NEXUS: Expedite Your Journey Throughout Canada and the US

NEXUS is a joint Canada–United States program designed to scale back wait instances and doubtlessly remove a few of the problem at border crossings and airport safety traces in each nations.

With some upfront leg work and a little bit of endurance, a five-year membership with NEXUS is effectively definitely worth the effort for frequent travellers.

Let’s look into the numerous advantages of enrolling in NEXUS, together with how to enroll, which bank cards provide NEXUS rebates, and why each eligible traveller ought to have a NEXUS card of their pockets.

What Is NEXUS?

NEXUS is a program for Canadians and Individuals that pre-approves low-risk travellers for cross-border entry.

Those that enroll in this system will profit by getting into the nations with better ease by utilizing automated self-serve kiosks and passing by separate border traces.

This system gives advantages to NEXUS cardholders who’re getting into Canada or the US by air, land, and sea.

Getting into Canada by Air

NEXUS cardholders can bypass doubtlessly lengthy safety traces by going on to NEXUS self-serve kiosks or NEXUS eGates after touchdown in Canada from exterior the nation.

Skipping doubtlessly lengthy traces applies to travellers getting into into Canada from anyplace on the planet, not solely from the USA.

There are 9 Canadian airports outfitted with NEXUS kiosks or eGates in Canada, situated on the following airports:

Whereas functioning virtually precisely the identical as a daily non-NEXUS arrival kiosk, NEXUS kiosks and eGates don’t require you to fill out the tedious E311 Declaration Card, required of all different passengers.

NEXUS cardholders travelling with non-NEXUS cardholders must use the NEXUS kiosk or eGate individually, as they’re not allowed to deliver a non-NEXUS companion by with them.

Whereas anybody with one thing to declare remains to be in a position to make use of the NEXUS kiosks or eGates, they must communicate with an officer after utilizing a kiosk or eGate. In the meantime, these with over $10,000 value of foreign money and financial devices to declare can not use NEXUS kiosks or eGates and should use the common gates.

CATSA/ACSTA Verified Traveller Line

The Verified Traveller line is a really robust NEXUS profit for these flying domestically inside Canada.

To not be confused with the “Trusted Vacationers Program,” a US program of which NEXUS is a component, the CATSA/ACSTA Verified Traveller line permits NEXUS cardholders, army members, and flight crew a less complicated and quicker safety screening in Canadian airports.

NEXUS members are in a position to bypass the common screening line, and as an alternative be part of the Verified Traveller line.

Eligible travellers have a streamlined expertise, and will preserve their sneakers, belts, and light-weight jackets on, preserve small objects of their pockets, and depart compliant liquids, aerosols, and gels of their carry-on luggage.

NEXUS cardholders aren’t required to take away any laptops from their carry-on (besides on transborder flights to the US), and should nonetheless move by X-ray screening.

The place Verified Traveller screening traces usually are not out there, those that would have in any other case benefited will nonetheless obtain front-of-the-line service, however should comply with common screening procedures.

For home and worldwide flights, co-travellers 17 years or youthful, in addition to 75 years and older, could accompany anybody who’s eligible for Verified Traveller entry. For transborder flights, any co-traveller could accompany you, no matter age.

Getting into the US by Air

Much like NEXUS cardholders getting into Canada, these getting into the US may bypass doubtlessly lengthy traces.

That’s as a result of your NEXUS card additionally gives entry to World Entry, which permits expedited entry upon getting into the US by air.

Whether or not you’re getting into the US by way of Canadian pre-clearance areas or from one other worldwide vacation spot, you’ll use World Entry kiosks, that are similar to NEXUS kiosks.

We’ll talk about extra in regards to the varied similarities and variations between NEXUS and World Entry under.

TSA PreCheck

As a further profit, as a result of NEXUS confers World Entry advantages, which means all NEXUS members robotically get entry to TSA PreCheck.

At the moment out there at greater than 200 airports throughout the US with greater than 90 airways collaborating in this system, TSA PreCheck permits for additional advantages for travellers flying out of the collaborating US airports to any home or worldwide location.

TSA PreCheck advantages embody using TSA PreCheck “quick lanes” the place relevant. Moreover, and positively of nice profit to frequent flyers, members don’t must take away sneakers, belts, allowable liquids, laptops, or mild jackets whereas going by screening at safety.

Word that TSA PreCheck is strictly restricted to departures out of US airports. It isn’t relevant to travellers leaving from or arriving at a Canadian airport.

Not like the NEXUS program, youngsters aged 12 and youthful could use the TSA PreCheck profit whereas travelling with an eligible dad or mum or guardian.

Kids aged 13 to 17, who should not have TSA PreCheck, could discover it indicated on their boarding move if they’re on the identical reservation as a dad or mum or guardian who’s a member of this system. In any other case, they might not be eligible for TSA PreCheck advantages.

To take pleasure in TSA PreCheck advantages, all it’s important to do is enter your NEXUS card quantity, referred to as your “PASS ID quantity,” as your “Identified Traveller Quantity” while you make your subsequent flight reservation. This nine-digit quantity is situated on the again of your NEXUS card.

While you obtain your boarding move, written on it would some type of a TSA PreCheck indicator. It is available in varied varieties, akin to TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck®. Any of those grants you the complete TSA PreCheck advantages.

 

Getting into Canada and the US by Land

NEXUS members crossing the Canada–US border by land could use devoted NEXUS lanes as a way to skip the longer traces within the common lanes.

There are 18 Canada–U.S. border crossings with designated NEXUS lanes. Not all have NEXUS lanes on each side of the borders.

Extra info, together with the hours of operation and momentary closures, could be discovered on the CBSA web site.

There are a number of essential exceptions to be aware of when making an attempt to make use of a NEXUS lane along with your NEXUS card:

• Much like getting into Canada by air, these travelling with $10,000 or extra can not use the NEXUS lane whereas getting into Canada.
• Travellers getting into the US who’re over their private exemption or entitlement can not use the designated NEXUS lane.
• These travelling with non-NEXUS cardholders can not use the NEXUS lane, regardless of the age of or relation to the opposite passenger(s).
• Travellers getting into Canada with business items can not use the NEXUS lane.
• These travelling into Canada with restricted, managed, prohibited, or allow required items (akin to firearms) can not use the NEXUS lane.

Those that ceaselessly cross the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge between Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York, with their NEXUS card could need to take further steps as a way to mix their required toll account with their NEXUS account.

Getting into Canada and the US by Sea

Whereas not as ceaselessly used as air and land border crossings, NEXUS cardmembers have particular advantages associated to reporting procedures if getting into Canada or the US by sea at over 400 marine websites.

Once more, this profit is barely relevant if all individuals on board are NEXUS members, and isn’t relevant to these carrying over $10,000 in foreign money.

For extra particular steps round utilizing these reporting advantages, discuss with the Canada Border Providers Company web site.

What’s the Distinction Between NEXUS and World Entry?

NEXUS and World Entry are each part of the Trusted Traveler Program by the US Division of Homeland Safety. NEXUS is a joint Canada–US program, whereas World Entry is a US program solely.

NEXUS will get you World Entry advantages, however not the opposite means round. NEXUS members can use World Entry kiosks when getting into the US, however World Entry members can not use NEXUS kiosks when getting into Canada.

Kids beneath the age of 18 can apply for a NEXUS membership without spending a dime, whereas there isn’t any comparable low cost provided to World Entry candidates.

World Entry kiosks can be found at 77 airports each within the US and internationally. Which means that NEXUS and World Entry members even have expedited entry advantages in different nations exterior of Canada and the US, together with at:

• Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport (AUH)
• Aruba – Queen Beatrix Worldwide Airport (AUA)
• Bermuda Worldwide Airport (BDA)
• Dublin Airport (DUB)
• Grand Bahamas Worldwide Airport (FPO)
• Nassau – Sir Lynden Pindling Worldwide Airport, Bahamas (NAS)

Each packages have comparable utility processes that require you to fulfill with somebody at an enrollment centre.

Moreover, each packages grant the aforementioned advantages of TSA PreCheck and the CATSA/ACSTA Trusted Traveller packages.

Easy methods to Signal Up for NEXUS

Eligibility

NEXUS membership is barely out there to residents or everlasting residents of Canada or the USA, in addition to Mexican nationals a part of the Viajero Confiable program.

Everlasting residents of both nation should have lived as authorized residents for at the very least three years earlier than making use of for a NEXUS card. Just a few exceptions are given for these concerned with the armed forces or on diplomatic missions in overseas nations.

Candidates should have the ability to enter Canada or the US beneath common circumstances, and candidates convicted of a severe prison offense usually are not eligible to hitch NEXUS.

Whereas there isn’t any age requirement, youngsters beneath 18 will want both all dad and mom or guardians current or a letter of consent from the dad or mum(s) or guardian(s) not current.

Curiously, whereas youngsters want further permission for membership, the dad and mom or authorized guardians don’t have to be NEXUS members for the kid to turn into a member.

Software

All functions for NEXUS playing cards are processed on-line by the Trusted Traveler Program web site. The NEXUS program used to just accept paper functions by mail, however that’s not the case.

After creating an account and choosing NEXUS, it’s important to fill out an utility, which incorporates quite a lot of private info requiring documentation, akin to proof of citizenship and proof of residency.

You could additionally fill in employment historical past, journey historical past, and reply background questions associated to potential earlier prison exercise.

After certifying that every little thing is confirmed and true, you’re despatched to a web page to pay the $120 (USD) utility payment. All candidates beneath the age of 18 are free.

After making the fee, your utility can be pending evaluate for conditional approval.

Whereas there’s a banner informing candidates that getting conditionally permitted could take 5 enterprise days, nobody appears to be getting it that shortly.

Some are being permitted after three weeks, whereas others are being advised that processing time will take 12–14 months.

In my expertise, my spouse submitted her utility in September 2024 and was conditionally permitted in July 2025. Plus, we submitted an utility for our son in March 2025, and he was conditionally permitted in June 2025.

Primarily based on these instances, an grownup can anticipate to attend round 10 months for conditional approval, whereas a baby could also be permitted quicker.

Interview

Upon being conditionally permitted, you have got 730 days to schedule and full an interview. For those who don’t full the interview throughout this time interval, your utility can be cancelled with no refund.

At the moment, you have got three choices for finishing your interview:

• A joint interview at a land enrolment centre within the US
• A break up interview at Canadian and US land enrolment centres
• A two-step interview at collaborating Canadian and US airports

Joint Interviews at Land Enrolment Centres

For those who select a land enrolment centre, you’ll have a joint interview with a Canadian CBSA officer and a US CBP officer.

There are at the moment 15 open enrollment centres in the USA to select from:

• Jonesport (Calais) Enrollment Centre, Maine
• Houlton (Woodstock) Enrollment Centre, Maine
• Derby Line Enrollment Centre, Vermont
• Detroit Enrollment Centre, Michigan
• Port Huron Enrollment Centre, Michigan
• Sault Ste. Marie Enrollment Centre, Michigan
• Worldwide Falls Enrollment Centre, Minnesota
• Warroad Enrollment Centre, Minnesota
• Pembina Enrollment Centre, North Dakota
• Sweetgrass NEXUS and FAST Enrollment Centre, Montana
• Alexandria Bay Enrollment Middle, New York
• Champlain Enrollment Centre, New York
• Niagara Falls Enrollment Centre, New York
• Ogdensburg Enrollment Middle, New York
• Blaine NEXUS and FAST Enrollment Centre, Washington

In Canada, you will discover the next enrolment centres (along with those situated in airports, that are listed under):

• Buffalo-Fort Erie, Ontario Enrollment Middle
• Lansdowne, Ontario Enrollment Middle

You possibly can join an appointment on the Division of Homeland Safety web site.

Your finest likelihood at getting a NEXUS appointment at considered one of these areas is to always refresh the web page and hope for a cancellation, though you could be refreshing for hours. You can even search X (previously Twitter) for bots that comb for out there appointments, though these appointments are inclined to disappear shortly.

Enrolment centres which can be farther away from main cities, such because the areas in Minnesota, are inclined to have extra availability, so you can think about making a visit to hurry up the method.

Cut up Interviews at Land Enrolment Centres

For those who select the break up interview possibility, you’ll do one interview on one aspect of the border, after which the opposite throughout the border.

The second portion of the interview can be robotically scheduled for a similar date.

You possibly can select to do the break up interviews on the following land enrolment centre pairings:

• Lansdowne, Ontario / Alexandria Bay, New York
• Fort Erie, Ontario (Peace Bridge) / Buffalo, New York (Peace Bridge)
• Derby Line, Vermont / Stanstead, Quebec

Two-Step Interviews at Collaborating Canadian and US Airports

For those who don’t reside close to any of the land enrolment centres, or in the event you plan on visiting the USA, your finest guess is probably going to decide on the two-step interview possibility.

With two-step interviews, you have got one interview at a Canadian airport enrolment centre, after which the second interview both earlier than your subsequent flight at a US pre-clearance location inside a Canadian airport, or enrolment upon arrival within the US.

You’ll must first schedule an interview at any of the next Canadian airport enrolment centres:

• Halifax Stanfield Worldwide Airport (YHZ)
• Winnipeg Richardson Worldwide Airport (YWG)
• Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR)
• Calgary Worldwide Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton Worldwide Airport (YEG)
• Montreal-Trudeau Worldwide Airport (YUL)
• Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport (YYZ)
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Worldwide Airport (YOW)

Then, as soon as that interview has been accomplished, in the event you select to finish the second interview at a US pre-clearance location, you are able to do so on the following ports:

• Halifax Stanfield Worldwide Airport (YHZ)
• Winnipeg Richardson Worldwide Airport (YWG)
• Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR)
• Calgary Worldwide Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton Worldwide Airport (YEG)
• Montreal-Trudeau Worldwide Airport (YUL)
• Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport (YYZ)
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Worldwide Airport (YOW)
• Alaska Marine Freeway System Ferry Terminal (Prince Rupert, British Columbia)

Alternatively, you’ll be able to full the second interview upon arrival within the US. Extra info could be discovered on the CBP web site.

When you get an appointment, the interview itself is pretty easy. In most conditions, it’s fairly fast.

Throughout the interview, you may be requested about your earlier journey historical past and why you need the NEXUS card. They’ll additionally clarify this system, take your fingerprints, and take your picture for the cardboard.

After the interview, functions can theoretically be permitted in roughly one or two enterprise days; nonetheless, I’ve heard it may well take so long as two weeks for travellers to obtain their NEXUS card within the mail.

Which Credit score Playing cards Provide NEXUS Rebates?

Whereas the $120 (USD) utility payment is actually worthwhile for frequent travellers, there are a number of Canadian- and US-issued bank cards that provide a full or partial reimbursement on NEXUS functions.

Canadian Credit score Playing cards with NEXUS Rebates

It’s value noting that CIBC is the primary Canadian financial institution to supply NEXUS utility payment rebates that cowl the complete $120 (USD) utility payment, which elevated from $50 (USD) in October 2024. Hopefully, different issuers will take notice and make will increase, too.

The CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card gives two assertion credit of as much as $200 each 4 years, to utterly cowl the NEXUS utility charges charged to the cardboard.

In the meantime, the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card and the CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card every have one $200 assertion credit score each 4 years to offset the NEXUS utility payment charged to the playing cards.

The American Categorical Aeroplan Reserve Card and American Categorical Aeroplan Enterprise Reserve Card provide assertion credit of $100 (CAD) each 4 years to cowl NEXUS utility charges charged to the cardboard.

The American Categorical Platinum Card and the Enterprise Platinum Card from American Categorical provide a press release credit score of as much as $100 each 4 years for NEXUS utility or renewal charges charged to the playing cards.

The American Categorical Gold Rewards Card provides one $50 assertion credit score each 4 years to partially cowl the NEXUS utility payment charged to the cardboard.

The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card and TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card have one assertion credit score as much as a $100 each 4 years to offset the NEXUS utility payment charged to the cardboard. As much as three further cardholders additionally obtain a $100 NEXUS credit score each 4 years.

Conclusion

Until you like ready in lengthy traces, getting a NEXUS card is a no brainer. That is very true for many who have one of many many bank cards that may reimburse you for some or all the utility payment.

Whether or not you’ve been a NEXUS cardholder for a few years, or have just lately braved the journey south of the border on your interview, you’ll be able to stay up for having fun with many time-saving advantages when you lastly obtain your NEXUS card within the mail.