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NEXUS

This article is about the expedited border control program. For other uses, see Nexus.

NEXUS is a joint Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection-operated Trusted Traveler and expedited border control program designed for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Members of the program can avoid waits at border entry points by using reserved lanes at land crossings into Canada and the United States (including from Mexico), by using self-serve kiosks at airports in Canada, the US and some international locations, or by phoning border officials for a marine entry. A NEXUS membership card is a valid document under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), so it can be used in place of a passport, including by air if flying between the US and Canada. However, carrying a valid passport is still recommended, in the rare event that a flight is diverted to an airport without NEXUS support.

NEXUS logo

History

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NEXUS began as a pilot project in 2000 at the Port Huron–Sarnia border crossing to reduce traffic congestion. At the time, delay-free crossing was available via two independent programs—Port Pass, for crossing into the U.S., and CanPass, for those entering Canada. Customs officials began taking NEXUS applications in October 2000, and the program began operation on November 28, 2000, using a dedicated lane at the Blue Water Bridge. Interest in the program was very high, with 550 approved and 2000 total applicants in the eight-week period leading up to that day. The pilot program was set to last six months, after which it would be put to an independent third party evaluation.[1][2] As a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the NEXUS lanes were closed and applications suspended while security measures associated with the Smart Border Declaration were implemented. The NEXUS lanes on the Blue Water Bridge reopened in December 2001.[3][4]

Additional reading:
Remarks by the President and Prime Minister Chretien on U.S. – Canada Smart Borders – September 9, 2002

NEXUS officially launched in September 2002 along with the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program in a joint announcement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Jean Chretien held at the Ambassador Bridge.[5]

Eligibility

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To qualify for the program, an applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States or citizen of Mexico who holds a Viajero Confiable membership.[6] Permanent residents of the United States or Canada may need to reside in their respective country for three years before applying for NEXUS membership.[7] A previous requirement to have resided in either country for three years has been removed to allow Canadian and American citizens living abroad, and those who have recently returned, to apply for NEXUS.[8][9] Applicants must also be legally admissible to both Canada and the United States, must have complied with immigration and customs regulations during previous travel, and must undergo a criminal history check. Additionally, if the applicant is under 18, both parents must provide their written consent or attend the interview.[10][6]

Application process

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Sample NEXUS card

NEXUS applications are submitted online via the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. The application fee is US$50, but is waived for applicants under the age of 18. Starting on October 1, 2024, the application fee increased to US$120.[11]

Applicants are screened for citizenship and immigration status, and checked for criminal history and positive matches on U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Interpol terrorism and no-fly list, United Nations databases, and the United Kingdom Police National Computer.[citation needed] Applicants who pass the initial screening are granted "conditional approval" and then must be interviewed in person by agents of both the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (typically one right after the other or at the same time). That is, members must interview with both agencies (unlike Global Entry, another Trusted Traveler Program via US Customs and Border Protection only). An interview does not guarantee final acceptance even if the applicant was granted conditional approval. After final approval, members are mailed an RFID-enabled NEXUS card, valid for five years from the applicant's birthday following card issuance. Renewal typically takes place six months prior to expiration, and some members may be selected to attend another interview to verify that they still qualify for the program.

Shortly after the announcement of the US requirement for a WHTI document for all travelers by 2009, CBP and CBSA announced their commitment to streamline the membership renewal process for the NEXUS program, and now will waive the interview for members who have not had changes to their information and have maintained their low-risk status. The United States and Canada also announced that they had begun enrollment blitzes to expedite the processing of NEXUS applications and had launched an outreach and awareness plan to increase membership in NEXUS.

Viajero Confiable Program

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Mexican nationals who are also members of Mexico's Viajero Confiable Program may apply for the NEXUS Program online as of 2016.[12] US citizens who are members of Global Entry and meet other requirements may apply for the Viajero Confiable card.[13][14]

At the 2016 North American Leaders’ Summit it was announced that by the end of 2016, "Canadian and American citizens who are members of the NEXUS Program will be eligible to apply to the Viajero Confiable Program, providing them with expedited immigration screening upon arrival at select international airports in Mexico."[15]

Use at land crossings

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NEXUS cardholders are generally screened more quickly than non-NEXUS cardholders at Canadian and United States border crossings offering NEXUS, Ready and SENTRI lanes. However, such trusted travelers are still subject to standard immigration and customs checks, and may be selected for secondary screening. This is true for any type of border crossing, regardless of which Trusted Traveler Program the person is a member.

Entering Canada by land

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A NEXUS lane at Peace Arch Border Crossing before entering Canada

Participating border crossing points typically have one lane solely reserved for NEXUS use, and some will also designate a second lane for NEXUS use on an as-needed basis. A vehicle can only use the NEXUS lane if all of its passengers (including children) hold a valid NEXUS card and nothing requiring a special customs declaration or payment of duty is being brought into Canada (see below). Members may also use Ready Lanes when entering the US from Canada or Mexico.

 
A NEXUS lane at the U.S. side of the Ambassador Bridge

Entering the US by land

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NEXUS cards are valid for RFID Ready Lanes at land crossings into the United States from Canada and Mexico.[16] Ready lanes do not exist in the opposite direction of crossing.

Along the Mexican border, NEXUS members may utilize Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) lanes when entering the US by land, but must be traveling in an approved, registered vehicle[17] (SENTRI requires members to register their vehicles into the program, which involves a thorough inspection by CBP, whereas NEXUS has no such requirement). Regardless of whether the traveler is in an approved vehicle or not, the NEXUS card is a WHTI compliant document, and may be used in any standard lane from Mexico into the United States as proof of identity and citizenship. Pedestrians can use dedicated SENTRI lines for expedited entry into the U.S. from Tijuana at the San Ysidro border crossing.

Items permitted in a NEXUS lane

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  • Alcohol within a traveler's personal entitlement (the traveler must be out of country of residence for 48 hours)
  • Tobacco products that are marked "Canada-Duty Paid"
  • Gifts up to $60 each (into Canada) or up to $100 total (into the United States)
  • Any reasonable amounts of personal effects

Land crossings with NEXUS lanes

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Use at marine crossings

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NEXUS members can report to approximately 450 designated sites in Canada[19] or land in the United States by phoning CBSA or CBP as applicable between 30 minutes and 4 hours before landing with specified information and appropriate declarations.[20]

Use at airports

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Canada

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NEXUS members entering Canada from anywhere in the world[21] may use a NEXUS machine to make customs declarations. NEXUS originally used iris scans for authentication in these kiosks, but starting in fall 2019 iris scanning has been replaced by facial recognition. If there is no facial scan on file with the CBSA the user will be prompted to scan their passport and face for subsequent use.

US and Canadian citizens may fly between the US and Canada using their NEXUS card, without the need for a passport.

NEXUS allows travelers flying from many Canadian airports, even on domestic flights, to bypass the regular security screening line and use an expedited trusted traveler line.[22] Starting June 21 2023 CATSA's new Verified Traveller program introduced additional security screening benefits for NEXUS members.[23]

Airports with customs and priority security screening

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Airports with priority security screening only

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United States

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NEXUS fits with the US Global Entry program for expedited customs and immigration clearance. It also affords users TSA PreCheck (without a separate application) for expedited airport security checks. As in all cases, this benefit is not guaranteed: all persons are subject to any kind of screening and may be randomly selected for standard security lanes (though in practice, such selection is rare).

U.S. Global Entry

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Main article: Global Entry

All NEXUS members can use their NEXUS membership at Global Entry kiosks regardless of where they are coming from, though NEXUS card facilities are only available at preclearance areas in Canada; however, in other areas, a passport or a U.S. permanent resident card is required.[24] Those using a Global Entry kiosk do not need to fill out a customs declaration card: instead, it is completed digitally on the kiosk (an option for no to all/nothing to declare appears on the GE kiosk, saving even more time, when applicable). If the member needs to see an immigration officer, they get front-of-line privileges (as with all Global Entry members).

Travelers holding a valid passport are not required to use the NEXUS card in the kiosk, but they are advised that it is prudent to carry it on their person. There is no additional cost to use Global Entry services, and it can be used for the duration of the NEXUS membership.

Canadian and US citizens flying between Canada and the US may use a NEXUS card in lieu of a passport because a NEXUS card is a WHTI compliant document.[25][26] However, Canadian citizens with only a NEXUS card can only use Global Entry kiosks at designated Canadian airports with US preclearance, which are listed below and include Global Entry self-service kiosks:[21][27]

Global Entry kiosks are also located at the following airports in the United States and internationally:[27]

* There are no enrollment centers at these locations.

TSA PreCheck

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Main article: Transportation Security Administration

Canadian and US citizens as well as U.S. permanent residents[28] who are NEXUS members may use TSA PreCheck on all participating airlines, for check-in on both international and domestic US flights, by entering the Customs and Border Protection PASS ID / KTN (Known Traveler Number) from their NEXUS card into their flight reservation information or into their frequent flyer account. Note that this only applies to flights departing from the U.S. and for select airports with U.S. Preclearance facilities (such as in Canada and Ireland). In other words, those undergoing screening in a foreign flight destined for the U.S. or Canada are not entitled to expedited screening (unless they are a member of a joint program, such as those offered in South Korea, Australia, et al.).

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In the United States, a trusted traveler card, such as NEXUS, is a valid secured document under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and may be used by itself to reenter the United States from Canada, including (in the case of NEXUS specifically) by air. Although the card creates a presumption of nationality, neither US nor Canadian law views the NEXUS card as full proof of citizenship. NEXUS cards issued after September 2010 are accepted as proof of citizenship (if the card holder is a citizen of either country), and the traveler is no longer required to carry the passport.

NEXUS and FAST membership cards are accepted as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship when entering Canada at all land and marine ports of entry. This means that citizens of Canada and the United States who are NEXUS or FAST members, and are carrying their valid membership cards, are no longer required to carry other supplementary documents such as passports or birth certificates with them when entering Canada by boat or by land, when using non-NEXUS or non-FAST lanes.[29][30]

NEXUS and FAST members who are not citizens of Canada or the United States are still required to travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence, and they are required to present them at same time to the examining officer.

For form I-9 employment verification, a NEXUS card is an acceptable List B identity document as an ID card issued by a federal agency.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Thompson, Chris (October 13, 2000). "Customs testing no wait crossings". Business. The Windsor Star. p. D8. Retrieved 25 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Cody, Jason (November 29, 2000). "New frequent-crosser program reduces inspections on bridge". Local & State. The Times Herald. p. 3A. Retrieved 25 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ McMahon, Tom, ed. (December 27, 2001). "Commuter lanes reopen at Sarnia border crossing". Local. The Windsor Star. p. A3. Retrieved 25 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "U.S., Canada sign 'smart border' declaration". CNN.com. OTTAWA, Ontario: CNN. December 13, 2001. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  5. ^ Audi, Tamara; Bennett, Jeff (September 10, 2002). "Bush, Chretien tout a quicker border crossing". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved 25 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "NEXUS – Eligibility". Cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  7. ^ "NEXUS – Amendment to the Three-Year Residency Requirement – You may now qualify for NEXUS membership". Cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  8. ^ "CBSA Customs Notice 12-020". Canada Border Services Agency. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  9. ^ "NEXUS". Canada Border Services Agency. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  10. ^ "NEXUS Eligibility". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  11. ^ "The CBSA and U.S. CBP provide an update on the NEXUS program" (Press release). Ottawa, Ontario: Canada Border Services Agency. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  12. ^ "NEXUS – Using the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) System". Cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Viajero Confiable for U.S. Citizens – U.S. Customs and Border Protection". Cbp.gov. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  14. ^ "United States Announces Trilateral Agreement with Canada and Mexico to Expand Trusted Traveler Programs". Dhs.gov. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Border Facilitation". Pm.gc.ca. June 29, 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Ready Lane Document Requirements". Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  17. ^ "NEXUS General Information". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Canada Bound Rainbow Bridge NEXUS Lane Closing January 23, 2011" Archived August 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, "Canada Border Services Agency", January 5, 2011, accessed January 27, 2011.
  19. ^ "Marine crossings". Canada Border Services Agency. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  20. ^ "NEXUS – Marine". Cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  21. ^ a b c "NEXUS – Air". Canada Border Services Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Using your NEXUS card at security". Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  23. ^ "Verified Traveller". Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  24. ^ "NEXUS Cards". U.S. Customs and Border protection. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  25. ^ "Timatic". Timatic. IATA. Retrieved 4 December 2017.[dead link]
  26. ^ Department of Homeland Security. "WHTI Program Background". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  27. ^ a b "Airports with Global Entry Kiosks". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  28. ^ "TSA Pre✓®". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  29. ^ "NEXUS Proof of ID". Canada Border Services Agency. Archived from the original on 2010-02-22. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  30. ^ Can I use my NEXUS card as proof of identification and citizenship in non-NEXUS lanes when entering Canada? Government of Canada Website on NEXUS programme. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  31. ^ "How do I create a case for an employee who provided a SENTRI, NEXUS, or Global Entry card (also known as Trusted Traveler card)?". E-Verify US Department of Homeland Security. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.

Further reading

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  • "NEXUS". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Official American site.
  • "NEXUS". Canada Border Services Agency. 2 February 2004. Official Canadian site.
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