Every year, thousands of Quebecers trade in their snow shovels for swimsuits and head south to enjoy the sun. While travel to the U.S. has slowed down since Donald Trump’s election, millions of trips are still made every month. Before you pack your bags, take a moment to review a few key rules. Here’s your guide to a smooth, stress-free winter down south.
So-called snowbirds — people who leave Quebec in the winter for a warmer climate — often choose the United States (especially Florida) as their sunny getaway. In recent years, new rules and practices have been introduced for Canadians. These rules include a mandatory registration for longer stays and potential searches of electronic devices at the border.
Heading to the U.S.
As of April 11, 2025, anyone 14 years old or older staying in the United States for 30 days or more must register with the U.S. government under the American Immigration and Nationality Act.
Registration is free and must be done online using Form G-325R.
However, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada website, you don’t need to complete this form if you have a visa or an I-94 form (Arrival/Departure Record). In other words, most Canadians automatically meet this requirement when they enter the U.S.
If you travel by plane or boat, your information is collected by the airline or maritime travel agency and sent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). At the port of entry, you’ll automatically receive an electronic I-94 form, which you can access through the stamp in your passport. This stamp also shows how long you’re allowed to stay in the United States.
If you enter by land, for example by car, you can ask a CBP officer for a paper I-94 form and pay the associated fee. You can also complete it online up to seven days before you arrive.
Travelers entering the United States by land as temporary visitors for business or tourism (B-1/B-2 non-immigrant status), like many snowbirds, must have an I-94 form. If not, they must register online using Form G-325R.
Failing to register can lead to fines or even up to six months in prison, or both.
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What it’s like in practice According to a CBC article published in October 2025, the new rules are not yet applied the same everywhere. This is partly because the rules are still new. The CBP also says it plans to adopt photo-based facial recognition technology in the coming years for anyone entering or leaving the country, regardless of how they travel. |
What about visas?
Generally, according to the Government of Canada’s website, Quebecers who visit the United States for less than six months don’t need a visa, whether their stay is for tourism, business, or another reason.
However, permanent residents of Canada may need a non-immigrant visa and a travel authorization called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to travel to the U.S. For more information, consult the Government of Canada’s website.
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Electronic devices search at the border In March 2025, a French researcher made the news after he was denied entry to the U.S. The border officers turned him away because they found anti-Trump messages while searching his phone. U.S. CBP officers are legally allowed to search your electronic devices, like your phone, laptop, or tablet. According to the Government of Canada, the officers don’t need to give you a reason when they ask for your password or passcode to unlock a device. |