Key Takeaways
• The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act may allow eligible Canadians to spend up to 240 days yearly in the U.S.
• Applicants must be 50+, keep a Canadian address, and cannot work or use U.S. public benefits.
• The bill, introduced April 29, 2025, still needs to pass Congress before it becomes law.
A new proposal called the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act is now in front of the U.S. Congress. This bipartisan bill could let Canadian citizens spend more months each year enjoying the warmer climate of the United States 🇺🇸 if it becomes law. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the bill’s arrival has caught the attention of Canadian citizens, real estate owners, U.S. lawmakers, businesses, and travel groups on both sides of the border.
Let’s break down what this legislation is about, why it matters, and the potential effects for Canadians, local businesses, and the tourism industry.
The Basics: What Is the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act?
The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act is a new plan introduced by Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Laurel Lee (R-FL), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ) on April 29, 2025, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The main goal of the bill is to give eligible Canadian citizens more time to visit and live in the United States 🇺🇸 for personal reasons—especially during the cold Canadian winters.
Currently, Canadian citizens can only stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for up to 182 days, or about six months, each year without a visa. If they stay longer, they might break U.S. immigration laws, which could lead to bans or penalties. The new Canadian Snowbird Visa Act would increase this period to 240 days per year, equal to about eight months. That gives Canadian citizens two extra months each year in the U.S. without needing to apply for a visa or green card.
Who Can Benefit?
Not all Canadians can make use of this benefit. The bill sets out clear rules for who qualifies:
- The Canadian citizen must be at least 50 years old.
- They must keep a home in Canada 🇨🇦 (they can’t move full-time to the U.S. and leave Canada 🇨🇦 for good).
- They must own a home in the United States 🇺🇸 or have a signed lease for the time they wish to stay.
- They must not be “inadmissible” (for example, because of criminal offenses) or “deportable” under U.S. immigration law.
- They cannot work for U.S. employers—so no jobs while using this extra time allowed under the bill.
- They cannot ask for, or use, public welfare programs in the United States 🇺🇸.
The main applicant’s spouse can also enjoy these benefits, even if the spouse doesn’t own or rent the U.S. property. This means Canadian couples can plan long visits together without each needing to prove they have a separate place to stay.
Why Was This Bill Proposed?
The idea behind the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act is not new. Canadian citizens, often called “snowbirds,” have been traveling to warmer places in the United States 🇺🇸 every year for decades, especially during winter. Many own vacation homes in states such as Florida or California and spend money on hotels, shopping, restaurants, real estate, and other local services.
Supporters say Canadian snowbirds help many U.S. communities and create jobs for Americans. They also point out that visits from Canadians boost state and local governments by adding to the tax base.
Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL), one of the bill’s sponsors, explained, “Canadian residents contribute billions of dollars each year to our small businesses, real estate markets, and local economies—especially here in Florida.” Her statement shows how much some U.S. areas depend on Canadian citizens who return year after year.
The Canadian Snowbird Association, a non-profit for Canadian travelers with over 100,000 members, joined in supporting the bill. The group said that the new law “recognizes the pivotal impact Canadian snowbirds have on the U.S. sunbelt.” Areas in southern states often see an uptick in activity during the winter months because of these long-term Canadian visitors.
Past Attempts and Renewed Efforts
This isn’t the first time the idea has been discussed. Similar rules were put forward before. In February 2023, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Canadian Snowbirds Act of 2023 (S.387) in the Senate. Although the proposal made progress, it did not become law. The current House bill (H.R. 3070) is a renewed effort, showing that support for the idea remains strong from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
The current push has come at an important time, as both Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸 are hoping to improve travel and economic ties. Statistics have shown that Canada 🇨🇦 is the largest source of international tourism for the United States 🇺🇸, with Canadian visitors spending more than $20 billion each year. This makes attention to Canadian snowbirds even more important.
The Economic Angle: How Canadian Snowbirds Matter to the U.S.
Canadian snowbirds don’t just bring their luggage and beach towels—they bring their wallets, too. Many U.S. cities, vacation communities, and states see a sharp rise in spending thanks to these visitors.
For example:
- Canadians own about 7% of all homes in California’s Coachella Valley. Many others rent homes or condos for the winter months.
- In Florida, Canadians often fill up hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and shopping centers between November and April.
- Each year, Canadian visitors spend over $20 billion in the United States 🇺🇸, directly helping small businesses and workers.
“Canadian residents contribute billions of dollars each year to our small businesses, real estate markets, and local economies—especially here in Florida,” repeated Representative Lee.
The states benefit, too. More visitors mean more tax money, higher employment, and in many cases, stronger property values.
Wider Impact: Governments and Tourism Groups Respond
The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act arrives as U.S. states are going out of their way to bring in even more Canadian tourists. For instance, California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a fresh campaign to attract Canadian travelers after 1.8 million Canadians visited the state in one year, spending US$3.72 billion.
Lawmakers such as Congressman Ken Calvert, who represents part of California’s Coachella Valley, have supported the bill, pointing to the large number of Canadians who own homes or visit the area. This interest isn’t limited to California—states across the U.S. sunbelt want to see even more Canadian visitors.
The Canadian Snowbird Association also commented that the change would “recognize the pivotal impact” Canadians have, especially in warm-weather states.
What Is the Current Status of the Bill?
The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, as of May 10, 2025, has only been introduced and has not yet been passed. The bill has both Republican and Democratic supporters, which improves its chances, but it must go through several steps before it becomes law.
In Congress, a bill like this usually needs to pass committee votes, debates, and a final vote in both the House and Senate. Only after both chambers agree can it be signed by the President.
For Canadian citizens who spend part of each year in the United States 🇺🇸, and the U.S. travel industry, the next few months will be important as they wait to see if the law takes effect.
How Could This Change Affect Canadian Citizens?
If the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act becomes law, the main change is clear: more time for eligible Canadians to spend in the United States 🇺🇸 each year. Here’s how that might look in practice:
- Canadians who want to spend longer at their U.S. homes each year could legally stay for up to eight months, up from six.
- Couples could plan longer visits without each spouse needing to prove they own or rent a property, since spouses are now covered more broadly.
- People who rely on Canadian health care or wish to keep strong ties to their Canadian home would not face tough choices, since the new rules require a Canadian address.
However, for Canadians who are younger than 50, who want to work while in the United States 🇺🇸, or who wish to access American public benefits (like healthcare or welfare), this law does not open any new doors. The focus is only on retired or semi-retired Canadians who wish to escape the winter and spend their own money in the U.S.
What Are the Limits and Rules?
The proposed changes expand the time allowed, but do not change the basic restrictions already in place. Canadians still:
- Cannot work for U.S. employers while taking advantage of this act.
- Must not use U.S. public assistance or welfare programs.
- Must keep a home in Canada 🇨🇦 and cannot simply move to the United States 🇺🇸 long term.
- Must not have backgrounds or issues that make them “inadmissible” or “deportable.”
- Must meet the age and property requirements mentioned before.
For full details and to check the step-by-step requirements, you can find more on the U.S. Congress official bill page.
Concerns and Differing Views
Most of the talk about the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act has been positive. Business groups, tourism officials, and travel groups like the Canadian Snowbird Association have praised the plan.
However, there are a few questions and concerns to consider:
- Could some Canadians use the new rule to actually “move” to the United States 🇺🇸 without going through the normal immigration path? The rules aim to prevent this by setting property and residency requirements.
- Would longer stays result in less tax money for provinces in Canada 🇨🇦 if retirees spend more of the year outside the country? This is a topic for both Canadian and U.S. officials and accountants.
- What steps will be in place to make sure no one works “under the table” while staying longer in the United States 🇺🇸?
- Could there be extra demand on Canadian health care if more retirees keep their main address in Canada 🇨🇦 but spend most of the year elsewhere?
The main goal of the bill, though, remains clear: to make it easier for older Canadian citizens to enjoy warm weather, help local businesses, and keep a close U.S.–Canada 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 friendship.
Historical Context: A Long Partnership
Canadians have been winter visitors to the southern United States 🇺🇸 for generations. States like Florida, Arizona, and California have built strong bonds with Canadian communities. Homes, golf resorts, and local businesses often depend on Canadian visitors each year. This law, if passed, would simply reflect a relationship that already exists.
Lawmakers see the bill as updating the rules to match changing lifestyles and retiree choices. As more Canadians choose to retire, many want to spend winters in a warmer place while coming back home for the rest of the year.
Looking Ahead: What Happens Next?
As with any bill in the U.S. Congress, the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act faces a long process before it can become law. Lawmakers can suggest changes, hearings might take place, and the bill’s supporters hope for a final vote this year.
If the bill is approved, Canadian citizens meeting the requirements could begin to plan longer U.S. visits. Local governments, travel businesses, and snowbird associations will likely be quick to share updates and make sure Canadians know the new rules.
For now, Canadians already planning winter travel will have to follow the current 182-day rule. Everyone interested should watch official announcements and updates in case the law changes soon.
Summary: What Canadian Citizens Need To Know
- The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act was introduced in U.S. Congress on April 29, 2025.
- It proposes letting eligible Canadian citizens stay up to 240 days each year in the United States 🇺🇸, instead of 182.
- To qualify, you must be 50 or older, keep a Canadian 🇨🇦 address, own or rent a U.S. property, not work, and not seek U.S. benefits.
- The bill has broad political support and strong backing from business and travel groups.
- The measure is not yet law. It must pass the House, Senate, and be signed by the President before it takes effect.
- If passed, the law could mean more spending in U.S. communities, but there are concerns about taxes, rule enforcement, and the impact on both countries’ economies.
Anyone who wants a detailed look at the bill and its progress through Congress can visit the official Congressional bill tracker.
Stay tuned for updates as U.S. lawmakers and Canadian travelers shape the future of the snowbird tradition.
Learn Today
Canadian Snowbird Visa Act → Proposed U.S. law letting certain Canadians stay up to 240 days yearly without a visa or green card.
Inadmissible → A person who is not legally allowed to enter or stay in the U.S. due to criminal, security, or health reasons.
Green Card → An identification card allowing a person to live and work permanently in the United States.
Public Welfare Programs → U.S. government support services, such as Medicaid or food assistance, that non-citizens cannot use while on this visa.
U.S. Congress → The legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, responsible for passing laws, including immigration bills.
This Article in a Nutshell
A new bipartisan bill, the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, could let qualifying Canadian citizens spend up to 240 days in the U.S. annually. Applicants must be 50 or older, maintain a Canadian residence, own or rent U.S. property, and not work or claim public benefits. The proposal awaits congressional approval.
— By VisaVerge.com
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