Nexus Card

For US Travel Into Canada

What is a Nexus Card? Do you need one? What if you already have a passport to enter Canada?

The information on this page is sourced from the Canadian Citizendship and Immigration website, and should not be considered as official representation of Canadian Government regulations. This is general information only, intended to provide awareness to those who wish to travel to Canada. Please consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Website for full Canada country entrance requirements.

NEXUS was established in 2002 as part of the Shared Border Accord, to create open channels of dialogue and working groups committed to the mutual goals of securing our shared border, while promoting the legitimate trade and travel that is vital to both economies.

NEXUS is a joint Canada-United States program that is designed to let pre-approved travelers cross borders between the United States and Canada more quickly. The program is operated by the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and is also known as the frequent travelers program.

NEXUS is an integrated program with one application and fee submission providing expedited passage in the air, land and marine modes of travel. Each approved member will receive a radio frequency identification card. However, individuals who are interested in air travel must undergo an iris capture to have their membership accepted at airports.

A membership card is a valid document under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative when used at a NEXUS kiosk.

Members of the Nexus program can avoid longer waits at border entry points by using self-serve kiosks to enter into Canada or the U.S. These self-service kiosks can be found at airports, in reserved lanes at land border crossings, or by phoning border officials when entering by water.

Currently only citizens and permanent residents of the United States or Canada are eligible. Applicants must have lived in the United States or Canada on a continuous basis for the last three years, and those 18 years of age and over must pay a fee for this.

Authorities run background checks, check applicants' documentation, take photographs, fingerprints, and digital iris photographs. Those who pass these checks are issued a NEXUS card, which is valid for five years from the applicant's birthday following the card being issued.

Things To Consider

If you are a NEXUS cardholder you are still subject to standard border checks and procedures. When crossing Canada - US border in a vehicle, you can only use the NEXUS lane if everyone in the vehicle (including children) has a card. In addition, cardholders declaring certain items must use a regular lane, and are prohibited from taking certain items across the border.

Vehicles that use dedicated lanes at land border crossings are required to declare all items purchased using a Travelers Declaration Card (TDC). A TDC is linked to the NEXUS user's credit card, and taxes and duties are billed automatically. When passing through the border the TDC card is placed into a special mailbox which is located directly before the customs booth and gate, and amounts that a vehicle may declare on a TDC is limited.

The NEXUS card program is a partnership between the Canada and U.S. border services, but NEXUS cards are issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

To participate, both the United States and Canada must approve an individual's application. For toll-free information (U.S and Canada) call 1-866- NEXUS 26 (1-866-639- 8726).

For a complete list of eligibility requirements and locations, visit www.nexus.gov or www.nexus.gc.ca

NEXUS Fees

The non-refundable application fee for NEXUS is $50 US that can be paid by direct debit from a U.S. bank account or credit card via the Global On-Line Enrollment System. There is a non-refundable $25 U.S. application fee to replace a NEXUS card that is damaged, lost or stolen.

The non-refundable application fee for NEXUS is $50 CN that can be paid by check, credit card, or money order to the Canada Border Services Agency for the processing of an application submitted by regular mail.

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