Guide to the Nexus Card and the Global Entry Program

The benefits of the NEXUS card and the Global Entry program for travellers

The NEXUS and Global Entry programs make crossing the border between the two countries easier for Canadian and American travellers. These self-serve programs speed up customs formalities by sea, land or air.

NEXUS: How the program works between Canada and the United States

NEXUS is a joint program of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It lets travellers pre-approved by both countries go through an expedited entry process when they travel.

After a thorough background check, both governments classify you as a trusted, “low-risk” traveller. That means priority access, dedicated express lanes and lightning-fast crossings… no more lineups at the border!

At airports, you no longer need to take your laptop, electronic devices or bag of liquids out of your carry-on bag, or take off your shoes, belt and certain clothing when you go through security.

At the border, make sure every member of your group has a NEXUS card, including children and babies. If you try to bring someone without a NEXUS card through a NEXUS lane, your own NEXUS card could be cancelled.

NEXUS: How long the card is valid and how to renew it

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 expires on May 15, 2031. You can renew up to one year in advance, so you'll be able to renew your NEXUS card starting May 15, 2030.

NEXUS at the airport

Before going through security, look for this sign with the yellow NEXUS logo to join the express line. With NEXUS, this not-so-fun step gets easier because you can keep everything in your bag.

Then, when you head to U.S. customs (preclearance), scan your NEXUS card at the automated NEXUS declaration kiosks installed at these nine Canadian international airports:

• Edmonton and Calgary
• Ottawa, Toronto (Terminal 1) and Toronto (Terminal 3)
• Montreal
• Vancouver
• Halifax
• Winnipeg

You can also use the Global Entry kiosks with your NEXUS card to enter the United States.

You then answer a few questions at the kiosk and with the border services officer. Where available, you can also use the TSA PreCheck lines in the United States (Transportation Security Administration).

When you check in 24 hours before your flight to or from the United States, enter your NEXUS card number in the field provided. You'll then have access to the TSA PreCheck express lines, as shown on the boarding pass below.

NEXUS by land and by sea

By land, there are dedicated lanes for NEXUS and Global Entry members at several Canadian border crossings:

• Quebec: St-Armand/Philipsburg, St-Bernard-de-Lacolle and Stanstead;
• Ontario: Fort Erie, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands Bridge), Ambassador Bridge, Niagara Falls Whirlpool Bridge, Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Sarnia, Windsor-Detroit Tunnel;
• Alberta: Coutts;
• British Columbia: Abbotsford-Huntingdon, Aldergrove, Boundary Bay, Douglas and Pacific Highway;
• Manitoba: Emerson;
• New Brunswick: Woodstock Road.

Finally, NEXUS can also be used when travelling by sea: a simple phone call to a marine reporting centre is all it takes, at more than 450 Canadian ports.

How to apply for a NEXUS card

If you meet all the requirements, the process is fairly easy (although wait times can be a bit long):

• Submit your NEXUS application and pay the fee;
• Wait for conditional approval (which can be very quick or very long);
• Book an appointment at the airport or at a land border crossing (this may or may not be quick, depending on your availability and the location you choose);
• Attend the interview with U.S. and Canadian border officers;
• Wait for official approval (about 48 business hours);
• Receive your NEXUS card within 4 to 6 weeks of approval (according to the CBSA, checked on October 26, 2026);
• Activate your NEXUS card.

NEXUS eligibility

You'll find all the eligibility criteria on the Government of Canada website.

Note, however, that you must have been a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States for at least three years. Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable program are also eligible.

You'll also need a clean criminal record.

NEXUS: Documents required for your application

You'll need to provide documents proving your citizenship or permanent residence:

• Valid passport;
• Birth certificate and photo ID;
• Canadian or U.S. citizenship certificate or card;
• Certificate of Indian Status (Canada);
• Certificate of naturalization (United States);
• Border crossing card (United States);
• Record of landing (permanent residence in Canada) or valid permanent resident card.

You'll also need other documents proving where you live, such as:

• A driver's licence;
• A provincial or federal ID card;
• Or a bank statement or utility bill showing your current address.

You'll also be asked for these documents at your interview with U.S. and Canadian customs.

NEXUS: Submitting and paying for your application

You apply for NEXUS online on the Trusted Traveler Programs System (TTP) website. The application has several sections and ends with a payment of US$120.

To pay this fee in a foreign currency, use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees such as the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite* Card.

Alternatively, use a credit card that gives you a statement credit when you pay the application fee with it, such as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve^®* Card^® which offers a credit of up to CA$100, or the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card, which offers a CA$160 credit.

So an application costing US$120 works out to about CA$165. The NEXUS credit then appears automatically on your statement (timing varies by issuer: American Express says to allow up to 8 weeks). You don't need to do anything else to get the reimbursement.

Here's an example of a reimbursement from when the membership fee was US$50.

Before filling out the application, have your documents and some information on hand, such as:

• Your passport information;
• Your driver's licence number;
• The address and phone number of your employer(s) for the past five years;
• The countries you've travelled to in the past five years;
• And your home addresses for the past five years.

After you submit the form, the authorities will get back to you. Wait times vary widely (from a few weeks to several months). If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to the final step: the interviews.

NEXUS: The interview

After conditional approval, go to your profile and click “Schedule an interview” to see the dates, locations and time slots available.

The interviews with Canadian and U.S. border officers are held separately and can take place at several airports or land border crossings.

At a land border crossing, book an appointment with U.S. customs. After the U.S. interview, return to Canada right away for the interview with Canadian border officers, which doesn't require an appointment.

At the airport, time your interview with an upcoming trip to the United States so you can go through security. Start with the Canadian interview, then do the one with U.S. officers at preclearance. Allow an extra one to two hours, since the wait can be long and officers are sometimes unavailable at peak times.

Both interviews must be the same type: either two interviews at land border crossings or two at the airport. A mix of the two isn't accepted.

At the interview, you'll need to show proof of citizenship or permanent residence. A digital photo of your face will be taken for your NEXUS card and your fingerprints will be recorded, except for children.

NEXUS: The best credit cards for NEXUS

Some credit cards include, among their benefits, a reimbursement of the NEXUS application fee, usually once every 4 years (BMO gives a single credit, in the first year).

This is the case with these credit cards, for example (amounts checked on the issuers' websites on October 26, 2026):

They also often come with generous welcome offers.

Simply charge your NEXUS application fee to one of the credit cards above. The credit then shows up automatically; timing varies by issuer (up to 8 weeks at American Express).

If you don't have one of these credit cards, keep in mind that this expense is charged in U.S. dollars. It's a good idea to use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Here are 2 available in Canada:

• Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card
• Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card

With these cards, you'll save the extra 2.5% foreign transaction fee.

The Global Entry program

Global Entry is a U.S. initiative designed for American citizens. Like NEXUS, it lets pre-screened travellers clear customs quickly when arriving in the United States. It also includes TSA Precheck for departures from U.S. airports.

Canadian travellers are better off signing up for NEXUS, which covers the other two programs and costs the same.

NEXUS, TSA PreCheck or CLEAR: which should you choose?

In the United States, three programs speed up your trip through the airport, but they aren't all open to Canadians. As of September 2026, here's what to know before you pay for a membership.

For a Canadian resident, NEXUS remains the logical choice. It includes TSA PreCheck, as long as you enter your PASSID in the Known Traveler Number field of your reservation. It also gives you access to CATSA's Verified Traveller lines at select Canadian airports. CLEAR+, for its part, is used at TSA security checkpoints, so it only helps when you depart from a U.S. airport, where it can be combined with TSA PreCheck. Current prices are posted on the CLEAR and TSA websites.

Conclusion

Getting a NEXUS card is an excellent investment for frequent travellers. Plus, some credit cards reimburse the application fee, which makes it even more worthwhile. By planning your application carefully and understanding the eligibility criteria, you'll get the full benefit of faster border crossings. Your trips will be smoother and less stressful, whether for work or pleasure.

What is the NEXUS program?

It's a program that speeds up border crossings between Canada and the United States for pre-approved travellers.

How much does a NEXUS card cost?

Applying for NEXUS costs US$120, payable online and non-refundable. Your application can be refused if you don't meet the eligibility criteria.

How do I get a NEXUS card?

To get a NEXUS card: submit your application and pay the fee, wait for conditional approval (a few weeks to several months), book an appointment at the airport or a land border crossing, attend the interview with U.S. and Canadian border officers, then receive and activate your card (4 to 6 weeks).

How long does it take to get a NEXUS card?

Wait times vary. The CBSA says a complete application may be processed within 30 business days and that the card arrives within 4 to 6 weeks of approval; waiting for an interview appointment can stretch the process (checked on October 26, 2026).

How do I renew a NEXUS card?

You can renew your NEXUS card up to one year before it expires. For example, if it expires on July 1, 2027, you can renew it starting July 1, 2026. Log in to the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website, select “Renew” and follow the instructions.