Government Relations Report Johanne Blain First Vice-President I would like to take this opportunity to clarify recent reports in the media concerning the newly introduced U.S. “visa integrity fee.” Understandably, there has been some confusion and concern regarding how this new policy might affect Canadian travellers – particularly those who spend extended periods in the United States during the winter months. First and foremost, this new fee does not apply to Canadian citizens who are entering the United States temporarily as tourists. This includes the many Canadian snowbirds who travel south each year to escape the winter and reside in the U.S. for several months at a time. Canadian citizens are permitted to visit the United States for tourism purposes for up to six months minus one day without needing to obtain a tourist visa. As such, they are not subject to the newly implemented visa integrity fee. The purpose of the new fee, as explained by U.S. authorities, is to support the administrative and enforcement costs related to screening and monitoring certain categories of visa applicants. It applies specifically to non-immigrant visa applicants who are required to obtain a visa prior to entering the United States, based on their country of origin. Since Canadian citizens are exempt from the requirement to apply in advance for a tourist visa, this fee has no impact on routine cross-border travel for tourism. You may continue to visit the United States under the same conditions as before, without being charged any new entry or processing fees related to this policy. However, I would like to note an important distinction for individuals who are permanent residents of Canada, but not Canadian citizens. Those with permanent resident (PR) status who wish to apply for a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States may be required to pay the new US$250 visa integrity fee at the time of application. This fee is part of the U.S. Government’s broader efforts to enhance the integrity of its visa processes. In certain cases, the visa integrity fee may be refundable, provided the visa holder fully complies with the conditions of their visa. The U.S. Government has indicated that further information about the refund process, including eligibility requirements and how to submit a refund request, will be made available at a later date. Be advised that the U.S. visa integrity fee differs from the USCIS alien registration requirement introduced earlier this year. More details about this requirement can be found in the News Releases section of the CSA’s official website – www.snowbirds.org. Any changes to immigration or border policies can create uncertainty, especially for individuals who regularly travel between Canada and the United States. Please rest assured that we are closely monitoring this development and are committed to keeping our members well-informed and up to date. As more details become available from official U.S. Government sources, we will continue to share relevant information and guidance with our members. Please keep an eye on your email inbox for future updates. In related news, we are also closely monitoring the progress of the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, a bipartisan bill recently reintroduced in the U.S. Senate. If passed, this legislation would extend the permitted annual stay for eligible Canadian citizens from the current six months less a day limit to 240 days (about eight months) per calendar year. This is the companion bill to the Canadian Snowbird Act – H.R. 3070 – which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2025. The Senate version is sponsored by Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with Florida Senator Rick Scott. It is intended to provide additional flexibility for retired Canadian citizens who spend part of the year in the U.S., particularly during the winter months. The proposal reflects the economic importance of seasonal Canadian visitors to states such as Arizona and Florida, where tourism and real estate transactions by long-term visitors represent a substantial portion of local revenues. According to the bill, eligible Canadian citizens would need to meet certain conditions in order to benefit from the extended stay. These include owning or leasing property in the U.S. and maintaining a primary residence in Canada. The bill also specifies that visitors would not be allowed to work in the U.S. or access public assistance programs during their stay. Additionally, maintaining non-resident tax status would remain unchanged under the proposed law. The Canadian Snowbird Association will continue to monitor this development and share updates as additional information becomes available. Canadian citizens who travel regularly to the U.S. for extended stays may wish to follow the progress of this bill closely to understand any future changes which could impact their travel plans. Gilles and I wish you safe travels. CSANews | FALL 2025 | 13
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