by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 12:00 PM ET, Fri May 9, 2025
After being hit with a registration requirement for stays of longer than 30 days, snowbirds to the U.S. may see some relaxing of regulations when it comes to how long they can stay stateside.
A new bipartisan bill would allow Canadians who are older than 50 years old and own or lease a home in the U.S. to stay there for up to 240 days, up from the 182 days currently allowed.
The bill, called the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, was introduced on April 29, 2025 and will likely take some months before it passes, if it gets enacted at all.
It’s not the first time such a bill has been introduced in the U.S.
Stephen Fine, President & Managing Editor of Snowbird Advisor points out that many similar bills have been introduced and reintroduced over the years, “and they never seem to go anywhere.” It’s hard to say if the timing, under the current travel climate, will work for or against the legislation.
Elise Stefanik, a Republican member of Congress for New York, states on her website that the 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 Canadian Snowbird Association has been advocating for the extended time allowance. “Many of our members would like to see this legislation passed because it would give them greater flexibility in their travel plans,” Evan Rachkovsky, director of research and communications for the Canadian Snowbird Association, told the Toronto Star. “It’s a smart policy, it recognizes the significant economic impact of Canadian snowbirds,” he added. “It’s a win-win.”
On the other hand, Rudy Buttignol, president of CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons), points out that many seniors he speaks to are cancelling both long and short trips to the U.S.
“There’s a great sense of betrayal and people just on principle are making alternate arrangements,” he told the Star. “They’re really worried about the unknown.”
Fine concurs, telling TravelPulse Canada he isn’t sure if the bill will boost the numbers of Canadian snowbirds in the U.S. or change the minds of those who are choosing to winter elsewhere for the next few years. For those who are going to the United States anyway, having the option to stay longer is likely welcome.
"I'm proud to introduce the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act because it’s a win for America’s economy,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) who also introduced the bill. “Canadian residents contribute billions of dollars each year to our small businesses, real estate markets, and local economies—especially here in Florida. 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 neighbors, and helping local communities thrive.”
The bill would ensure that Canadians would not be eligible to work in the U.S. or to access any American public assistance programs. They would maintain their non-resident tax status.
On the Canadian side, there may be issues.
“If you spend too long a period of time outside the country, you could lose your Canadian provincial healthcare coverage,” says Fine. “How that would be dealt with is uncertain at this time, and I don't know if there would be an appetite in the current environment for the Canadian government to accommodate that.”
Another issue is insurance. Finding out-of-country health insurance for 240 days could prove difficult and would likely be expensive, particularly for older adults and those with health concerns. Auto insurance could also prove to pose a problem. “A lot of Canadians bring their car down for the winter, and many insurance companies won't insure you for more than six months out of country,” says Fine. “That could potentially be an issue that would need to be addressed with a lot of insurance companies.”
Snowbirds will have to wait while the bill winds its way through the legislature before they will need to make any decisions about if they want to spend 240 days in the States.
“If this bill were passed a year or two or three years ago,” concludes Fine, “I think that the US would have seen a much bigger impact than if it were passed in this environment, when many Canadian snowbirds are considering whether to go to the US or go to alternate destinations next winter.”
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