials. Instead, Canadians should follow the steps provided in this guide.
If you are unable to determine with certainty if you have been issued an I-94 for your most recent trip to the United States, it is recommended that you register online with USCIS by following the steps below to avoid potential issues.
How do I register online with USCIS if I have not been issued an I-94?
As of April 11, 2025, all Canadians who:
- Enter the U.S. or are already in the U.S.; AND
- were NOT issued an I-94 when they most recently entered the U.S.; AND
- will be staying in the U.S. for 30 days or more
must register online with USCIS after they enter the U.S. by following the process below and completing the new Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration).
At this time, there is no fee to register with USCIS.
You can register online with USCIS through their online portal by following the steps below:
STEP 1: Create a USCIS online account. Learn more about How to Create a USCIS Online Account here.
Each person submitting Form G-325R must have their own individual USCIS online account.
STEP 2: Log in to your USCIS online account and complete and submit the new Form G-325R.
Form G-325R must be filed online through a USCIS online account. It cannot be filed by mail or in person.
When filling out Form G-325R, please carefully consider whether you have already registered. For example, if you have an Arrival-Departure Record number to provide in response to the question “What is your Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number,” then DHS has already issued you evidence of registration. Anyone issued Form I-94 upon their admission to the United States is already registered.
STEP 3: Once you submit the completed Form G-325R, USCIS will review the information you provided and will post a notice (USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration) in your USCIS online account that provides proof of your registration that you will be able to download and print in PDF format. You must carry this document with you at all times during your stay in the United States.
If it appears that you have already complied with the registration requirements in some other way and do not need to submit Form G-325R, USCIS will notify you that you have already complied with the registration requirement.
Important Note: Canadians who register by completing Form G-325R do NOT need to be fingerprinted.
Updating your Address: All aliens in the United States required to register must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. You can submit your change of address through your USCIS online account. See the USCIS How to Change Your Address page for more information about updating your address.
Penalties for failing to register: Any alien who willfully fails or refuses to apply to register will be guilty of a misdemeanour and will, upon conviction, be fined not to exceed $5,000 or be imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
More information about registering can be found here on the USCIS website.
FAQs
Q: When should I file Form G-325R?
A: Form G-325R should only be filled out after entering the U.S., and only if an I-94 was not issued upon entry for your most recent trip. Submitting Form G-325R before entering the U.S. can create issues, so travellers should always confirm if they have been issued an I-94 after entering the United States first.
- Q: Do I need to provide fingerprints if I am required to register with USCIS?
A: (Source: U.S. Embassy in Ottawa): No. Canadian citizens who register online by completing Form G-325R do NOT need to get fingerprinted. They are exempt from the biometric collection requirement of INA 262. - Q: Is there a fee to register online with USCIS?
A: (Source: U.S. Embassy in Ottawa): There is currently no fee for the new web-based registration process. - Q: Do I need to register if I depart the United States and return?
A: (Source: U.S. Embassy in Ottawa): The requirement to register applies to each stay in the United States of 30 days or longer from the date the visitor was most recently admitted.
The requirement is not cumulative over multiple stays in the United States. When the visitor departs the United States, this “clock” essentially resets. For example: A visitor is admitted into the United States and returns to Canada after 15 days. Later that year, the visitor takes a second trip to the United States and returns to Canada after 20 days. Since each of these stays in the United States is less than 30 days, the visitor does not need to register. Q: How long does it take for my I-94 record to appear online after I enter the U.S.?
A: If you have been issued an I-94 upon entering the United States, the record of your I-94 usually appears on the CBP website within 24 hours, though delays of a few days are not uncommon.
Q: If I was not issued an I-94 upon entering the U.S., how long should I wait to register online with USCIS?
A: Ideally, travellers should register online with USCIS by filing Form G-325R soon after confirming that no I-94 was issued after their most recent entry to the United States. Travellers who are required to file Form G-325R must do so before the expiration of the 30-day period after they enter the U.S., but it is recommended to register within a few days after arrival.
Q: Which address should I provide when completing Form G-325R?
A: Travellers should list the U.S. address where they will be staying while in the United States, not their Canadian address. The purpose of providing an address is for the government to be able to contact the traveller regarding their application or registration status while they are in the United States.Unfortunately, the government has not provided guidance for individuals who are travelling by RV or moving around regularly. Individuals who are travelling by RV or moving around while in the U.S. may want to consider using the U.S. address of a friend, family member, employer, or legal representative who can receive mail on their behalf, but we are unable to provide clear guidance or recommendations to individuals in these situations.
- Q: Once I register online with USCIS, how long does it take for them to issue me a certificate of registration?
A: Unfortunately, USCIS does not provide timelines for how long it takes to review and approve registrations and provide certificates to travellers. CBP’s review timeline can vary greatly. Processing times may range from 30-60 days. Accordingly, travellers who register online with USCIS should retain proof of submission in case there are delays in issuing a certificate. - Q: If I was issued an I-94 for a previous trip that is still valid, but not for my most recent trip, do I need to register?
A: DHS and USCIS have not provided clear guidance on this scenario, but Canadians in this situation may be required to register and should err on the side of caution by registering online with USCIS. Q: Should I apply for a Provisional I-94?
A: No. Some Canadian travellers have attempted to apply online for a Provisional I-94 prior to entering the United States. However, it is not recommended for Canadians to apply for a Provisional I-94 prior to entering the U.S., as Provisional I-94s are most often rejected at the border by CBP officials. Instead, Canadians should follow the steps provided in this guide.
Travellers should be reminded that an official I-94 record is only created (or confirmed) by CBP at the border or airport.Q: If I have NEXUS am I exempt from registering?
A: No. At this time, USCIS has not given any indication that Canadians who have NEXUS will be exempt from registering.
- Q: Do the new registration requirements only apply to me if I entered the U.S by land, or do they also apply if I entered the U.S by air?
A: DHS and USCIS have not provided clear guidance on this scenario, and while the new rule refers specifically to Canadians entering the U.S. by land, it is possible that some Canadians who enter the U.S. by air may not be issued an I-94 upon entry.
Accordingly, the new rule may also apply to Canadians who enter the U.S. by air and Canadians in this situation may be required to register and should err on the side of caution by registering online with USCIS. - Q: Does your Proof of Alien Registration document need to be a physical printout or is a digital copy on your phone sufficient?
A: DHS and USCIS have not provided clear guidance on this, so it is better to err on the side of caution and keep a printed copy with you.
