Where 23 US and Canadian rules stand today, for Canadians who work or do business in the United States and Americans with a Canadian parent or grandparent.
Rules tracked
23In 6 areas
In force
20Each with a dated official source
Proposed or open
31 proposed, 1 open consultation, 1 not yet in force
Next date
October 13, 2026Interim final rule lets USCIS make forms online-only
The USMCA is called CUSMA in Canada; these entries follow its review cycle and the tariff measures the United States and Canada have taken against each other's goods in 2026.
In force, not renewedUS, Canada and Mexico (USMCA)
USMCA not renewed at the July 1, 2026 joint review
The United States, Mexico and Canada met on July 1, 2026 for the first joint review of the USMCA. USTR says the United States would not agree to renew the agreement in its current form, so the USMCA was not renewed. USTR also says the agreement stays in force while the open issues are worked out, or until it is terminated.
Who is affected
Canadian and US businesses that trade under the USMCA, and Canadian professionals who hold or are seeking TN status.
What to do
Treat the USMCA as in force today, and flag any long-term contract, supply chain or staffing plan that assumes its terms will stay the same.
Yearly joint reviews until 2036 unless all three countries extend
Under Article 34.7.1 of the USMCA, the agreement terminates 16 years after it entered into force, which is July 1, 2036, unless each of the three countries confirms it wishes to continue for a new 16-year term. Because the United States did not agree to an extension on July 1, 2026, the Free Trade Commission will hold a joint review every year until all three confirm an extension or the term expires, whichever comes first.
Who is affected
Businesses and professionals whose plans rely on the USMCA continuing past July 1, 2036, or on its terms staying the same until then.
What to do
Build a yearly check, timed to each joint review, into trade, contract and hiring plans that depend on the USMCA.
USTR public comments for the 2027 USMCA joint review
In a Federal Register notice published October 5, 2026, USTR opened a public consultation ahead of the 2027 annual joint review of the USMCA. Written comments go to docket USTR-2026-0595, and requests to speak at the public hearing, with a summary of testimony, go to docket USTR-2026-0596. Both are due January 12, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. EST. USTR says it will post the hearing's date and location on its website.
Who is affected
Businesses, industry groups and others that want USTR to consider their views on how the USMCA is working before the 2027 review.
What to do
If your business has a position on how the agreement affects it, prepare a written comment for docket USTR-2026-0595, a request to appear for docket USTR-2026-0596, or both. By January 12, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
In force, scope amendedUS federalEffective August 22, 2026
US Section 338 duties on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motor vehicles
Proclamations 11046, 11047 and 11048, issued under section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1338), add a 50 percent ad valorem duty on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motor vehicles listed in their annexes. After a 3-day suspension under Proclamation 11056, the duties took effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on August 22, 2026. Proclamations 11064 and 11065 changed which alcoholic beverages and motor vehicles are covered from September 15, 2026.
Who is affected
Canadian exporters of the covered goods and the US importers who enter them for consumption.
What to do
Check each product's US tariff classification against the annexes to the proclamations before shipping, and budget for the added duty on covered goods.
US import exclusions for certain Canadian goods from September 29, 2026
Proclamations 11061, 11062 and 11063, signed September 8, 2026 under the same section 338 authority as the duties above, ban the import of certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motor vehicles listed in each annex. The bans reach goods imported on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on September 29, 2026. Listed goods imported earlier but not yet entered for consumption by that date stay subject to the 50 percent duty instead.
Who is affected
Canadian producers and exporters of the listed goods, and US buyers and importers that source them from Canada.
What to do
Confirm whether any product you ship or buy appears in a proclamation's annex, and review supply contracts for goods that can no longer enter the United States.
Canada's counter-tariffs on US goods from September 8, 2026
Finance Canada announced on August 25, 2026 that from September 8, Canada would charge counter-tariffs of 15, 25 and 50 percent on products drawn from those hit by US Section 338 and Section 232 tariffs, each matching the US rate. Finance Canada says they cover $27.6 billion in imports from the US and apply only to goods originating there. The legal instrument is the United States Surtax Order (2026), SOR/2026-186.
Who is affected
Canadian importers of US-origin goods on Finance Canada's list, and US exporters that sell those goods into Canada.
What to do
Check Finance Canada's product list and the origin-marking rules for each US good you import, and price the surtax into your contracts.
DHS proposes to remove the 60-day grace period after a job ends
Under 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2), when a worker in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1 or TN status loses or leaves the job, the worker and any dependents are not treated as out of status for up to 60 days, unless DHS shortens or removes that period. A proposed rule published September 11, 2026 would delete the paragraph. Nothing has changed yet, and the proposal leaves alone the separate 10-day period after a validity period ends.
Who is affected
Canadians in the US on TN, L-1, E-1 or E-2 status and their dependents, and US employers that may restructure or lay off these workers.
What to do
Rely only on today's rule: the period of up to 60 days still applies unless DHS shortens it in a case. Plan any job change without counting on it, and send any comments to DHS docket USCIS-2026-0364. By November 10, 2026 (comment deadline).
USCIS may deny incomplete filings without a request for evidence
Under USCIS Policy Alert PA-2026-05, dated August 5, 2026, an officer who finds required initial evidence missing, or eligibility not shown, may use discretion to deny the filing without first sending a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or may still send an RFE. The guidance covers cases pending or filed on or after August 5, 2026. It is Policy Manual guidance under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8), not a new regulation.
Who is affected
Canadians and US employers with filings before USCIS, such as Form I-129 for TN, L-1 or an E-2 change of status, Form I-140, Form I-526E or Form I-539; decisions made by CBP at the border or by a US consulate are outside this policy.
What to do
File each petition with every item of initial evidence listed in the form instructions, rather than counting on an RFE to fill gaps.
In force, interim final ruleUS federalEffective August 11, 2026
Interim final rule lets USCIS make forms online-only
An interim final rule effective August 11, 2026 allows USCIS to make a form online-only once it has been open to e-filing for at least 180 days, after posting at least 60 days' notice on its website. Filers who cannot file online may ask for a waiver, which USCIS grants at its discretion for undue hardship. DHS accepts comments until October 13, 2026. As of October 5, 2026, this tracker has not confirmed any form as online-only.
Who is affected
Anyone who files USCIS forms, including employers filing Form I-129 for TN or L-1 workers and Canadians filing their own applications.
What to do
Watch the USCIS website for the 60-day notice before a form you use becomes online-only, and request a waiver early if you cannot file electronically.
TN admission rests on INA section 214(e) and USMCA Annex 16-A
DHS cites section 214(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(e)) as the authority to admit TN professionals under Section D of Annex 16-A of the USMCA. The July 1, 2026 joint review left the USMCA in force, and none of the official sources cited here announces any change to who qualifies for TN status, the list of professions, how the border handles TN applications, or TN fees.
Who is affected
Canadian professionals who hold TN status or plan to apply, and the US employers that hire them.
What to do
Apply or renew under the current TN rules, and watch each annual USMCA review for any proposal that would touch the professional category.
Form I-94 fee at a land border stays $30 for fiscal year 2027
DHS's inflation notice for fiscal year 2027, published October 1, 2026, keeps the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record fee where it was. A Canadian admitted in TN status at a land crossing, like any traveler issued a Form I-94 there, pays $30 in total, of which $6 is the land border fee. The notice's fiscal year 2027 amounts take effect October 16, 2026.
Who is affected
Canadian professionals who are admitted in TN status, or renew it, at a land border port of entry.
What to do
Budget $30 for the Form I-94 when you seek TN admission at a land crossing.
Form I-129 fees when an employer files a TN petition with USCIS
An employer that files Form I-129 for a TN worker with USCIS pays a filing fee of $1,015 by mail or $965 online; small employers and nonprofits pay $510. Employers also pay the Asylum Program Fee: $600 for most, $300 for small employers and nothing for nonprofits. Premium processing on Form I-907 costs $2,965 more. A Canadian who applies at the border files no Form I-129.
Who is affected
US employers that file a TN petition with USCIS instead of the worker applying at the border.
What to do
Confirm the current Form G-1055 amounts and your employer category on the day you file, since the schedule is reissued when fees change.
Final, in forceUS federalEffective September 9, 2026
9-11 fee now applies to L-1 extension petitions of covered employers
Since September 9, 2026, a DHS final rule has made covered employers pay the 9-11 Biometric Fee on every L-1 and H-1B extension of status petition, even one with the same employer. Initial petitions still carry the fee, and an amended petition with no extension request does not. Under Form G-1055 the fee is $4,500 for a petitioner with 50 or more US employees, over half in H-1B, L-1A or L-1B status, filing on or before September 30, 2027.
Who is affected
US companies, including US subsidiaries of Canadian groups, with 50 or more US employees of whom more than half hold H-1B or L-1 status.
What to do
Before each L-1 filing, including an extension with the same employer, check whether you have 50 or more US employees with more than half in H-1B or L-1 status; if so, add the $4,500 fee.
The Form I-129 filing fee for an L petition is $1,385, falling to $695 for small employers and nonprofits. A $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee is added when the petition asks for initial L status for the employee, or for approval to employ an L worker who now works for another petitioner. The Asylum Program Fee adds $600, or $300 for a small employer, and nothing for a nonprofit.
Who is affected
Canadian and US companies moving managers, executives or specialized-knowledge staff to a US office through an individual or blanket L petition.
What to do
Add the base fee, the Asylum Program Fee and, for an initial petition or a new employer, the $500 fraud fee when you budget each L-1 filing.
Form G-1055, in its October 1, 2026 edition, sets the premium processing fee on Form I-907 at $2,965 for L-1A and L-1B petitions, blanket L petitions included. USCIS raised it from $2,805 for requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. It is charged in addition to the Form I-129 filing fees in the entry above.
Who is affected
Employers that choose premium processing for an L-1 petition filed with USCIS.
What to do
Decide at filing whether the $2,965 premium fee fits the transfer timeline, and budget it separately from the petition fees.
IRCC says Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, took effect on December 15, 2025. Before it, citizenship by descent stopped with the first generation born outside Canada; Bill C-3 removed that limit in some situations, and anyone who was already a citizen stays one. For an American with Canadian family, the birth or adoption date decides which rule applies, as the next two entries explain.
Who is affected
Americans born or adopted outside Canada who have a Canadian parent or grandparent.
What to do
Check which side of December 15, 2025 your birth or adoption falls on before reading the rule that applies to you.
Born outside Canada to a Canadian parent before December 15, 2025
IRCC says that in most cases a person born outside Canada to a Canadian parent before December 15, 2025 is automatically a Canadian citizen. The rule also covers someone whose parent became Canadian through these changes, so it can reach Americans with a Canadian grandparent. A person adopted abroad before that date is likely eligible to apply for a direct grant of citizenship instead. Most Americans in this group need proof of citizenship, not a citizenship application.
Who is affected
Americans born outside Canada before December 15, 2025 to a Canadian parent, including a parent who became Canadian through Bill C-3.
What to do
Get a citizenship certificate first, then use it to apply for a Canadian passport before you travel to Canada as a citizen.
Born or adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025: the 1,095-day rule
IRCC says a child born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, in the second generation or later, may be Canadian if the parent was also born or adopted abroad to a Canadian, so the grandparent was Canadian, and that parent spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the birth. For a child adopted abroad, the 1,095 days must come before the adoption, and the route is an application for a direct grant of citizenship.
Who is affected
Americans who were born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian parent and whose own child is born or adopted outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025.
What to do
Collect records showing the days the Canadian parent spent in Canada before the birth or adoption, and store them with the child's birth or adoption papers.
Proving citizenship gained through Bill C-3: the citizenship certificate
IRCC says a person who thinks Bill C-3 made them a citizen has to apply for a citizenship certificate to confirm it. The application fee is $75 in Canadian dollars. Applicants in the United States keep using the existing intake procedures for paper applications; IRCC's May 15, 2026 instructions, which cut Global Affairs Canada's intake role from March 1, 2026, change intake only for applicants outside Canada and the United States.
Who is affected
Americans who may have become Canadian citizens through a parent or grandparent under Bill C-3.
What to do
Pay the $75 fee before you apply to IRCC for a citizenship certificate, and keep the payment receipt number, which the application asks for.
Final, in forceUS federalEffective August 14, 2026
FinCEN makes its narrowed beneficial ownership rule final
FinCEN's final rule, effective August 14, 2026, adopts with limited changes the interim final rule of March 26, 2025. Only entities formerly called foreign reporting companies, such as a Canadian corporation registered to do business in a US state, must report. One that registered after March 26, 2025 files within 30 days of notice of its registration. Reports leave out US-person beneficial owners and, under the final rule, US-person company applicants.
Who is affected
Canadian corporations and other non-US entities registered to do business in a US state, and their non-US beneficial owners and company applicants.
What to do
If your Canadian company registers in a US state, calendar the 30-day filing window from the registration notice and collect the non-US owners' information before you file.
Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, gave FINTRAC a new administrative monetary penalties framework when it became law on March 26, 2026. The new rules govern violations that occur after that date; FINTRAC keeps its old policy and amounts for violations that occurred entirely before it. FINTRAC says maximum penalties can now reach up to 40 times the previous limits.
Who is affected
Businesses in Canada with FINTRAC obligations, including Canadian subsidiaries of US groups.
What to do
Review your compliance program and records against FINTRAC's current requirements, since violations after March 26, 2026 fall under the new framework.
FINTRAC universal enrolment for covered businesses
Universal enrolment is one of the changes the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act makes to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, which FINTRAC administers. Once in force, it would require every business subject to that Act that does not already have to register with FINTRAC to enroll. FINTRAC says the start date will follow regulations not yet developed or published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
Who is affected
Businesses in Canada that have FINTRAC obligations but are not currently required to register with FINTRAC.
What to do
No enrolment is due yet; watch the Canada Gazette, Part II for the regulations that will set when enrolment starts.
Canada's sanctions listings change often: screen against the consolidated list
Canada adds names to its sanctions regulations regularly. In September 2026 alone it listed eight more individuals under the Russia regulations (SOR/2026-188) and five individuals and five entities under the Iran regulations. Global Affairs Canada publishes every person and entity listed under the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act in one consolidated list, updated September 22, 2026.
Who is affected
Canadian businesses, and US businesses with Canadian operations, that deal with foreign customers, suppliers or investors.
What to do
Screen counterparties against the consolidated list, and against US lists for US-facing business, and screen again whenever the list changes.
This tracker is general information, not legal advice. Each entry links its official source and shows when it was last checked. Offices: Toronto and New York.
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