NEXUS Trusted Traveler Program Guide 2024 – Cost, Locations & Tips

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Those traveling often between the United States and Canada are in luck. NEXUS allows you to expedite the process of entering both countries while also enjoying other benefits like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Becoming a member requires a $50 non-refundable application fee, but it may pay for itself after just a few trips.

Here is what you need to know about the NEXUS Trusted Traveler Program.

What is the NEXUS Trusted Traveler Program?

Officially launched in 2002, NEXUS is a joint program run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Its purpose is to expedite entry for low-risk and pre-approved travelers through customs when entering the United States and Canada via air, land, and sea.

It is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals who are also members of Viajero Confiable. In addition to a background check, you will be interviewed by CBP and CBSA officers. The United States and Canada must both approve your application.

NEXUS is one of the five United States Trusted Traveler Programs along with Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, SENTRI, and FAST.

NEXUS Benefits

Out of the five Trusted Traveler Programs, NEXUS has the most number of benefits. Here is what you get if you become a member.

Global Entry Access When Flying Into The United States

NEXUS members have full access to Global Entry benefits. By itself, Global Entry costs $100 for five years, so this is a great deal. With Global Entry, NEXUS members enjoy expedited entry through customs when returning to the United States.

TSA PreCheck Access When Flying From a United States Airport

Since TSA PreCheck is included with Global Entry, certain NEXUS members also have access to PreCheck lanes when flying from United States airports. To access PreCheck lanes, simply enter your PASSID in the Known Traveler Number Field when booking your airline reservation. You should also enter your PASSID in your Frequent Flyer Profile so it automatically fills it in for future bookings. Only U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and Canadian citizens are eligible to receive PreCheck through NEXUS. Children 12 and under can use PreCheck lanes with you even if they are not NEXUS members.

NEXUS Kiosks When Flying Into Canada

After arriving to Canada by air, NEXUS members can use a self-service kiosk to verify their identity and answer a few questions. These lines are usually much shorter than the traditional ones, so the border clearance process will be quicker. After completing the process, collect the printed receipt and show it to the border agent on the way out.

Trusted Traveller CATSA Security Line Access When Flying From a Canadian Airport

NEXUS members have access to expedited security screenings at 16 Canadian airports. For those from the United States, it is similar to TSA PreCheck. You can keep your shoes, light jacket, and belt on as well as leave small items in your pocket. You may leave approved liquids in your carry-on bags. Members must remove laptops or other computing devices from their carry-on bag, however. You must have your NEXUS card to access the special security lanes.

Dedicated NEXUS Lanes For Land Entry Into The United States and Canada

With Global Entry, you can only access NEXUS lanes when driving into the United States from Canada. With NEXUS, you can access the special lanes when driving into the United States and Canada for faster entry into both countries.

Expedited Sea Access Via Telephone Reporting

NEXUS allows those arriving by sea to call a marine telephone reporting center upon arrival to the United States or Canada. This must be done at least 30 minutes in advance of your arrival.

How Much Does NEXUS Cost?

NEXUS has a $50 non-refundable application fee. Even if you are denied, you will not get the $50 back. Every member of your traveling party must be a NEXUS member to use the service, including children. Those under the age of 18 do not have to pay an application fee.

You may pay the $50 application fee via credit card or electronic bank transfer before completing your application. Previously, Canadian Processing Centers accepted paper applications, but it is online-only now. If accepted, your membership will be valid for five years.

Starting October 1, 2024, NEXUS’ application fee will increase from $50 to $120 for a five-year membership.

Credit Cards Offering Reimbursement For The $50 Application Fee:

Prior to 2021, no credit cards offered reimbursement for the NEXUS application fee. Thankfully, that has changed, and there are a variety of cards offering reimbursement for the $50 application fee. Here are a few notable ones.

Aeroplan® Credit Card (every four years; $95 annual fee)

Chase Sapphire Reserve® (every four years; $550 annual fee)

IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (every four years; $99 annual fee)

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card (every four years; $99 annual fee)

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card ($199 annual fee)

United℠ Explorer Card (every four years; $0 annual fee first year, then $95 per year)

United Club℠ Infinite Card (every four years; $525 annual fee)

United Quest℠ Card (every four years; $250 annual fee)

See our full article on the Best Credit Cards Offering a NEXUS Application Fee Credit.

NEXUS Eligibility

NEXUS is for low-risk U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals (Viajero Confiable members). Proof of citizenship and residence are required for approval. Children under the age of 18 require parental consent to be eligible.

Permanent Legal Resident Information

To apply as a permanent resident from the United States or Canada, you must have had your status for at least three years from the date of your application. Here are three exceptions to the three-year rule.

• You are serving in the United States armed forces in a foreign country
• You have a family member in the United States or Canadian armed forces serving in a foreign country
• You have a family member serving at a United States or Canadian consular post or diplomatic mission in a foreign country

Reasons for Ineligibility

Reasons for ineligibility include the following.

• Lying on the application or intentionally omitting information
• Found guilty of a criminal offense or have pending charges or warrants
• Found to have violated customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws
• Under investigation by law enforcement
• Inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation
• Cannot prove to the CBP and CBSA that you are a low-risk applicant

Criminal offenses include drinking and driving. As the Canada Safety Council reports, Canada has some of the strictest drinking and driving laws in the world. Depending on the date and your BAC level, it may be difficult to get approved if you have a DUI on your record. Even if the United States approves your application, Canada may deny it.

NEXUS Enrollment Centers

All of the NEXUS enrollment centers are located near the United States/Canada border. Agents from both countries are located at each enrollment center, so you only need to schedule one interview. Here are the locations currently accepting interviews.

United States Locations

Canada Locations

Applying for NEXUS

Applying for NEXUS is simple, but you should gather a few documents beforehand. The application process should take you around 20 minutes, and payment is due before submitting your application. Remember, only U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals may apply.

The entire process from filling out the application to getting your NEXUS card after getting approved varies. Depending on the backlog, it can take as little as a few weeks to as long as six months. In some situations, it could take longer than six months. If you are truthful on your application and do not have a criminal history, it should be quicker.

Required Documents

Proof of United States or Canadian Citizenship

• Valid United States or Canadian Passport
• United States or Canadian Birth Certificate and Photo Identification
• United States Citizen Certificate or Canadian Citizen Certificate/Card
• Certificate of Naturalization or Border Crossing Card (U.S Only)
• Certificate of Indian Status (Canada Only)

Proof of United States or Canadian Permanent Resident Status

• Valid United States or Canadian Permanent Resident Card
• Record of Landing (Canada Only)

For Mexican Nationals

• Must be a member of Viajero Confiable
• Valid Passport
• If applicable, a valid work or study permit

Proof of Current Residency (1 is needed)

• Valid and Unexpired Driver’s License
• Bill or Bank Statement Showing Current Address
• Federal ID
• Provincial ID

Fill Out The Application Online

After gathering the necessary documents, go to the Trusted Travelers Program website. In the programs list, find NEXUS and click Get Started.

If you do not already have one, create a Trusted Travelers Account. Fill out your profile with basic information such as your name, date of birth, country of birth, and phone number. It is important to enter your name exactly how it appears on your passport.

Verify your citizenship, and choose NEXUS in the Available Programs area. As previously discussed, it will show the following requirements necessary for approval.

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency Approval
• Interview at an enrollment center at a United States/Canada land border or a major airport in Canada. You will be interviewed by both countries.

After agreeing to a background check, you can begin filling out the NEXUS application. It is important to be truthful and transparent. Lying on the application will get you denied.

You will enter your gender, eye color, height, and any other names you may have previously used. After filling out basic details, you will then add documents to prove your citizenship and proof you can enter the United States.

Continue filling out the application by entering your driver’s license information, current and previous addresses, employment information, travel history, and a few background questions. You will be asked whether or not you have been convicted of a crime in any country and not received a pardon. You will also be asked whether or not you have received a waiver of inadmissibility to the U.S. from a U.S. government agency. Again, be honest when answering these questions.

Review your application for accuracy. If everything looks good, click continue and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee.

Conditional Approval and Scheduling Your Interview

Conditional approval times vary considerably depending on the applicant and the number of other applications. Some people are conditionally approved in less than a week, while others are not approved for many months. After you are conditionally approved, you will receive an email alert. Your Trusted Travelers Account will note you are conditionally approved, and you will be able to schedule an interview. You cannot schedule an interview until you receive conditional approval. After conditional approval, you will have 30 days to schedule your interview.

There are a variety of locations in the United States and Canada to schedule your interview. As this is a joint program run by the CBP and CBSA, all of the enrollment centers are located near the northern border. Both the CBP and the CBSA will interview you, so you do not need to schedule separate interviews.

Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian with them during their interview.

Interview Tips

The interview is to verify the accuracy of your information and documents. You have already been conditionally approved at this point, so try not to stress too much. Be sure to bring all of the documents you used when originally applying to verify your citizenship, residency, and proof of address. It is better to be over-prepared in this case.

During the interview, you will be asked a variety of questions. Depending on the complexity of your application, it may take only a few minutes or it may take a half-hour or longer. Here are a few common questions you may be asked.

• Why are you applying for a NEXUS card?
• Where have you traveled recently?
• What do you do for work?
• Has any of the personal information changed since submitting your application?
• Have you ever brought something you should not have when crossing the border?
• Have you been convicted of any crimes?
• Will you be using your NEXUS card for business use as well as personal travel?

If approved, the officer(s) will take a digital photograph of you. They will also take your fingerprints and take a photograph of your irises for identification when using the kiosks. While iris recognition technology is still used, it is being replaced by facial recognition technology. They will explain how to use your NEXUS card to enter the United States and Canada.

Using Your NEXUS Card

The NEXUS card is your ticket to accessing all of the benefits the program has to offer. It is a radio frequency identification card that is also WHTI compliant. Additionally, it is considered a REAL ID, so you can use it to fly if you do not have a compliant driver’s license yet. Please note, you cannot use NEXUS if you are entering Canada with $10,000 or more. Here is how to use it to travel between the United States and Canada via air, land, and sea.

Air Entry

Entering the United States:

If you are entering the United States by air from a Canadian airport with a U.S. preclearance area, you may use your NEXUS card. You can do this by using your NEXUS card at the Global Entry kiosk in the preclearance area.

If you are flying from a Canadian airport without a U.S. preclearance area or any other airport in the world, you must use your passport or permanent resident card at the Global Entry kiosks. NEXUS members entering the United States may only have personal items and no commercial goods. See our Global Entry guide for a full list of United States airports with kiosks. Here are Canadian airports with U.S. preclearance areas.

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax Robert L Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Montréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)

Entering Canada:

NEXUS members entering Canada by air may use the NEXUS kiosks with their card. Remember, only NEXUS members can use the kiosks (that includes children). U.S. lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to use NEXUS when entering Canada by air. You do not have to complete a paper CBSA declaration form when using a NEXUS kiosk. A photograph of your iris must be in the system to use NEXUS kiosks. The following Canadian airports currently have NEXUS kiosks.

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)

Land Entry

NEXUS Land Border Locations:

Please note, one or more of the lanes listed may be United States or Canada bound only.

Entering the United States from Canada:

Use the special NEXUS lane to enter the United States at one of the land border crossings. Simply hold your NEXUS card in front of the card reader. You will then undergo a visual inspection. All personal goods will be orally declared to a CBP officer.

Entering Canada from the United States:

Use the special NEXUS lane to enter Canada at one of 21 land border crossings. Hold your NEXUS card in front of the card reader. After a visual inspection, the officer will either allow you to enter Canada or make you undergo further inspection. Ensure every person in your vehicle is a NEXUS member.

United States and Mexican NEXUS members may make an oral declaration when entering Canada. Canadian residents may use a Traveller Declaration Card (TDC). If you have commercial goods or goods that may be restricted or require a permit, you may not use the NEXUS lane. You cannot use the NEXUS lane if you have over $10,000 in currency.

Entering the United States from Mexico:

NEXUS members can use SENTRI lanes to enter the United States from Mexico. Only registered and approved vehicles are allowed to use the SENTRI lanes, however. You can add your vehicle to your Trusted Traveler Account for a $42 fee if you did not add it when you initially applied for a NEXUS membership.

Sea Entry

Use your NEXUS membership to access one of the over 400 marine reporting sites when entering the United States or Canada. If you are in charge of the boat, you are considered the boat master. You will communicate with the border officers as well as declare everyone’s goods. Every single person on your boat must be a NEXUS member to use a marine reporting site, and that includes children.

You must report your arrival via phone at least 30 minutes and no longer than four hours in advance. Those entering the United States should use this list to find the phone number to use. Those entering Canada should call 1 866-99-NEXUS.

The boat master must report the following information.

• Name, citizenship information, residency, DOB of everyone on board.
• The boat’s ETA
• The boat’s name and registration number
• The boat’s landing site and location of arrival
• Purpose and length of the trip for each passenger
• Passport and Visa details for each passenger

As the boat master, you should have everyone’s photo identification and proof of citizenship/residency. You are also responsible for declaring goods and currency.

NEXUS Vs. Global Entry

Global Entry is a popular program for low-risk travelers to expedite entry through customs when returning to the United States via air, land, and sea. It has a $100 application fee, but many credit cards provide full reimbursement. It also includes TSA PreCheck, which is one of the program’s main benefits.

NEXUS includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, but it does have a few drawbacks. While cheaper, its $50 application fee is not reimbursed by any credit cards. NEXUS also only has enrollment centers near the border. Global Entry has enrollment centers throughout the United States, which makes it a more realistic option for those living in southern states.

Global Entry allows access by land into the United States via NEXUS and SENTRI lanes, but it does not allow expedited access to Canada. NEXUS provides its members with expedited land access to both countries, which is important for those who drive back and forth often.

If you live near the northern border and travel to Canada often, we recommend NEXUS. If you do not see yourself traveling to Canada or just cannot get to an enrollment center, Global Entry is a great alternative. Either way, both programs can help to relieve travel-related stress and anxiety when flying into the United States and Canada.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts + Cheat Sheet

We recommend NEXUS to those looking for expedited entry into Canada while also desiring the benefits of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. No credit cards currently cover the $50 application fee, but it is well worth the $10 per year if you are a frequent traveler. The potential drawback is enrollment centers are only located near the United States and Canada border, so take that in mind before applying.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. 

Featured Image via U.S. Customs and Border Protection