Do Canadians Overstay in the U.S.? Here's What the Data Says

When it comes to border crossings between Canada and the United States, the perception is often that Canadians enjoy hassle-free, law-abiding visits. But how many Canadians actually overstay their legal status in the U.S.? While the numbers are relatively low compared to other nationalities, overstays still happen—and they’re closely monitored by U.S. authorities.

DHS Reports: The Numbers Behind the Question

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in fiscal year 2023, approximately 7.9 million Canadians entered the United States via air or sea ports of entry. Of those travelers, 23,717 were recorded as overstays, meaning they failed to depart the country before their authorized period expired. This amounts to a 0.3% overstay rate for Canadian visitors traveling by air or sea.

This low overstay rate is a testament to the overall compliance of Canadian visitors. However, it's important to highlight a key caveat in the data: these numbers do not include land entries, which make up the vast majority of travel between Canada and the U.S.

What About Land Crossings?

Overland travel between the two countries is extensive and often under less rigorous tracking mechanisms than air or sea travel. DHS has openly acknowledged that comprehensive overstay data for land entries is not yet available, which means the true number of overstays could be higher.

This lack of full visibility into land border compliance underscores a gap in current monitoring efforts. While most Canadians return home on time, even a small percentage of overstays can become a concern when millions cross the border annually.

Why Does This Matter?

Overstaying a visa—even by accident—can have serious consequences. It may result in:

• Future entry bans
• Visa revocation
• Ineligibility for trusted traveler programs like NEXUS

Moreover, with heightened scrutiny of all temporary visitors to the U.S., even Canadians—who are visa-exempt for most short visits—are not immune to enforcement.

Key Takeaways for Canadian Travelers

Know your authorized stay: Most Canadians can stay in the U.S. for up to 6 months as visitors, but the actual duration is determined by the border officer.

Overstaying—even unintentionally—can create legal and immigration problems.

Keep records of your travel: Entry and exit dates are not always stamped, so track them independently.

Land entries are not always included in overstay data—but they are still subject to immigration enforcement.

Final Thoughts

Although only a small fraction of Canadians overstay their welcome in the U.S., it’s important for all travelers to understand their rights and responsibilities. With millions of Canadians crossing the border each year, even low overstay rates can translate into significant numbers.

For those navigating complex cross-border issues or with concerns about overstays, we encourage you to seek personalized advice.

Need help?
We work closely with U.S. and Canadian immigration lawyers to assist you with your cross-border legal needs.
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