Nexus Pass

Nexus Pass

With recent changes resulting in challenges at US/Canada border crossings, Tourism BC is pleased to present this backgrounder on the NEXUS pass.

The NEXUS pass is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program is designed to expedite the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travellers into Canada and the United States. NEXUS members are subject to the same rigorous security standards as all travellers.

Benefits

In December 2006, NEXUS Air, NEXUS Highway and NEXUS Marine were streamlined into one traveller program known simply as NEXUS. Whether travelling by airplane, car or boat, NEXUS members can cross the border quickly and easily.
NEXUS meets the requirements of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative air rule. A valid NEXUS card can serve as an alternative to a passport when travelling to, or through, the United States by air at those airports where automated self-serve kiosks are available.
NEXUS membership is free for successful applicants under the age of 18.

How does NEXUS work?

Air mode

NEXUS in the air mode uses self-serve kiosks equipped with iris recognition biometric technology. NEXUS members can use these kiosks to clear the Canada-U.S. border at the following airports:
- Vancouver International Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
- Halifax-Robert L. Stanfield International Airport
- Calgary International Airport
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
Each of these eight major Canadian airports also has a NEXUS enrolment centre.

Land mode

NEXUS members enjoy a simplified entry process by using dedicated NEXUS lanes at the land border at the following locations:

British Columbia/Washington
- Pacific Highway/Blaine
- Douglas/Peace Arch
- Boundary Bay/Point Roberts
Manitoba/North Dakota
- Emerson, Manitoba/Pembina, North Dakota
Northern Ontario/Michigan
- Sault Ste Marie, Ontario/Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
Southern Ontario/Michigan/New York
- Sarnia/Port Huron
- Windsor/Detroit (Ambassador Bridge and International Tunnel)
- Fort Erie/Buffalo
- Niagara Falls (Rainbow Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge)
Quebec/New York/Vermont
- Lacolle/Champlain
- St. Armand-Philipsburg/Highgate Springs
New Brunswick/Maine
- Woodstock, New Brunswick/Houlton, Maine

Marine mode

NEXUS members can call a marine telephone- reporting centre in advance to report entry.
On April 30, 2007, the national expansion of the NEXUS mMarine mode to approximately 450 existing designated marine reporting sites was announced. Visit the NEXUS Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca for a complete list of sites.

New

As of August 2007, applicants can now apply and submit their NEXUS membership electronically through the Global Online Enrolment System (GOES). Canadians can now obtain a NEXUS application form at their nearest Canada Post outlet.
Canadians can now obtain a NEXUS application form at their nearest Canada Post outlet. This partnership between the CBSA and Canada Post will make it more convenient for Canadians to apply for NEXUS.

Becoming a member

To become a NEXUS member, you must submit an application (by mail or online through the Global Online Enrolment System) and go through an enrolment process, which 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.

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

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