U.S. changes 30-day registration rule for 1M+ Canadian NEXUS travellers: What snowbirds need to know

Here’s who the rule actually applies to, what the NEXUS exemption does and doesn’t cover, and what to do if you don’t qualify for it.

What is the 30-day registration rule?

Longstanding U.S. law requires most foreign nationals to register with the federal government, usually automatically when they get a visa or an I-94 entry document. Three groups have to register separately, through an online form called the G-325R: Canadians who enter for business or tourism at a land border, aren’t issued an I-94, and stay 30 days or more; foreign children who turn 14 while in the U.S.; and people who entered without inspection. For long-stay Canadian snowbirds who drive across at a land crossing, it’s that first group that matters.

What changed on June 29 — and why it matters if you have NEXUS

DHS’s Final Rule didn’t create a new requirement, but it clarified that Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST entries all count as evidence a traveller is already registered. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed the same thing in guidance updated August 30: Travellers last admitted to the U.S. through NEXUS are considered already registered and don’t need to file a G-325R just because they’re staying 30 days or longer.

The catch: It’s about how you entered, not just what card you carry

The exemption is narrower than simply holding a NEXUS card. It applies specifically to travellers who were last admitted through a NEXUS lane or kiosk. A NEXUS member who crosses through a regular vehicle lane, or is processed through a standard line instead of a Trusted Traveler one, doesn’t automatically get the same exemption — a distinction the Canadian Snowbird Association is flagging directly to its members.

What if you don’t qualify for the NEXUS exemption?

Canadians who don’t enter through a Trusted Traveler lane have two options if they’ll be in the U.S. for 30 days or more without an I-94. They can request a Form I-94 in advance of travel through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) online portal, which satisfies the registration requirement on its own. Or they can complete the G-325R registration process after arriving, which includes biometrics collection and a background check.

What to do before you head south this winter

If you cross by land using the NEXUS pass lane, and plan to stay more than a month, you’re likely already covered — but keep some record of how you entered, since the exemption depends on your entry method, not just your membership. If you’re not sure whether your usual crossing counts, or you sometimes use a regular lane instead, requesting an I-94 online before you leave removes any doubt. And if you’ve already been in the U.S. for 30 days without registering and don’t qualify for either exemption, DHS’s own guidance points toward speaking with an immigration professional before it becomes a bigger problem than a form.

This is a paperwork question with real consequences attached, not a border-crossing inconvenience. Confirm how your usual crossing is classified before you head south this season, rather than finding out at the border.