On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued “Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion”. This means that as of April 11, 2025, Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30 days or more must register their presence with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).
This Department of Homeland Security regulation requires that foreign nationals staying in the U.S. for 30 days or more who have not previously been assigned an Alien Registration Number, file a Form G-325R. This applies to Canadians who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued Form I-94. Also required to register are those individuals applying for U.S. immigration benefits, non-immigrants who were not previously fingerprinted and registered through a visa application, aliens turning 14 years old while in the U.S. who must be registered within 30 days of their 14th birthday, and the parents or legal guardians of minor children under 14 as is required to register the child.
This registration form will require travellers to provide information relating to demographics, residence, employment, marital and family history and other background information. At this time, Canadians are exempt from the requirement to provide fingerprints and submit to biometric collection.
The requirement to register for visits 30 days or more is not cumulative over multiple stays. The ‘clock’ resets after departing the United States. Any Canadians in the United States for over thirty days, and has not yet registered, should do so as soon as possible to bring themselves into compliance.
Once the Form G-325 has been submitted and assessed, USCIS will issue a Proof of Alien Registration document, which must be carried at all times by individuals over 18.
Failure to file the appropriate documentation, or failure to carry proof as required, travellers may be faced with criminal penalties, including fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months or deportation. If travellers willfully fail to register, the violation begins on the 31st day after entry.
There is no fee for the web-based registration process.
To confirm your requirements before travelling to the United States, or to register an account with USCIS, visit https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and is not legal advice. Specialist advice should be sought regarding your specific circumstance.