WASHINGTON – Florida’s U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott think Canadians should be allowed to stay in the United States longer than the current mandatory six months, so they introduced the Canadian Snowbirds Act (S. 2507) in Congress.
The legislation would allow some Canadian citizens to spend up to eight months per year vacationing in the United States without penalty. According to the Canadian Embassy, Canadians who visit Florida contribute more than $6.5 billion each year to the state’s economy.
“Tourism is a crucial part of Florida’s booming economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs all across the Sunshine State,” Rubio said in a statement. “This bill will be a huge boost to our state’s economy by allowing the millions of Canadian snowbirds who visit Florida each year to stay two months longer.”
To become law, the Senate would have to pass S. 2507 and send it to the House for approval. If that happened, it would then need President Trump’s signature to become law.
The bill would allow Canadian citizens over age 50 who own or rent a U.S. residence to remain in the country for up to 240 days each year. The bill prohibits qualifying visitors from working for American employers or seeking public assistance.
Under current laws, Canadians may remain in the United States for up to six months per year. If they stay more than six months, they’re considered U.S. residents for tax purposes and required to pay U.S. federal income taxes on any and all income they earn that year – regardless of which country it was earned in.
According to VISIT Florida, approximately 3.5 million Canadians visited Florida in 2018 alone. The legislation is endorsed by VISIT Florida and the Canadian Snowbird Association.
“This bill is a win-win for people on both sides of the border,” says Karen Huestis, president of Canadian Snowbird Association
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