Navigating New U.S. Entry Requirements for Canadian Travelers: What You Need to Know

As cross-border travel between Canada and the United States remains a vital aspect of both nations’ economies and cultures, recent changes to U.S. immigration policies are creating new considerations for Canadian travelers.

New Registration Requirement for Canadian Visitors: What’s Changing?

Effective April 11, 2025, Canadian visitors aged 14 and older staying in the United States for 30 days or longer will face a new federal registration requirement if they were not issued an electronic Form I-94 upon entry. This change primarily affects Canadians entering the U.S. via land ports of entry, as those arriving by air are typically issued an electronic I-94 automatically. This electronic form serves as proof of registration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To determine your status, visit the CBP I-94 website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home, select “Get Most Recent I-94,” and enter your traveler details (name, date of birth, passport number, etc.). If your most recent I-94 appears, no further action is needed—you’re already registered. Always print your I-94 record and carry it with you as proof of your legal status in the U.S.

To be clear, your I-94 determines your legal status in the U.S. Not your visa or your visa stamp in your passport. The governing document is your I-94, so know exactly what is on record.

Canadian citizens are normally allowed entry up to six months in duration, but your actual authorization period will be recorded in your I-94.

Leveraging the CBP Home Mobile App

The CBP Home Mobile App, launched in March 2025, is the current tool for Canadian travelers to access CBP services and manage entry requirements. Available for free on iOS and Android, it replaced the previous CBP One app and offers a streamlined platform for compliance with U.S. border regulations.

• Key Features for Canadians:
  • I-94 Management: Apply for a provisional I-94 up to seven days before arrival, access digital copies, and review up to five years of travel history.
  • Border Wait Times: Check real-time wait times at land ports of entry, aiding in trip planning.
  • Travel History: Verify past entries to ensure consistency with your I-94 records.
  • Register your exit from the U.S. on the app before you travel back to Canada.
• How to Use It: Download CBP Home from your app store, create an account with your passport details, and select services like “I-94” to manage your status. For land entries, ensure your I-94 is updated post-registration via Form G-325R (see below) if required. Always carry a printed I-94 or G-325R registration as a backup, as officers may not always accept digital versions.
• Benefits: The app reduces paperwork, provides real-time updates, and serves as a digital backup for your I-94—handy if you lose your printed copy. It’s an essential tool for staying compliant and prepared at the border.

Addressing Errors on Your Form I-94

Errors on your I-94—such as incorrect travel history, visa type, or duration of stay—can lead to complications, including denied entry or overststay accusations. Correcting these discrepancies promptly is essential. Here’s how Canadians can resolve I-94 issues:

1. Identify the Error: Review your I-94 at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home to pinpoint inaccuracies.
2. Gather Documentation: Assemble your passport, visa, travel itineraries, approval notices, and any evidence supporting the correct information.
3. In-Person Correction (Deferred Inspection Sites): If you’re in the U.S., visit a CBP Deferred Inspection Site or Port of Entry (locations listed at https://www.cbp.gov/about/contact/ports/deferred-inspection-sites). Present your documents and explain the issue.
4. Online Correction (Traveler Communication Center): If you’re back in Canada, use CBP’s “Ask a Question” webform at https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/questions?language=en_US. Select “I-94/Traveler Compliance” and “Issue with my I-94/Traveler History,” then upload your supporting documents. Collect documents to prove you exited the U.S., such as a receipt from a Canadian store from the same day or the day after you re-entered Canada.

Acting quickly ensures your travel record remains accurate, avoiding future immigration hurdles.

Form G-325R

If no electronic I-94 was issued and were unable to correct it as per the steps above, and if you intend to remain in the U.S. for more than 30 days, you must register with USCIS by submitting the new Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration) online. Here’s how:

1. Create a USCIS Account: Visit https://my.uscis.gov and follow the instructions at https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account.
2. Complete Form G-325R: Provide your full legal name, birth details, entry information, current address, immigration status, and criminal history (if applicable). This form must be filed electronically—no paper submissions are accepted.
3. Obtain Proof of Registration: After submission, USCIS will upload a “Proof of G-325R Registration” notice to your account. Download and print this document as evidence of compliance.

Notably, Canadian citizens are exempt from biometric fingerprinting requirements, simplifying the process compared to other nationalities.

Demonstrating Proof of Funds and Ties to Canada

When entering the U.S., Canadian travelers may be asked to demonstrate sufficient financial resources and strong ties to Canada to prove they intend to return home and will not overstay their authorized period. While this is not a new requirement, CBP officers have discretion to request such evidence, especially for extended stays.

• Proof of Funds: Carry documentation showing you can support yourself during your U.S. visit. This might include recent bank statements, credit card statements, or a letter from your financial institution confirming available funds. There’s no set amount required, but it should align with the duration and purpose of your trip (e.g., lodging, food, and travel expenses).
• Ties to Canada: Evidence of your intent to return can include a return ticket, property ownership documents (e.g., a mortgage or lease agreement), employment verification (e.g., a letter from your employer stating your return date), or family obligations (e.g., proof of dependents in Canada). These documents reassure CBP that you have compelling reasons to leave the U.S. at the end of your stay.

To avoid delays at the border, organize these documents in advance and be prepared to present them clearly and concisely if requested.

CBP’s Authority to Scan Digital Devices

Another critical consideration for Canadian travelers is CBP’s legal right to inspect electronic devices at the U.S. border. Under U.S. law, border officials have broad authority to search belongings—including smartphones, laptops, and tablets—without a warrant, as part of their mandate to protect national security and enforce immigration laws. This policy has sparked debate, but it remains in effect as of April 2025.

• What to Expect: CBP officers may ask you to unlock your device and allow them to review its contents, such as emails, texts, photos, or social media. Refusal to comply could result in denial of entry, device seizure, or detention for further questioning. While Canadians are not subject to criminal penalties solely for refusing to provide passwords, CBP can impose administrative consequences like barring entry or confiscating the device.
• Protecting Your Privacy: Before traveling, consider backing up sensitive data and removing it from your device, using encrypted cloud storage instead. Travel with a “clean” device if possible, and avoid storing passwords or confidential information locally. If questioned, remain polite and cooperative while understanding your limited rights as a visitor. That said, travelling with an empty or wiped device can raise its own suspicions.
• Legal Recourse: If you believe a search was overly intrusive, consult an immigration attorney after the fact. While CBP’s authority is extensive, documenting the incident (e.g., officer names, times, and details) can support a complaint or legal challenge.

Awareness of this policy can help travelers prepare and reduce the risk of complications at the border.

Additional Considerations for Canadian Travelers

Beyond these updates, other recent developments warrant attention:

• Border Security Enhancements: The U.S. continues to strengthen land border protocols, with increased scrutiny on entry documentation. Canadians should ensure all travel documents are up-to-date and readily available.
• CBSA and CBP Coordination: Both Canadian and U.S. border agencies are enhancing data-sharing agreements, meaning discrepancies in travel records could be flagged more easily. Consistency across your I-94 and Canadian records is critical.
• Always carry with you sufficient documents to prove you meet your entry into the United States.
• If asked a direct question, answer truthfully. Please note that any admission related to cannabis use will lead to a denial of entry and a bar to the U.S., as cannabis products, including medical marijuana, are Federal offences.
• If entering the U.S. through a land Port of Entry, we strongly recommend to first purchase an I-94 through the CBP Home App and to report your anticipated exit from the U.S.

While greater preparation and additional steps are required to visit the U.S., to date we are still seeing Canadian citizens cross the border as visitors or obtain work permits without significant hassles, although the tone and questioning from CBP officers has become more aggressive.