New U.S. registration rules for Canadian snowbirds effective Friday

Strict new rules are in place as of Friday at the border for long term visitors — as well as for Canadians already in the United States — and there are warnings that snowbirds and others should comply.

“It’s the day the U.S. government starts enforcing what we are calling the Canadian snowbird registration requirement,” said Rosanna Berardi, managing partner with Buffalo, New York-based Berardi Immigration Law.

“That’s for all Canadians who are in the United States for 30 days or more that crossed at a land border. If they are driving their car across the border and staying long-term, the government now requires them to register.”

Berardi says it is a fairly quick, simple process.

“You have to go to the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services website and create an account, and then that account will lead you to a form,” she told 1130 NewsRadio.

“There’s no fee; it takes about 15 minutes, and when you are done, it will say you have been authorized and registered pursuant to the government regulations. You can either print that out or you can download it and carry it on your phone, but you are required to carry it with you.”

While it sounds alarming, Berardi points out that U.S. immigration law has always required visitors to carry documents showing who you are along with your immigration status in the United States.

And while the U.S. has increased enforcement of its immigration laws, she believes Canadian snowbirds have little to fear when it comes to random checks.

“I think the U.S. government has bigger fish to fry right now. I think this is a rule; they are attempting to tighten security, and, yes, there is a penalty for failure to comply. But do I think the government is going to go knocking on doors in south Florida and Arizona? No.”

However, Berardi does recommend full compliance with the new requirements.

“Let’s say you are a Canadian and you got arrested for a crime. They would maybe ask if you are registered. It would be something ancillary, something secondary, not something that, in my best guess, they are going to be putting on high priority.”

The penalty for not being registered as a long-term visitor is a fine of up to $5,000 USD, six months in jail, or both.

Berardi says it is also important to note that the requirements are retroactive — Canadians already in the States long-term are also required to be registered as of Friday and carry proof or risk facing penalties.

But she says Canadians do get one break.

“It’s important to know that fingerprints are not required. They are required for everyone else in the universe who comes to the U.S. but Canadians.”