With the recent news about tariffs and the influence on our economy, many Canadians are concerned about travelling to the U.S. due to heightened political tensions. Though many have already chosen to avoid going south, others must travel for work, school, pre-booked events, or family trips.
On March 21st, the government of Canada updated its U.S. travel advisory. This update states that foreign nationals, including Canadians, staying in the U.S. for periods longer than 30 days must register with the U.S. government. This new rule came into effect on April 11th, 2025. So, what precautions should you take when travelling? How should you prepare? Let’s get into it.
How to Prepare for Travelling to the U.S.
Recently, blogTO spoke with Evelyn Ackah, a Calgary-based immigration lawyer, about how you can prepare to cross the U.S. border.
“Canadians have always been treated pretty loosely, but now you need to be really prepared,” Ackah told blogTO.
Ackah advises that travellers try to own a passport that has been valid for more than six months. On the other hand, the Canadian government says your passport must be valid for your entire stay in the United States. She also states that travellers should be prepared to mention just how long they will stay in the country and what their accommodations are when crossing the border.
“You should have evidence of your return because you want them to understand you have non-immigrant intentions; you’re just going for a short-term visit,” she explained. A good example of this would be a plane ticket back home. As always, Ackah stresses the importance of being respectful and honest when dealing with border patrol when travelling to the U.S.
Travelling to the U.S.: Can border agents check my devices?
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agents have the authority to search your devices when you travel to the U.S. These devices include your computer, phone, camera, tablet, or other electronic devices. This practice isn’t new, however. During President Donald Trump’s first term, Canadians were warned that border officers had the right to demand passwords to search devices without a specific reason.
In 2017, during the President’s first term, the number of Canadians travelling to the U.S. who had their phones inspected rose by 60%. According to the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Resource Centre (CCIRC), 30,000 phone checks occurred during that time. The CBP’s data showed that 0.01% of international travellers travelling to the U.S. had their electronics searched.
“We’re entering their jurisdiction so they can pretty much do what they want, and that’s the thing that’s a little scary,” Ackah told blogTO.
Ackah advises Canadians travelling to the U.S. to leave as many of their electronic devices behind as possible, suggesting travellers use a temporary or pre-paid phone if they don’t want border agents to search through their data. However, it’s important to keep in mind that U.S. border agents have the authority to look at data saved on the cloud.
“Make sure there’s nothing on your person or technology that could be viewed in a negative light by the U.S. immigration,” she added.
Am I at risk of being questioned?
According to Ackah, Canadians travelling to the U.S. should consider whether they’ve had problems crossing the border before. This could include being detained or questioned in a secondary inspection. This is because those who have experienced challenges in the past may be flagged in their system. Another factor that could put Canadians at more risk is their record.
“People don’t always realize that U.S. border officials and Canadian RCMP share information,” explained Ackah. “So, if you know that 10 years ago you had a DUI and you don’t have a visa waiver to be able to travel, you shouldn’t bother.”
Generally, Canadians with no criminal record or past border issues should not face issues. This is especially the case if they are only there for a short visit.
What happens if I undergo secondary questioning?
According to Ackah, the first thing to do is to understand what immigration is looking for. If you think you know, telling the truth and giving them all the details is essential. Ackah says Canadians also have the option to withdraw and cancel their visit to the U.S. altogether. In most cases, it’s better to have a withdrawal of an entry visa than a refusal, since a refusal will be on your record.
If you go into secondary questioning, you will be under U.S. jurisdiction. Ackah recommends being calm and respectful and answering their questions to the best of your ability. If you feel a situation escalating, you can ask to call a family member or a lawyer. It is important to stress that this is generally a worst-case scenario. Most Canadians travelling to the U.S. for a short stay are unlikely to experience trouble.
What if I’m travelling to the U.S. for more than 30 days?
If you’re planning on travelling to the U.S. for more than 30 days, this is where things can become concerning. This is because you will have to register with the U.S. government. If you refuse to do so, there is a risk of a $5,000 fine or deportation.
“This will really affect the snowbirds and people who are spending a lot of time in the States,” Ackah claims.
She states that her law firm has been hearing an influx of concerned snowbirds and an increase in Canadians who plan to get married in the U.S. While her law firm awaits more information from the American government, she has advised people to travel to the U.S. only if it is absolutely mandatory.
What if I’m denied entry into the U.S.?
If you are being refused entry into the United States, you should receive paperwork from border agents explaining why. If you don’t, please ask for it. From there, you’ll need a lawyer to help you figure out what happened.
“It could be a mistake. Sometimes, there are notes in the system that might even be for the wrong person,” she explains. “I’ve seen that happen, where they might have the same name and everything, but the date of birth is wrong, and it’s somehow misfiled.” In most cases, a lawyer can clear this record, which can sometimes take months. In other cases, Canadians could have a criminal record that the CBP has never seen until now. It is also possible to be denied entry to the U.S. if you lie about the purpose of your visit.
“That’s when you need to get a lawyer who knows what they’re doing because you need to get a visa waiver, which is an approval before you go in the future,” said Ackah.
After you find a legal counsel, she says it can take up to a year before people can re-enter the U.S. because visa waiver processing times are so long.
Travelling to the U.S.: Final Thoughts
Ackah highly recommends that Canadians keep up with the news since rules are changing rapidly.
“Canadians need to know it’s a privilege to get into another country – it’s not a right. If they change the rules, we must comply with them if you’re going, or just don’t go.”
In the meantime, please stay updated with rules and regulations when you travel to the U.S. You can check out the Canadian Government’s advisory page. If you are travelling to a country other than America, always make sure you have the proper travel insurance to keep you safe. If you are in the market, don’t hesitate to contact us at isure or request a quote today! Safe travels!
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