Fact Sheet

December 2008

NEXUS

NEXUS is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The program is designed to expedite the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk NEXUS members travelling between Canada and the United States. This allows both countries to focus their efforts on unknown and potentially higher-risk travellers and goods. NEXUS members are subject to the same rigorous security standards as all travellers.

Benefits

NEXUS members enjoy the benefits of simplified border crossings whether they are travelling by airplane, car or boat:

• They save time crossing the border by using automated NEXUS self-serve kiosks at designated international airports;
• They enjoy a simplified entry process by using designated NEXUS lanes at the land border;
• They ensure smooth sailing by reporting to border services officers by telephone in advance of their arrival by recreational boat; and
• They can use their NEXUS card as an alternative document to the passport under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative when travelling to the U.S. by land and water and by air (when the card is used at a NEXUS kiosk at participating airports).

Becoming a member

• You may qualify to participate in NEXUS if you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States and have continuously lived in Canada and/or the United States for the last three years.
• You must submit an application by mail or online through the Global Online Enrollment System and then go through an enrolment process. The enrolment process takes six to eight weeks.
• There is a non-refundable CAN$50 or US$50 processing fee.
• Applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria, be admissible into Canada and the United States, and pass risk assessments performed by both countries.
• Successful applicants will receive a NEXUS card that is valid for five years.

How does NEXUS work?

Air mode

• NEXUS in the air mode is available in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Halifax.
• You can use the automated NEXUS self-serve kiosks located in the U.S. preclearance area and at the Canadian inspection services area at designated international airports.
• When you arrive at either of these areas, you can go directly to the NEXUS self-serve kiosk. You do not need to go through the primary inspection lines.
• You must stand in front of the kiosk camera to have your irises photographed.
• Once the kiosk has confirmed that the photo of your irises matches the one on file, you then follow the prompts on the screen and complete the entry process.

Land mode

• You can use the dedicated NEXUS lanes at participating land border locations.
• You must stop and hold your NEXUS membership card in front of the card reader. You then proceed to the inspection booth for a visual inspection. The border services officer will indicate whether you are to enter the inspection area or if you can proceed into Canada or the United States.

Marine mode

• You can call the NEXUS telephone reporting centre from 30 minutes to four hours before arriving in Canada, instead of reporting when you arrive.
• You can call the local U.S. CBP marine reporting number from 30 minutes to four hours before arriving in the United States, instead of reporting to the nearest point of entry.

Can children have a NEXUS membership?

• Children under the age of 18 can enrol in NEXUS; however, the consent of a parent or legal guardian is required. If eligible, children can join the program free of charge. Children can be enrolled in NEXUS even if their parents or guardians are not NEXUS members.
• Because their iris patterns are still developing, children less than one year of age are too young to have their irises captured; however, if their parent or legal guardian brings them to the special services counter at the airport, the children can still participate in the air mode of the NEXUS program.

For more information, visit our Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca or call 1-866-NEXUS-26 (1-866-639-8726).

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