Canada-U.S. Border Entry Requirements Changed
Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30 days or more must now register with the Department of Homeland Security.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Canada
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As of April 2025, new registration requirements mandate that Canadians staying in the United States for 30 days or more file an Alien Registration Form. This change follows years of heightened scrutiny regarding the cross-border activities of Canadian snowbirds.
Why it matters
The measure helps authorities enforce a 2014 information-sharing agreement between the Canada Revenue Agency and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. It aims to clarify the tax residency status of travelers who may have substantial presence in the U.S. based on a three-year rolling average.
Travelers must adhere to the 182-day threshold for U.S. tax residency, or file form 8840 to claim a closer connection to Canada. Approximately 50 percent of Canadian snowbirds own real estate in the U.S., which complicates residency status.
The players
Department of Homeland Security
This U.S. federal agency manages the Alien Registration Form requirements for foreign nationals.
Canada Revenue Agency
This Canadian federal agency administers tax laws and shares data with the U.S. government.
Internal Revenue Service
This U.S. agency utilizes a substantial presence formula to determine the tax status of foreign residents.
The details
Failure to register can result in potential fines or jail time for visitors. The IRS evaluates tax liability by tracking the location of permanent homes, family members, driver's licenses, and business activities.
Timeline
2008: Real estate crash triggered increase in Canadian property purchases.
2014: CRA and IRS signed information sharing agreement.
2016: Privacy Commissioner expressed concern regarding data sharing.
April 2025: New U.S. registration rule for Canadians took effect.
Travel Outlook
This policy follows the 2014 Canada-U.S. information sharing agreement and represents an ongoing effort to harmonize tax residency tracking between the two nations. It marks a departure from more casual border crossing practices that existed prior to the integration of these digital data systems.
Travelers planning stays of 30 days or more in the U.S. should prepare to file the required registration form before crossing the border. Maintaining documentation of your ties to Canada is essential, as customs agents have the authority to search electronic devices at crossings.
The takeaway
Travelers should document their permanent home and business activities to avoid complications with IRS tax residency formulas. Staying under the 182-day threshold is critical for those who wish to avoid being taxed as a U.S. citizen.
Further reading
For more context on how these requirements impact cross-border travel, explore the Canada section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CTVNews.
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