Do Canadians need to submit fingerprints for US travel? Confusion over registration rule for 30-day stay

Many Canadians are left at a lurch with the new US travel rules kicking in that require every foreign national to register with the federal government and carry documentation. According to the new US travel rule that stemmed from a January 20 executive order, all foreign nationals who plan to stay in the US for 30 days or longer will be required to apply for registration and fingerprinting with the Department of Homeland Security.

But no, Canadians travelling to the US will be exempt from the fingerprinting requirements, CBC confirmed citing the DHS's final interim rule published in the federal registrar.

Who are exempt from new US travel rules?

Permanent residents of the US and foreign nationals who received employment authorization documents, border crossing cards and immigrant or nonimmigrant visas. Foreign nationals who received I-94 or I-94W forms are also exempted, even if the period of admission listed has expired.

A US federal judge Thursday allowed the Trump administration to move forward with the new travel rule. "US authorities strictly enforce entry requirements," the Canadian government said in an updated travel advisory last week. "Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices. Comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities. If you are denied entry, you could be detained while awaiting deportation."

The registration requirement is inconvenient for Canadians who have been travelling extensively to the US for work without ant registration.

What happens if you enter the US from Canada by car?

Part of the confusion among Canadians over registration persists because there are different rules for those who are flying from Canada and those who are driving. Many who fly would have already received the required I-94 form, and they don't have to register if they've previously submitted it. Most people driving to the US aren't handed an I-94.

"A Form I-94 is needed by all visitors except: US Citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit. Travelers will be issued an I-94 during the admission process at the port of entry. If you are traveling via a land border or by ferry from selected ports, you may apply for a provisional I-94 in advance here, saving time while at the port of entry later," a US immigration website said.

So, if a Canadian is entering the US through the border and plans to stay in the US for 30 days or more, they would need to register themselves. If they are not given an I-94 form, they will have to apply for it.