Are the government regulations different for Canadians?
Canadians have the same requirements to keep legal in the U.S. as other scholars. They need the same eligibility documents, such as the DS-2019 for J-1 status, I-20 for F-1 status, or I-797 Notice of Action for H-1B. They also need an I-94 to show their legal status and limits of stay. However, Canadians do not need to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate since they are “visa exempt.” We recommend passports for Canadians coming to UCSC as the U.S. government will require them in the future. For more information see http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html .
