After five failed attempts, Rep. Stefanik's latest Snowbird
Visa Act faces long odds and little substance
For years, Canadian snowbirds have been flocking to the United
States to escape the harsh winter months. Now, a recent legislative
proposal introduced in the U.S. Congress aims to give them even
more time to soak up the sun in Florida, Arizona, and other popular
destinations. On April 29, 2025, Representative Elise Stefanik
(R-NY) introduced the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, which
proposes extending the allowable stay for Canadian citizens aged 50
and over without visas in the U.S. from the current 182 days per
entry to 240 days within a 365-day period.
At first glance, the proposal might seem like a windfall for
Canadian snowbirds, who already make up a significant portion of
the real estate and tourism market in sunbelt states. But a closer
look reveals that the proposed legislation is far from a new idea.
In fact, this is the sixth attempt by Rep. Stefanik to
