5 New Travel Rules Canadians Must Know Before Entering The U.S. In 2026

Last Updated On 1 January 2026, 6:05 PM EST (Toronto Time)

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Canadians planning trips to the United States in 2026 need to adjust expectations at both ends of the journey:

Conditions on the ground in parts of California can shift rapidly due to severe flooding and landslides, and
U.S. border processes are moving toward more standardized screening, documentation checks, and biometric collection.

These are being widely described as “new” rules for 2026 travellers, but the key detail is that most of them are already in effect because they were introduced or expanded in late 2025, including a major biometric rule that took effect on December 26, 2025.

Below is a practical breakdown of the 5 rules Canadians should know before crossing in 2026, including what changed, who it affects, and what to do to avoid delays, disruptions, or denied entry.

Quick snapshot of the new rules

Rule	What it means for Canadians	Best move before you go
California flooding emergency	Specific regions face flooding, rockslides, mudslides, and possible service disruptions	Monitor local alerts and avoid flood zones
Photo at entry and exit	Non-U.S. citizens can be photographed when entering and leaving	Expect photos at land, air, and sea crossings
No age exemptions	Children under 14 and adults over 79 may also be photographed	Prepare families for added screening steps
Device scrutiny at the border	U.S. border agents can inspect devices and request access	Reduce risk, prepare, and follow government guidance
Entry questioning and proof	You may need to prove ties, funds, purpose, and address	Bring documentation and keep answers consistent
Extended-stay compliance	Extra requirements can apply for stays longer than 30 days	Confirm requirements before travel and keep records

Rule 1: Flooding and mudslides can disrupt travel in California

Canada updated its United States travel advice on Monday, December 29, 2025, after California declared a state of emergency on December 24, 2025 in multiple counties due to heavy rains that led to flooding and mudslides.

Additional rain was forecast to begin on December 31, 2025, increasing the risk of further flooding, rockslides, and mudslides.

The storm system also delivered the wettest Christmas in downtown Los Angeles in 54 years, according to reporting citing the National Weather Service, underscoring how quickly conditions escalated across Southern California.

Full List Of Counties included in the state of emergency

Canada’s advice lists the following counties under the state of emergency:

Los Angeles
Orange
Riverside
San Bernardino
San Diego
Shasta

What can be disrupted

Canada warns essential services could be disrupted in affected areas, including transportation, power, water and food supplies, telecommunications, emergency services, and access to medical care.

What travellers should do

Monitor local news and weather alerts continuously
Avoid flooded roads, washes, and low-lying underpasses
Avoid hillsides and burn-scar areas where debris flows can happen quickly
Follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders
Build flexibility into hotel reservations and flight plans if travelling through Southern California hubs

Rule 2: Canadians can be photographed every time they enter and exit the U.S.

One of the most significant rule shifts now shaping 2026 travel is biometric photo collection at entry and exit points.

A DHS final rule published in the Federal Register on October 27, 2025 expands authority to collect facial biometrics for all “aliens” at entry and exit, and DHS stated the rule is effective December 26, 2025.

CBP also issued a public release describing the final rule as advancing the Biometric Entry/Exit program and confirming the effective date of December 26, 2025.

Where it can happen

Airports
Land border crossings
Seaports
Other authorized points of departure

Why travellers will notice it more in 2026

Even though the rule took effect in late 2025, its operational impact becomes far more visible in 2026 because:

more travellers will encounter it during peak travel periods
more locations may implement or standardize processes
families with children will see fewer exemptions

There are no longer reliable age exemptions for biometric photo collection

The Federal Register final rule explicitly notes that some people who were previously exempt, including those under 14 or over 79, may now be photographed at entry and exit.

This is particularly consequential for Canadian families, because it normalizes biometric collection for children, including very young travellers, during routine border movements.

What this means for parents

Prepare children for brief stops and photo collection
Keep passports and documents easily accessible
Allow extra time, especially at busy land crossings
Avoid last-minute changes to who is driving or accompanying a child, since inconsistencies can trigger more questions

Rule 3: Expect tighter screening at ports of entry, including electronic devices

Canadians should expect closer scrutiny at ports of entry in 2026, and one of the most practical issues is device screening.

Canadian government travel guidance states U.S. border officials can examine electronic devices and travellers should be prepared for that possibility, including requests for access.

A widely circulated Canadian-government tip repeated by Canadian privacy and professional bodies is to place devices in airplane mode to reduce the chance of remote data being pulled during a check.

Why this matters

Device checks can cause:

Longer secondary inspections
Missed connections and delayed onward travel
Seizure of devices in some refusal scenarios
Higher stress for travellers who arrive unprepared

What to do before you cross

Put devices in airplane mode before reaching the inspection booth, consistent with Canadian guidance
Keep your device charged and accessible (a dead phone can create unnecessary friction)
Reduce risk by minimizing sensitive material stored locally if you do not need it for the trip
Do not argue at the counter; keep interactions short, respectful, and factual

Rule 4: You may be asked to prove your trip is legitimate and temporary

Canadian travel guidance emphasizes that travellers should be prepared to answer questions and provide information at the border, including where they are staying and why the trip is reasonable in length.

In practice, that means Canadians heading to the U.S. in 2026 should be ready to show:

Evidence of residential, employment, or educational ties to Canada
Proof the trip is for a legitimate purpose and a reasonable length
Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay
The address where they will stay in the U.S.

This is not new in concept, but it is increasingly important because enforcement and consistency have become more visible themes heading into 2026.

Best documents to have ready

Proof of employment or school (recent letter, schedule, or enrollment confirmation)
Proof of residence (lease, mortgage statement, utility bill)
Return travel plan (flight, train, or a clear driving itinerary)
Hotel booking or host address with phone number
A realistic budget plan (recent bank balance or credit limit)

What often triggers extra questions

One-way flights or vague return plans
Unclear accommodation details
Carrying job-related equipment without a clear explanation
Saying you might “look for work” or “figure it out later”
Inconsistent answers between travellers in the same group

Rule 5: Extended stays over 30 days can trigger extra compliance requirements

A major planning risk for Canadians in 2026 is the 30-day threshold. U.S. alien registration processes and compliance guidance for certain foreign nationals were formalized through USCIS materials and related implementation, with a process start date widely referenced as April 11, 2025.

This matters for:

Snowbird-style stays
Long family visits
Remote-work travel (even if you are not working for a U.S. employer)
People doing extended road trips across multiple states

Who is affected

USCIS guidance and related materials indicate non-citizens in the United States for extended periods may need to comply with registration processes, which can include creating an online account and completing required steps for registration and biometrics, depending on the person’s status and how they entered.

What Canadians should do

If your trip could exceed 30 days, confirm requirements well before travel using official USCIS guidance.
Keep a clean record of your entry date, intended duration, and supporting plans.
If travelling with children, do not assume youth are automatically excluded from compliance steps, especially when trip duration is extended.

Important note for readers: entry rules and compliance expectations can vary based on traveller circumstances.

The practical takeaway for 2026 is to treat “over 30 days” as a planning trigger that requires you to verify requirements in advance, not after you arrive.

What Canadians should do before travelling to the U.S. in 2026

Use this as a practical pre-departure checklist.

For all U.S. trips

Carry your U.S. address and a clear, consistent itinerary
Bring proof of ties to Canada and proof of funds
Expect device scrutiny; keep devices charged and follow airplane mode guidance. Alternatively, take burner phones.
If your trip may exceed 30 days, verify compliance steps well in advance.
Expect photo collection at entry and exit under the biometric rule effective December 26, 2025
If travelling with children or seniors, plan for the possibility that age exemptions will not apply

If you are travelling to California

Confirm whether your route passes through impacted counties listed under the emergency
Track local emergency alerts and road closures before each driving leg
Avoid floodwater and debris flow zones, even if the rain appears to have stopped
Keep a backup accommodation plan if evacuations expand

Frequently asked questions by Canadians travelling to the U.S.

Do I need a passport to travel from Canada to the U.S., and what do kids need at the land border versus flying?

A passport is the safest, most universally accepted document for Canadians travelling to the U.S. For air travel, a valid passport is the standard expectation. For land and sea travel, Canadians may be eligible to use other approved documents depending on their status and program participation, but requirements vary by traveller type and can change by situation at the border. For children, documentation depends on how they travel and who they travel with. If a child is travelling with one parent, relatives, a school group, or without both parents, additional paperwork is commonly recommended to avoid delays. Best practice is to travel with passports for everyone in the group and carry supporting documents that clearly show the child’s identity and relationships.

Can U.S. border officers search my phone or laptop, and what should I do if they ask to unlock it?

Yes, U.S. border officers can examine electronic devices at the border, and travellers may be asked to unlock them. If you refuse, devices may be seized and you can face delays or, for non-U.S. citizens, a possible denial of entry. The Canadian travel advisory guidance also recommends putting devices in airplane mode to reduce the chance of remote files being pulled during an inspection. The most practical preparation is to keep devices charged, minimize sensitive content you do not need for the trip, and remain calm and factual at the inspection counter. Many Canadian travellers recommend using burner phones. If you are travelling for work meetings, conferences, or extended visits, keep itinerary documents accessible so you are not forced to “prove your story” using the contents of your device.

What is the most significant mistake Canadians make at the border?

From a practical standpoint, the most common preventable issue is arriving without clear proof of trip purpose, trip length, accommodation details, and ties to Canada, which can lead to delays and deeper questioning.

Will I be photographed every time I enter and leave the U.S., and does this apply to children too?

In late 2025, the U.S. expanded biometric photo collection authority for non-U.S. citizens at entry and exit, and this is expected to be increasingly visible in 2026 travel flows. The rule framework indicates photographs can be collected at airports, land crossings, seaports, and other authorized departure points. Importantly for families, age-based exemptions that previously applied to some travellers may no longer be reliable. In practical terms, Canadians should expect photo capture to be more routine and more consistent, including for children, depending on the crossing location and how the system is implemented there.

Do canadians need to register to visit the U.S.?

Yes, Canadians who visit the U.S. for 30 days or more must register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using Form G-325R online. This is because the registration rule effective April 2025, is meant for long-term visitors and “snowbirds” who were not previously covered by I-94 requirements. There are penalties for not following the rules.

Can non-residents of Canada study in the USA?

Yes, non-residents of Canada can move to the United States for studies. To do so, you must select an accredited school, apply for admission, and obtain an acceptance letter. Following this, you will need to apply for a student visa, typically an F-1 or M-1 visa, by completing the necessary forms and attending a visa interview. Ensure you maintain your visa status by enrolling in a full course of study. It is also advisable to secure health insurance and housing prior to your arrival.

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website