To that end, a bipartisan new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the length of time Canadian citizens can visit the U.S. without a visa. Further, it proposes to raise the limit on those stays from 180 days to 240 days. The legislation was introduced by Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY), Laurel Lee (FL), and Greg Stanton (AZ). This project comes at a time when countless Canadians may be reconsidering their frequent trips south across the border due to a perfect storm of geopolitical and economic developments.
The initiative seeks to address a decline in Canadian tourism to the U.S., which has significantly dropped amid strained Canada-U.S. relations that escalated following President Donald Trump’s re-election. A combination of reasons—including the ongoing trade war, threats of annexation, a lower Canadian dollar, and rising insurance rates—has led many Canadian snowbirds to sell their U.S. homes and opt out of cross-border travel.
The bill’s sponsors want to stimulate the economy here in the U.S. by increasing the number of Canadians granted visa-free admission to the U.S. They’re hoping this will bring back the wave of Canadian tourists. This economic boom is seen as a godsend to their local communities where all the tourist dollars are spent.
Currently, Canadians who stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days are required to register with the government and carry proof of this registration while in the country. The U.S. embassy has issued this excellent and important clarification for travelers. Simplifying travel Canadians arriving by air or receiving an appropriate I-94 form at a land border no longer need to register in advance, making their travel move efficient.
Laurel Lee expressed the intent behind the bill, stating, “We’re supporting job growth, strengthening our bond with our closest neighbors, and helping local communities thrive.”
Canadians, meanwhile, are leery of heading down south due to inflationary pressures and the increasingly nasty political environment. The new proposed legislation would increase visits across our shared border, helping both countries’ economies in the process. The ultimate fate of this proposal is still very much in the air as it needs to be debated and passed by Congress.
