NEXUS: Information and Application Form

Table of Contents

• About NEXUS
• Program benefits
• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
• Eligibility
• Application
• Online Application
• Paper application
• Fees
• Method of payment for online applications
• Methods of payment for paper applications
• Mandatory documents
• Citizenship and admissibility
• Current place of residence
• Penalties for providing false information
• Application processing
• The interview
• Membership renewals
• Renewal fee
• Need more information?

About NEXUS

NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossing for members while enhancing security.

To become a member of this program, you must do the following:

• submit an application and go through a registration process;
• satisfy the eligibility criteria;
• be admissible to Canada and the United States; and
• pass risk assessments by both countries.

Program benefits

If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a membership identification card to use when entering Canada or the United States at all participating NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.

Membership will enable you to save time by:

• using automated self-serve kiosks in designated areas at participating international airports;
• using dedicated lanes at the land border; and
• reporting to border officers by phone in advance of your arrival in the marine mode of transportation.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

For Canadian and U.S. citizens, NEXUS membership cards also fulfill the travel document requirements of the WHTI. A NEXUS membership card may be used as an alternative to a passport when entering the United States by air when used at kiosks at participating airports or at all land and water ports of entry. For detailed information on WHTI visit www.cbsa.gc.ca and www.dhs.gov.

Eligibility

You may qualify to participate in NEXUS if you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States and have lived in Canada and/or the United States continuously for the last three years.

You may not qualify if you:

• are inadmissible to Canada or the United States under applicable immigration laws;
• provide false or incomplete information on your application;
• have been convicted of a criminal offence in any country for which you have not received a pardon (for U.S. background checks, you may be questioned about full criminal history, including arrests and pardons, which may exclude you from NEXUS); or
• have been found in violation of customs or immigration law.

Both Canada and the United States must approve your application for you to become a member of NEXUS. If you do not meet all of the requirements, your application will be denied.

Application

Your participation in NEXUS is strictly voluntary. If you choose to complete the application form, the information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility. Please refer to the Canadian Privacy Act and the U.S. Privacy Act, both of which can be found at www.nexus.gc.ca.

Each applicant must complete a separate form.

The application process to determine eligibility takes approximately six to eight weeks.

Online Application

You can apply to NEXUS online using the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES), which is operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. See www.nexus.gc.ca for details.

During the online application process, some of the information requested will be designated as optional. Your eligibility to participate in NEXUS will not be affected by whether you provide the optional information.

Paper application

Complete the attached NEXUS application and mail it, together with the processing fee, to the address indicated on the form.

Fees

For each five-year NEXUS membership, there is a non-refundable processing fee. Children under the age of 18 who apply, and are eligible, are admitted to the program free of charge.

Method of payment for online applications

Online applications can be paid only by credit card and are processed only in U.S. funds.

Methods of payment for paper applications

• by credit card - All credit card payments will be processed only in Canadian funds.
• in Canadian funds - These payments can be made by certified cheque or money order.
• in U.S. funds - These payments can be made by certified cheque drawn on a U.S. bank account or by an international money order.
• by personal cheque - Personal cheques from Canadian bank accounts are accepted.
• by certified cheque - All certified cheques and money orders must be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

Mandatory documents

You must provide acceptable proof of your citizenship and admissibility, and a second document to demonstrate your current place of residence.

If applying by mail, do not send original documents as they will not be returned to you. Please send only photocopies with your completed application form.

Whether you have applied online or by mail, you will need to bring the original copies of your mandatory documents to the NEXUS enrolment centre for your final processing interview.

Citizenship and admissibility

Current place of residence

All applicants must demonstrate proof of their current place of residence by providing a photocopy of one of the following documents:

• a valid driver's licence;
• another provincial identification card;
• another federal identification card; or
• any document with a current address (e.g. a current bill, invoice or bank statement).

If the application is for a child under the age of 18 who will be travelling with a non-custodial adult, a photocopy of supporting documents, such as a court order or a letter of authorization, must be attached to the application.

Penalties for providing false information

If you do not provide true, accurate and complete information in your NEXUS application, your membership may be denied. There are severe penalties for knowingly and wilfully falsifying or concealing material facts, or using any false document in the application. Making a false representation may also result in the denial of any other application you may make for any benefit under U.S. immigration laws.

Application processing

CBSA and U.S. CBP officers will check the information you have provided in your application to make sure you meet the requirements of customs and immigration legislation. Criminal information databases will also be used.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and your application is approved, you will receive a letter inviting you to visit a NEXUS enrolment centre to complete the enrolment process. If you applied online, you will receive notification by e-mail. A complete list of NEXUS enrolment centres can be found online at www.nexus.gc.ca.

You will be notified if you do not meet the eligibility criteria.

The interview

Your membership is finalized at a NEXUS enrolment centre. When you report to the enrolment centre, a further review of your information and a full interview will occur.

• If you currently reside in Canada, you will be interviewed by a U.S. CBP officer.
• If you currently reside in the United States, you will be interviewed by a Canada Border Services Agency officer.

The officer will do the following:

• review the information you provided on your application form to make sure it is still valid;
• verify your identity and review original documents such as proof of citizenship and residency documents, work permits and visas;
• ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements for membership; and
• take your fingerprints.

If you are accepted into NEXUS, the officer will do the following:

• explain the terms and conditions of NEXUS;
• take a digital photograph of your irises to verify your identity each time you enter Canada or the United States in the air mode of transportation using the self-serve kiosks;
• take a digital photograph of your face;
• explain the Traveller Declaration Card process (for Canadian residents only); and
• explain how to cross the border in the land, air and marine modes of transportation using your NEXUS card, and where possible, show you how to use the self-serve kiosks in air mode.

Membership renewals

In order to ensure uninterrupted passage privileges, you must re-apply to the NEXUS program approximately three months before your membership expires. Your membership in NEXUS is valid for five years.

Renewal fee

For each five-year NEXUS membership, there is a non-refundable processing fee. Membership renewal for children under the age of 18 is free of charge.

Need more information?

For more information about NEXUS, call 1-866-NEXUS26 (1-866-639-8726) or visit the NEXUS Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca.