New U.S. bill would benefit Canadian snowbirds, allowing them to stay there longer
Amid heightened tensions and stricter travel policies between the U.S. and Canada, a new bill would extend the amount of time Canadians can spend in the United States.
The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act , which was introduced on April 29, would allow Canadian citizens who own or lease a residence in the U.S. to stay for 240 days annually. That is nearly two months longer than the current policy, which permits Canadians to be in the U.S. for 182 days a year.
“The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) has been working closely with members of the United States Congress in an effort to have the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act enacted into law. We are pleased to see it re-introduced in the current session of Congress,” the association said in an emailed statement to National Post on Thursday.
“Canada is the largest international tourism market in the United States, with annual spending in excess of US$20 billion. This policy is a step in right direction as it recognizes the pivotal impact Canadian snowbirds have on the U.S. sunbelt. If this bill becomes law, it will allow Canadian snowbirds, who frequent the United States, greater flexibility in their travel plans.”
CSA is a nonprofit organization with 100,000 members that advocates on behalf of Canadian travellers and works to improve their rights and privileges.
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Congressman Ken Calvert, who represents part of the Coachella Valley in California, cosponsored the act. He said it will “provide an important boost to the economic engine of the Coachella Valley, which is fuelled by visitors from Canada and all over the world,” in a news release on May 1.
He said it would ultimately lead to more jobs being created and would expand economic growth in the region.
“Canadians own an estimated seven per cent of all homes in the Coachella Valley. Even more lease a residence during the winter. The Canadian Snowbird Visa Act would allow them to spend more time here and make an even bigger contribution to our local economy,” he said on a post on X on Wednesday.
In April, California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a campaign to attract Canadian travellers. Last year, 1.8 million Canadians visited the state and spent US$3.72 billion. The governor wanted to make it clear that “California is a grateful partner.”
Another state where Canadians spend much of their time, especially in winter months, is Florida. Congresswoman Laurel Lee is a Florida representative who also cosponsored the bill.
“Canadian residents contribute billions of dollars each year to our small businesses, real estate markets, and local economies — especially here in Florida,” she said in a statement to Desert Sun . “By extending the time Canadian visitors who own or lease homes can spend here, we’re supporting job growth, strengthening our bond with our closest neighbours, and helping local communities thrive.”
In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis boasted that 3.3 million Canadians visited the state in 2024 . However, reports from local news outlets in Florida revealed that its communities could feel the effect of Canadians leaving after it was announced in February that all foreign nationals would have to register to stay longer than 30 days.
“It’s not only having a negative impact on the tourism market, but business as a whole,” Cole Peacock, the owner of Seed and Bean market in Fort Myers, told Gulf Coast News .
One Canadian with a home in the Fort Myers area told the publication she’d be leaving on April 2. The registration policy came into effect on April 11. Another family told Gulf Coast News they would not return to the area next year.
New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said in a news release that Canada provides “more visits to the United States than any other country,” adding that Canadians “are critically important to North Country tourism and industry.”
According to tourism organization New York City Tourism + Conventions, roughly one million Canadians visited New York last year.
“Providing Canadians who own homes and property in the United States with extra time to visit and boost our economy will help revive Canadian tourism to the United States,” she said.
Per the news release, the bill still has safeguards in place. It prohibits Canadian snowbirds from working for U.S. employers or accessing public assistance programs, and clarifies that they will retain their nonresident tax status.
“This bipartisan bill reflects a shared commitment to supporting local economies, rebuilding cross-border tourism, and strengthening the U.S.-Canada relationship through smart, targeted immigration policy,” the news release said.
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