For the millions of Canadians who travel to the United States each year, staying up-to-date on border procedures is essential. In 2025, new regulations and the enforcement of existing laws have introduced important changes that all Canadian travelers, especially those planning longer stays, must be aware of.
This US border guide details two significant changes: a new mandatory registration requirement for stays of 30 days or more, and a new biometric entry-exit program affecting all Canadian citizens.
Overview
1. The 30-Day Registration Rule (I-94 vs. Form G-325R)
The most significant change is the enforcement of a U.S. immigration law (INA § 262) that requires all non-citizens staying in the U.S. for 30 days or longer to register with the government.
In the past, most Canadian tourists visiting by land were not required to complete extensive paperwork for stays under six months. Now, new regulations effective in 2025 mandate that all Canadians on a single trip of 30 days or more must have their stay electronically registered.
This registration is accomplished in one of two ways:
- Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record): An electronic I-94 is automatically created for most travelers entering by air. If you have an I-94, you are considered registered.
- Form G-325R (Biographic Information): This is a newly implemented online form that must be filed if you are not issued an I-94 upon entry, which is common for land crossings.
2. A Step-by-Step Guide for 30-Day+ Stays
If you plan to be in the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or more, here is the process you must follow.
Step 1: Cross the Border
Enter the United States by air or land as you normally would.
Step 2: Check Your I-94 Status After Entry
After you have crossed and are at your destination, wait about 24 hours and then visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) I-94 website.
- Official Link: CBP I-94 Website
Enter your passport information to look up your record. This will determine your next step.
Step 3: Determine Your Registration Status
- Outcome A: An I-94 Record is Found.
If the website shows a valid electronic I-94 for your most recent entry, your registration is complete. No further action is required. You should save or print a copy of this record for your files. This is the most common outcome for those who travel by air. - Outcome B: No I-94 Record is Found.
If the website states “No I-94 record was found,” and you are staying for 30 days or more, you must complete the registration process yourself. This is common for land travelers. You must do this before the 30th day of your visit.
Step 4: How to File Form G-325R
If you did not receive an I-94, you must file Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration).
- Create a USCIS Account: You must first create a free online account with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Official Link: Create a USCIS Online Account
- File the Form: Once logged in, navigate to and complete Form G-325R. There is no fee to file this form. It requires biographic information, including your full name, date and place of birth, citizenship, U.S. address, and information about your parents and spouse.
- Official Link: USCIS Form G-325R Information
- Save Your Receipt: After submitting, you will receive a receipt. Keep a digital and physical copy of this receipt with your passport as proof of registration.
3. Clarification: The $30 Fee at Land Borders
There have been inconsistent reports of some Canadian travelers being directed to secondary inspection at land borders. In these cases, travelers staying 30+ days have been required to be fingerprinted, photographed, and pay a $30 USD fee to be manually issued a Form I-94.
It is important to understand that this is not the standard, required procedure for all travelers. The free, online Form G-325R is the official alternative if an I-94 is not issued.
Proactively requesting an I-94 at a land border is generally discouraged. It may lead to delays, secondary inspection, and the $30 fee. The recommended process is to cross as usual, check your I-94 status online after you arrive at your destination, and then file the free G-325R form if necessary.
4. The New Biometric Entry-Exit Program (Effective Dec. 26, 2025)
A second, separate change is a new final rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that expands biometric collection.
- What it is: A new rule, effective December 26, 2025, authorizes the collection of biometrics (primarily facial photographs, and in some cases fingerprints) from all non-U.S. citizens.
- Who it affects: All Canadian citizens, who were previously exempt from many biometric requirements.
- When: This will occur upon both entry to and departure from the United States.
- Where: The rule applies to all modes of travel, including air, land, and sea ports.
This program is being implemented to create a comprehensive biometric entry-exit system to verify identity and automate the recording of entries and exits. Be prepared for this new step in the border screening process and allow for potential extra processing time as the system is rolled out.
Summary and Official Links
As you plan your 2025 travel, remember these two key changes:
- Biometrics: Expect to have your photograph taken upon both entry and exit as part of the new nationwide biometric program.
- 30-Day+ Stays: If your trip is 30 days or longer, check the CBP I-94 website after you cross. If you do not have an I-94 record, you must file the free Form G-325R online with USCIS.
For the most accurate, official information, always refer to U.S. and Canadian government sources.
- U.S. CBP I-94 Website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/
- U.S. CBP Travel Information: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/know-before-you-visit
- USCIS Alien Registration Page: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
- Government of Canada Travel Advice for the U.S.: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
