Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President While the Canadian Government eliminated the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international travellers entering Canada last year, at the time of printing, all foreign visitors entering the United States are still required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they are otherwise exempted. At the beginning of 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the COVID-19 emergency declarations put in place to combat the pandemic would end on May 11, 2023. In a statement, the White House explained that it was reviewing the vaccination requirement as part of its preparation to wind down the pandemic public health emergency. In Congress, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 185 at the beginning of February; the legislation would end the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all international visitors to the United States. At this time, a companion bill has been introduced in the United States Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, but no further action has been taken. The Canadian Snowbird Association is closely monitoring both this legislation and the executive actions being considered by the White House and will notify members immediately when this policy is officially rescinded. With the lifting of COVID-19 border restrictions, we have seen significant interest from members related to the progress of our Canadian retiree visa efforts. In the latest session of Congress, Florida Senator Marco Rubio reintroduced the Canadian Snowbirds Act of 2023, S. 387 in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. This bill has also been co-sponsored by Senators Rick Scott [R-FL], Kyrsten Sinema [I-AZ] and Mark Kelly [D-AZ]. Currently, CSA representatives are working on having a companion bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, if passed, would increase to eight months the length of time that retired Canadians can spend in the United States. This represents an additional two months from the existing limit of six months less a day. Updates on this initiative will be provided to association members via email. Earlier this year, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the reopening of all NEXUS enrolment centres in Canadian airports by spring 2023. This will help the thousands of travellers who request NEXUS memberships each month to get their cards faster. There are two steps to this new enrolment option for air travellers. Canadian airport enrolment centres will be staffed with CBSA officers who will conduct the Canadian portion of the NEXUS interview, and the U.S. interviews will be conducted by CBP at Canadian airport preclearance locations when applicants depart Canada to fly to the U.S. Conditionally approved NEXUS applicants and renewing members who require an interview will be able to book the Canadian portion of their interview at one of these airports through the Trusted Traveller Programs scheduler as interview times become available. Applicants can now choose from among three options for their NEXUS interviews: 1. A joint U.S.-Canada interview at a land enrolment centre (14 locations) in the U.S.; 2. A split interview – at both a Canadian land enrolment centre (two locations) and a U.S. land enrolment centre (Canadian interview conducted at the Canadian enrolment centre and the U.S. interview conducted at the corresponding U.S. enrolment centre located just across the border at the port of entry); or 3. A two-step interview at a Canadian airport enrolment centre (eight locations), followed by an interview at a U.S. preclearance location in a Canadian airport. Existing members who renew their membership prior to the expiry date will have their benefits extended for up to five years to allow for the scheduling and completion of interviews, as required (if they have not been auto-renewed). Included in your CSA membership renewal you will find two copies of IRS 8840 Form, Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens. For those who may be unfamiliar with this form, under U.S. tax law, any international visitor who meets the substantial presence test may be treated as a resident for tax purposes. This formula and additional information have been included in the CSA membership renewal package. If you typically spend four months or longer in the United States annually, the CSA strongly recommends filing the 8840 Form by the June 15 deadline (one form per person). You are eligible to file the 8840 Form as long as you do not exceed 182 days of physical presence in the United States in a single calendar year. It is a relatively simple way to protect yourself by ensuring compliance with U.S. tax law. On behalf of Judy and myself, please have a safe and enjoyable spring. CSANews | SPRING 2023 | 11
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