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Programs: NEXUS and Global Entry make it easier for Canadian and American travellers to cross the borders of both countries. These self-service programs speed up customs formalities by sea, land or air.
NEXUS is a joint program between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It allows travellers who have been pre-approved by both countries to benefit from an expedited entry process when crossing the border.
After a thorough background check, both governments classify you as a trusted, “low-risk” traveller. This means priority access, dedicated express lanes, and quick crossings… no more border queues!
At airports, you no longer need to remove your laptop, electronic devices, or liquids from your carry-on bag, and you don’t have to take off your shoes, belt, or certain outerwear when going through security.
At borders, ensure that all members of your group have a NEXUS card, including children and infants. If you attempt to include someone who does not have a NEXUS card in a NEXUS lane, it may result in the cancellation of your NEXUS card.
The NEXUS card is valid for five years, until your birthday.
For example, if you are approved on January 2, 2026, and your birthday is May 15, your NEXUS card expiration date is May 15, 2031. Renewals can be made up to one year in advance. Therefore, you can renew your Nexus card starting from May 15, 2030.
Before going through security, look for the sign with the yellow NEXUS logo to join the express lane. With NEXUS, you can make this often tedious step much easier by keeping everything in your carry-on bag.
Next, when you proceed to cross-border customs (pre-clearance), scan your NEXUS card at the automated NEXUS declaration kiosks installed in these nine Canadian international airports:
And Global Entry kiosks with the NEXUS card, for entry into the United States.
You’ll then answer a few questions at the kiosks and with the border services officer. You can also take advantage of TSA PreCheck lanes in the United States when available (Transport Security Administration).
When you check in 24 hours in advance for your flight to or from the United States, enter your NEXUS card number in the designated field. This will give you access to the TSA PreCheck express lanes, as shown on the boarding pass below.
By land, there are dedicated lanes for travellers who are members of the NEXUS and Global Entry programs at several Canadian border crossings:
Finally, the NEXUS program can also be used for marine travel. A simple phone call to one of the marine reporting centres, located at over 450 Canadian ports, is all it takes.
When you meet all the requirements, the process is fairly straightforward, although wait times can sometimes be a bit long:
You can find all the eligibility criteria on the Government of Canada website.
However, note that you must have been a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States for at least three years. Mexican nationals participating in the Viajero Confiable program are also eligible.
In addition, you will need to have a clean criminal history.
You will need to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency:
Then other documents proving your place of residence such as:
They will also be requested during the interview with U.S. and Canadian customs.
The NEXUS program application is submitted online on the website of the Trusted Traveler Programs System (TTP). It contains several sections and concludes with the payment of USD 120.
To pay this fee in a foreign currency, use a no foreign transaction fee credit card such as the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card.
Or, a credit card that provides a statement credit when paying for the application with that card, such as the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card which gives a credit of up to CAD 100 or the CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card which gives a credit of CAD 160.
Thus, an application costing USD 120 translates to a cost of approximately CAD 165. Then, 2 days later, a credit for NEXUS automatically appears. There is no need to do anything else to receive the refund.
Here is an example of a refund when the membership fee was USD 50.
Before completing the application form, please have your documents and certain information ready, such as:
After submitting the form, the authorities will respond to you. Processing times vary greatly (from a few weeks to several months). If your application is accepted, you will then be invited to the final stage: the interviews.
After conditional approval, go to your profile and click on Schedule an interview, to see the calendar with available dates, locations and time slots.
Interviews with Canadian and U.S. customs officers are conducted separately. You can complete your NEXUS interviews at several airports and land border crossings.
At the land border, make an appointment with U.S. Customs. You will need to go for the interview with U.S. customs officers and immediately afterward, return to Canada to complete the one with Canadian customs officers (no appointment needed).
At the airport, coordinate your interview with a future trip to the United States, as you will need to go through security screening. Schedule an appointment with the Canadian side first, then request to complete the interview with the US border officers (without an appointment) when you go through pre-clearance. Allow an extra hour or two at the airport, as waiting times can be long. Also, it’s possible that agents may not be able to assist you if they are short on time or during peak hours.
Remember that travellers must complete the same type of interview, for both interviewers. You must have 2 interviews at a land border crossing center or 2 interviews at eligible airports. A mix of the two is not accepted.
There were several land enrollment centers in the United States where you could have a joint interview with both Canadian and U.S. customs officers at the same time. However, this option is no longer available, as negotiations are still ongoing between the two countries for legal reasons.
When you are summoned, they will ask to see some of your proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
Then they’ll take a digital photograph of your face, which will be used for the NEXUS card. Also, fingerprints will be required (except for children).
Some credit cards offer a refund of the NEXUS membership fee every 48 months.
Take these credit cards, for example:
In addition, they often have generous welcome bonuses.
Simply charge your Nexus membership payment to one of the credit cards above. You will see the credit appear automatically after 3-4 days.
If you do not have these credit cards, please note that this expense is in U.S. dollars. It will then be useful to use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees; here are 2 available in Canada:
With these, you will save the additional 2.5% on foreign transaction fees.
Global Entry is an American initiative aimed at their citizens. Like NEXUS, it allows pre-screened travellers to quickly clear customs upon arrival in the United States. And it includes TSA Precheck for departures from US airports.
Canadian travellers benefit from enrolling in the NEXUS program, which encompasses the other two and costs the same.
The NEXUS program is a “fast track” through customs, making it easier for Canadian and U.S. travellers to cross the Canada-U.S. border by sea, land or air.
A dedicated lane is available for them at several airports as well as land and marine border crossings, allowing you to skip ahead of the regular lines.
To enrol in the NEXUS program, you will need to pay a USD 120 fee online. This amount is non-refundable. Your application may be refused if you do not meet the eligibility criteria.
From the moment you apply until your file is validated and you receive your Nexus card, the process varies greatly, but the average is about 3 or 4 months. This can extend up to 9 months depending on your situation.
Here are the steps to obtain a Nexus card:
The Nexus card can be renewed starting one year before the card’s expiration.
For example, if the Nexus card has an expiration date of July 1, 2027, the person can renew it starting July 1, 2026.
Go to your profile on the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website. On the homepage, select Renew and follow the instructions.
The website is here: Trusted Traveler Program (TTP).
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
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