An replace was made on Friday, October 24, 2025, with new info on reactions to the brand new Canadian snowbirds cost from the Canadian Snowbirds Affiliation.
Journey to the US has dipped amongst Canadians. That is well-known now and has taken place all through 2025. Nonetheless, Canadian snowbirds are nonetheless loyal to America and, in truth, are paying a premium for travel to the U.S., particularly in winter snowbird states like Florida, regardless of others avoiding their neighboring nation.
Nonetheless, even with their loyalty, Canadian snowbirds have been in for fairly the shock this month. Canadian snowbirds have been launched to new procedures when visiting the U.S. These new practices resulted in delays of greater than an hour for some Canadians. Clearly, it wasn’t what they have been accustomed to, and the most recent practices additionally got here with a cost that’s being thought of a “cash seize,” in accordance with Canadian snowbirds.
This is a more in-depth take a look at what passed off, and the way Canadians are reacting to the entry insurance policies. U.S. Customs and Border Safety has additionally issued a quick response to the issues and new routines.
Canadian Snowbirds Confronted New Procedures When Coming into America
Canadians visiting the U.S. referred to the brand new procedures as “uncommon.” In keeping with CBC News, Canadian snowbirds have been fingerprinted and photographed upon entry into the US this month for his or her winter stays. The snowbirds agreed to the brand new registration necessities, however weren’t anticipating such new procedures, which, for some, resulted in delays for greater than an hour.
CBC Information interviewed Jacquie and Steve Ree of Ladysmith, B.C., two Canadians coming into the U.S. on the Peace Arch Border between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Washington earlier within the month. The couple was in for fairly the shock, not simply due to the brand new process, but additionally after experiencing delays as a consequence of a radical verify on their RV.
“I am watching them open all our hatches, and we’re pondering, ‘Oh my god.’ They went by means of our complete RV.”
Together with the inspection, fingerprints and photographs, the couple was additionally charged $60 for the registration procedures. The vacationers referred to as it a “little bit of a cash seize.”
Moreover, the Canadians felt as if the CBP officers have been conflicted all through the method. The vacationers added, “They did not actually know what they have been doing,” she mentioned. “I felt unhealthy for them.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Safety did situation an announcement over the incident.
What The U.S. Customs And Border Safety Had To Say About The New Process
CBC reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Safety. The response was fundamental, citing “commonplace process.”
CBC wrote, “A number of Canadian snowbirds reported they have been fingerprinted and photographed on the U.S. border this month when registering for his or her winter keep, which U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) advised CBC Information is now commonplace process.”
As anticipated, the incident has been met with blended reactions, particularly provided that Canadian snowbirds have been loyal to U.S. journey, regardless of the boycott going down. In keeping with knowledge from The Logic, Canadians are literally reserving long-term Florida stays sooner than final yr, whereas paying a 70% premium in doing so.
It stays to be seen what the long run holds, however for now, Canadian snowbirds are dealing with new procedures on the U.S. border.
Replace: The Canadian Snowbirds Affiliation Has Reacted To The New U.S. Border Procedures For Canadian Vacationers
The Canadian Snowbirds Association has issued a statement over the current controversy on the U.S. border.
In its advice, the Affiliation is advising Canadians to cross the border as they usually would.
The affiliation wrote, “At the moment, the CSA recommends that members proceed to cross the border as they usually would. Upon arrival at their vacation spot in the US (corresponding to Florida), vacationers ought to confirm whether or not an I-94 type has been issued.”
“If it has, they will merely print the shape for his or her data. If it has not, vacationers ought to file Kind G-325R with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) inside 30 days of entry.”
Nonetheless, a warning was additionally issued for a potential cost, together with fingerprints and pictures, if a secondary inspection takes place. Canadians are requested to “be ready for this risk when coming into the U.S.”
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Most Visited U.S. States By Canadians: |
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Florida |
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California |
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New York |
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Nevada |
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Texas |
The affiliation added that the present course of seems to fluctuate relying on the border officer and site, including much more confusion amongst vacationers.
There are efforts to simplify the method, significantly with a invoice that has been round for years now with out a lot motion.
A New Invoice In The U.S. Is Making an attempt To Entice Canadian Snowbirds To Keep For Longer
On the alternative finish of the spectrum, there’s a invoice in place that’s enticing Canadian snowbirds to stay for longer stretches of time. Elise Stefanik of New York, Laurel Lee of Florida, and Greg Stanton of Arizona are behind the invoice, one which has been modified six instances already.
The invoice goals to increase Canadian stays with out a visa to 240 days. The visa-free journey perks are just for these over 50 or these with a house in the US.
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Rules Of The Canadian Snowbirds Invoice: |
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Canadian Residents Over The Age Of fifty |
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Should personal or lease a property within the U.S. |
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Not eligible for employment within the U.S. |
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Not eligible for public help |
The invoice could lure Canadians again in, whereas boosting the U.S. economic system and bettering the bond between the 2 nations. “We’re supporting job progress, strengthening our bond with our closest neighbors, and serving to native communities thrive,” Florida Rep. Laurel Lee mentioned in an announcement.
Though the invoice does sound engaging, it has been circulating for years now, nonetheless awaiting approval.
Vacationers React To The New Course of And Price For Canadian Snowbirds Coming into The U.S.
As anticipated, there have been many reactions to the brand new price and procedures on the U.S. border affecting Canadian snowbirds.
Many vacationers imagine the story could solely result in extra guests probably avoiding the U.S., given the unclear guidelines presently in place.
One person wrote, “Except for the nationwide satisfaction facets, scariest half about that is that the border brokers don’t know the foundations. All it takes is 5% of the newly employed, over empowered hires to mainly do no matter they need to you with full immunity and your life will be turned the wrong way up.”
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How Others Are Reacting To The New U.S. Border Price And Process Change: |
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“Consideration governors and mayors who’re crying concerning the lack of tourism {dollars}: It is this proper right here that’s the drawback.” |
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“My dad (who’s a snowbird) has canceled his regular 3 months journey to the U.S. as a result of he didn’t need to be handled like a legal. As an alternative, he’s going to the Dominican Republic.” |
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“They’ll get no sympathy from me. They made a conscience option to ignore the efforts their fellow countrymen are making within the type of boycotts.” |
It stays to be seen if the U.S. Customs and Border Safety staff will present added readability on the state of affairs.
For now, it has simply created extra uncertainty and stress amongst vacationers.
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