A new bill (H.R.3070), which would allow Canadian snowbirds to stay longer in the U.S., was recently introduced in the hope of boosting cross-border tourism.
However, Canadian experts caution that the legislation may lead to numerous tax and financial obstacles.
This recent bipartisan bill, entitled the « Canadian Snowbird Act », was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of April 2025. It proposes to extend the length of stay of Canadians in the U.S. to 240 days per year, 58 days more than the 182 days currently accepted. Requirements are: age 50 or over; and ownership of U.S. real estate or a ratified lease for the duration of the visit. No additional visa application would be required, although the new 30-day registration requirements imposed on all foreigners without visas aged 14 or over – including Canadians – remain in force.
Before celebrating, experts remind us that the main tax and regulatory hurdles, linked to extended stays, are ignored in this proposal.
Tax implications in Canada
While the bill briefly mentions that Canadians would retain their non-resident tax status in the U.S., financial planners and lawyers say this would be rather complicated to implement.
In 2013, a similar bill passed the House of Representatives but stalled in the U.S. Senate. Since then, numerous similar bills have been submitted, but have never come to fruition. According to Terry Ritchie, Senior Director and Private Wealth Manager at Cardinal Point Wealth Management ULC in Calgary: « These proposals have largely failed because they do not effectively address tax complications. »
In addition, Canadian provinces have different rules that need to be addressed. For example, Ontario residents must stay in the province for at least 153 days over a 12-month period to qualify for medical coverage. In Quebec, the law stipulates 183 days per year.
In his statement to the Globe and Mail, Ritchie added that, in his opinion, « this latest version, tabled last April, will probably suffer the same fate as previous attempts ».
Elsewhere in the U.S.
It’s not just Florida that stands to benefit economically from the extended stay of Canadians. California and Arizona welcome large numbers of snowbirds from British Columbia and Alberta every year.
Ken Calvert, Republican and representative of the Coachella Valley, near Palm Springs, California, is one of the co-sponsors of this proposal. His move is backed by a Visit Greater Palm Springs study that reports more than 300,000 Canadian visitors spent $236 million in the area in 2017. According to Calvert’s press release, 7% of Coachella Valley properties are owned by Canadians.
The Canadian Snowbird Act is instigated by Florida Republican Representative Laurel Lee and has 13 co-sponsors: ten Republicans and three Democrats.
Before claiming victory, it will need the approval of the House of Representatives, the Senate and then President Trump’s signature.