Impact of the New United States Travel Regulations 

Canada and the United States of America notably share the largest undefended border in the world, which runs approximately 9,000 kilometres in length. Travel between Canada and the United States is frequent, and a large part of life for many Canadians and Americans. Canadian citizens and permanent residents spent a total of $ 39 million in the United States in 2024, which represents 75% of the total travel abroad by Canadian residents. Given that Canada’s total population is around 40 million people, this represents almost one trip to the United States per resident of Canada.

In 2025, travel to the United States declined, with both car trips and air travel experiencing year-over-year decreases in the number of Canadians visiting the country. Canadian travel to the United States by air has declined by around 26% year over year, and travel to the United States by car has declined approximately 30% year over year. These statistics mark seven straight months of decline in Canadian travel to the United States. International travel from countries other than Canada to the United States has also declined in 2025, showing that this trend is not exclusive to Canada, as international arrivals are down around 17% year over year. 

Statistics Canada notes that significant events such as the September 11, 2001, attacks, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused major drops in trips to the US by Canadians. The cause for the decline in 2025 is likely multifaceted. One reason for the reduction in travel by Canadians could be the ongoing trade war between the two nations. Another reason could be the changing immigration regulations and environment in the United States, which is creating uncertainty for travellers. 

United States Alien Registration Requirement

In April 2025, the United States announced a change that will affect many Canadians who travel there and stay in the country for extended periods. The change is a new immigration requirement for Canadians who travel to the United States and intend to stay in the country for longer than 30 days. They will now have to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Canadians can still travel visa-free to the United States for a period of up to 180 days; however, those staying for more than 30 days will now be required to register. 

One difference between Canadians and other foreign nationals to the United States is that Canadians who are required to register are not required to submit their fingerprints, even though all other foreign nationals staying for over 30 days in the United States are required to be fingerprinted for longer stays. 

Exceptions From the Requirement to Register

This change is expected to have a significant impact on the Canadian population, as it is estimated to affect between 2.2 and 3.2 million Canadians. The requirement to register has some exceptions that are essential to note, as the mode of travel into the United States impacts whether or not someone is required to register. For example, Canadians who fly into the United States will not be subject to the registration requirement. However, Canadians who drive into the United States will be subject to the requirement. 

Other exceptions from the requirement to register include Canadian citizens who hold United States citizenship, Canadians who are lawful permanent residents of the United States, Canadians who were issued an immigrant or non-immigrant visa for admission to the United States, Canadians who were issued a U.S. Employment Authorization Document, and some American Indians born in Canada.

To register, individuals travelling to the United States can complete an I-94 form at the port of entry. For those who intend to stay in the United States for longer than 30 days and did not fill out the form at the port of entry, they can register online.

Temporary visitors to the United States, such as B1/B2 visitors, are explicitly instructed to register should they plan to stay in the United States for longer than 30 days. Everyone who is older than 14 must register themselves, and parents or guardians travelling with children under 14 must register those children.

Potential Penalties

The notice of the change also dictates that those who are required to register must carry proof and evidence of their registration in their personal possession at all times. The penalty for failure to carry the proof of registration is a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both. The potential for these hefty penalties will likely induce Canadians to comply with the registration requirement, and will deter some from travelling to the United States altogether.

Visa Bond Instituted for Some United States Tourist Visas

In addition to the changes for Canadians, further changes are on the way for visitors to the United States. Some countries will now require their nationals to be subject to visa bonds before they can enter the United States. As of August 20, 2025, citizens from Malawi and Zambia travelling on passports from those countries to the United States will be required to pay a visa bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The bond amount shall be determined at the time of the visa interview. The reason given for implementing the visa bond is the high rate of overstays in the United States among B1/B2 visa holders from these countries. 

Individuals subject to the visa bond program must enter the United States at one of three ports of entry. Those ports of entry are: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). This limits how travellers can enter the United States, especially since all of these airports are on the East Coast.

Individuals subject to the visa bond program must submit Form I-352 along with the required funds after being directed to do so by the visa officer. As part of the program, the full bond amount is to be returned to the visa holder if they comply with the terms of their visa and the visa bond. Leaving after the authorized departure date, remaining in the United States after the date by which the visa holder is authorized to remain, and applying to adjust out of non-immigrant status will result in the bond being breached. Notably, applying for asylum is included as part of the process for obtaining non-immigrant status and is considered a breach of the bond.

Although Malawi and Zambia are the only countries currently included in the visa bond program, other countries with similar overstay rates may be added in the future. Some have speculated that countries like Burundi, Djibouti, Togo, and other African countries with similar overstay statistics as Malawi and Zambia could be added to the program in the future.

Additional $250 Visa Fee

Another change for travellers to the United States is the introduction of a $250 visa integrity fee for individuals approved for a non-immigrant visa. This visa integrity fee is set to be implemented on October 1, 2025. It is potentially reimbursable for those who comply with the visa rules.

Overall, these changes are likely to continue the trend of reducing visitors to the United States, as the added costs and uncertainty will deter would-be travellers.

Garson Immigration Law: Toronto Immigration Lawyers Advising on Cross-Border Issues

Garson Immigration Law is a Toronto-based law firm that helps individuals find solutions to their immigration needs, including obtaining permanent residence in Canada and overcoming inadmissibility. Our focus on immigration allows us to understand our clients’ unique concerns and obstacles. Our skilled immigration lawyers have extensive expertise in all immigration matters, including work permits, student visas, and US immigration from Canada. If you have any questions about an immigration matter, do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 416-321-2860.