Canada Issues Revised U.S. Travel Advisory Citing Stricter Border Checks and New 30-Day Registration Mandate

Written By: Paramita Sarkar

Paramita Sarkar

Story-telling has been one of my favourite passtimes and when it is about travel, every other activity seems to fall short. I started my journey as a freelancer close to two decades ago having worked with various online portals inclduding Sambhar Stories, Thirllophilia and so on. Down the years, life has rewarded me with experiences, only adding to my writing practice. Even though teaching has been my primary profession and passion, choosing the job of a travel journalist was not quite dilemmatic when selected by the esteemed editorial team of Travel And Tour World. Knowing and letting readers know about the quaint yet intriguing desintions across the globe through writing is something I always cherish and put in my best endeavour to.

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April 6, 2025 12:26 AM

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The Government of Canada has issued a new update to its official travel advisory for the United States, cautioning Canadian citizens about heightened scrutiny at U.S. border crossings and new mandatory registration requirements for extended stays.

In the latest advisory, Global Affairs Canada has warned that travelers should be prepared for comprehensive inspections of their electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops by U.S. border officials.

This marks the second major revision of Canada’s U.S. travel advisory in 2025. The first change was announced shortly after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the enforcement of a longstanding but previously underutilized regulation.

Effective April 11, 2025, all foreign nationals—including Canadian citizens—who remain in the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or more will be required to register with U.S. immigration authorities. This obligation applies to all individuals aged 14 years and older, in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, as highlighted on the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for ensuring that children under the age of 14 are registered if they remain in the U.S. for the specified duration.

This registration directive stems from an executive order originally issued by former President Donald Trump on his first day in office, which mandated that the DHS fully enforce existing immigration laws for non-citizens. Although the policy had been dormant in practice for years, its revival in 2025 signals a renewed focus on documentation, tracking, and enforcement.

In anticipation of the April 11 enforcement, Canada had already added a cautionary note about the discretionary powers of individual U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. These officers may exercise considerable authority during the border screening process, including the right to deny entry, detain individuals, or inspect personal digital content without a warrant.

Travelers are advised to consult both travel.gc.ca and uscis.gov for the most accurate and up-to-date information before planning travel to the United States.

Canadians visiting the U.S. are also reminded to carry proof of financial resources, return travel arrangements, and clearly communicate the purpose of their visit to avoid complications at entry points.

As bilateral travel remains a vital link between the two nations, these new regulations reflect changing priorities in U.S. immigration enforcement—and call for increased vigilance by Canadian travelers heading south of the border.