General News

Frequent border crosser? Apply for the NEXUS program

February 2, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

If you are a frequent traveller who routinely crosses the Canada/U.S. border for business, sports activities, or recreation, you probably don’t look forward to long line-ups at border crossings.

The NEXUS program helps speed up the process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers. The program is jointly run by the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A NEXUS membership is valid for five years, and if you are travelling as a family, everyone needs their own card to benefit. This benefit is for people crossing the border by land, air or boat.

The program will help you avoid long line-ups by using self-serve NEXUS kiosks and eGates at nine major international airports in Canada, and dedicated vehicle lanes at 21 designated land border crossings. This includes NEXUS eGates at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie and the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.

You can also receive expedited clearance through security screening lines at major and select mid-sized airports in Canada without kiosks or eGates.

When entering the U.S., you can benefit from Global Entry kiosks at eight Canadian airports, dedicated lanes at 16 land border crossings, and faster processing at all marine crossings.

Once you have a NEXUS membership, you are required to comply with all customs and immigration laws and regulations. Failure to comply with all conditions will result in removal from the program.

To apply for the NEXUS program, you must submit your application online and pay the application processing fee through the Trusted Traveller Programs. Once received, you will be required to attend an in-person interview.

To apply, you must be admissible to Canada and the U.S. under immigration laws, provide true and complete information on your application, and not have violated customs, immigration, or agriculture laws. You may not be eligible for NEXUS if you have been convicted of a criminal offence in any country for which a pardon was not granted.

Your application must be approved by both the CBSA and U.S. Customers and Border Protection. There will be a risk assessment to determine whether you meet all requirements to participate in NEXUS.

You will need to provide proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.

The NEXUS program will provide a faster border crossing for citizens in good standing who frequently visit the U.S.

You can apply for the NEXUS program through the Government of Canada website.

Readers Comments (0)