How to Apply for a NEXUS Card for Faster Canada-U.S. Border Crossing

Who is eligible to apply for a NEXUS card?

NEXUS is a joint Canada-U.S. trusted traveller program for people who have been pre-screened and assessed as low risk by both countries.

The program currently accepts:

• Canadian citizens;
• U.S. citizens;
• Canadian permanent residents;
• U.S. permanent residents;
• Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable program.

Every applicant, including a child, needs their own NEXUS membership to use NEXUS procedures.

Do permanent residents have to wait before applying?

Generally, yes. A permanent resident must have been a legal resident of Canada or the United States for at least 3 years before applying.

CBSA lists limited exceptions. The three-year rule does not apply in specified circumstances involving a person serving in the U.S. armed forces abroad or qualifying family members of Canadian or U.S. military personnel or diplomatic or consular personnel serving abroad.

What can make you ineligible for NEXUS?

Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident does not automatically qualify you. Your application must be approved by both CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

To qualify, you must:

• be admissible to both Canada and the United States under their immigration laws;
• provide true and complete information;
• meet the program's low-risk requirements;
• not have disqualifying customs, immigration or agriculture violations.

CBSA also states that a person may be ineligible if they have been convicted of a criminal offence in any country for which a pardon was not granted. The authorities review each application and may ask questions about arrests, charges or convictions during the assessment.

What documents do you need to apply for NEXUS?

You need documents proving your citizenship or permanent resident status and your current residence.

Officially accepted citizenship or status documents include, depending on your circumstances:

• a valid passport;
• a birth certificate together with photo identification;
• a Canadian citizenship certificate or citizenship card;
• a Canadian Certificate of Indian Status;
• a U.S. certificate of citizenship;
• a U.S. certificate of naturalization;
• a U.S. border crossing card;
• a Canadian Record of Landing or valid permanent resident card.

An eligible Mexican Viajero Confiable member must provide a valid passport and meet the applicable entry requirements.

What counts as proof of residence?

CBSA accepts documents such as:

• a valid driver's licence;
• a provincial identification card;
• a federal identification card;
• a utility bill showing your current address;
• a bank statement showing your current address.

If you are working or studying in Canada or the United States and your status requires it, you must also provide the relevant work or study permit.

How much does a NEXUS application cost?

The current NEXUS application fee is USD 120. The fee is non-refundable, including if the application is ultimately refused.

For an applicant under age 18, the application fee is waived when their parent or legal guardian is also applying or is already a NEXUS member.

The official application system accepts major credit cards. A direct transfer from a bank account is also available for U.S. bank accounts.

Where do you apply for NEXUS?

NEXUS applications are submitted online only. CBSA no longer accepts paper NEXUS application forms.

Use the official Trusted Traveller Programs system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

You need a Login.gov account to access the application. After signing in, select the NEXUS program and complete the online application.

What happens after you submit the application?

Your information is reviewed by both countries. CBSA and U.S. CBP conduct separate risk assessments and check relevant criminal, immigration, customs and other enforcement databases.

You should monitor your Trusted Traveller Programs account rather than submitting a duplicate application. When the first stage is approved, your account will indicate that you can proceed to the enrolment interview.

How long does NEXUS processing take?

CBSA's current service standard is to tell a complete applicant whether they are eligible to proceed to the interview stage within 30 business days.

This is not a guaranteed total time from application to receiving a card. CBSA notes that appointment availability is separate from application assessment and that new applicants can experience a significant interview backlog.

The total process therefore depends on both the background assessment and how quickly you can obtain a suitable interview appointment.

What does conditional approval mean?

Conditional approval means that your application has passed the initial assessment sufficiently for you to move to the interview stage. It is not final NEXUS membership approval.

You must still complete the required interview and satisfy both Canadian and U.S. border authorities before the membership can be finalized.

How does the NEXUS interview work?

After conditional approval, use the Trusted Traveller Programs system to arrange an available NEXUS interview.

Current enrolment arrangements include a joint CBSA and CBP interview at participating land enrolment centres in the United States. Canada also offers a two-step airport process in which the Canadian portion is completed by appointment at a participating Canadian airport enrolment centre and the U.S. portion is completed with CBP through an available preclearance or enrolment-on-arrival process.

Always follow the interview options displayed in your TTP account because locations and appointment availability can change.

What should you bring to the NEXUS interview?

Bring the original versions of your supporting documents. Officers may review proof of citizenship or permanent residence, work permits, visas and other documents relevant to your application.

During the interview, CBSA and CBP officers will:

• verify your identity;
• check that your application information is still accurate;
• review your original supporting documents;
• confirm that you continue to meet eligibility requirements;
• explain the NEXUS terms and conditions;
• take fingerprints and a facial photograph for the membership process;
• explain how NEXUS is used for land, air and marine travel.

How does a child apply for NEXUS?

Children can become NEXUS members, and their parents or guardians do not necessarily have to be NEXUS members for the child to be eligible. However, every child needs a separate application and their own interview appointment.

A minor must be accompanied to the interview by one or both parents, a legal guardian or another adult as allowed by the official rules.

If only one parent with custody attends, or someone other than the parent or legal guardian accompanies the child, a consent letter may be required from the other parent or legal guardian. Relevant custody documents may also be required.

When will you receive the NEXUS card?

After the interview, continue checking your Trusted Traveller Programs account for the final status.

CBSA states that approved applicants can expect to receive the physical card within approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Do not assume that completing the interview means the application has been approved immediately. Check the official account for your final membership status.

Do you have to activate the NEXUS card?

Yes. Before using the card, sign in to the Trusted Traveller Programs system and follow the card-activation instructions.

An unactivated card should not be used for NEXUS border procedures.

How long is NEXUS membership valid?

A NEXUS membership is valid for 5 years.

Renewal is a separate process. This guide covers a first application rather than renewal or replacement of an existing NEXUS card.

What does a NEXUS card let you do?

NEXUS provides expedited processing at participating Canadian and U.S. border facilities. Depending on the route, benefits include dedicated land-border lanes, NEXUS kiosks and eGates in Canada, Global Entry processing at participating Canadian preclearance airports, and expedited marine reporting procedures.

NEXUS members may also receive expedited airport security screening benefits where the applicable Canadian or U.S. program conditions are met.

NEXUS does not mean you are exempt from inspection. Border officers can inspect a NEXUS member at any time.

Does NEXUS replace your passport or immigration documents?

No. CBSA instructs NEXUS members to continue travelling with their passport or proof of permanent resident status in case they are required to prove their citizenship or status.

You must also possess any immigration document that applies to your trip, such as a visa, work permit or electronic travel authorization when required.

Use the official CBSA NEXUS travel instructions before relying on the card for a particular route.

Can you use a NEXUS lane with a non-member passenger?

No. When using dedicated NEXUS procedures by vehicle or boat, everyone travelling with you must be a NEXUS member, regardless of age.

A non-member cannot accompany you through a NEXUS kiosk or eGate. If someone in your travelling party is not a member, use the normal border-processing route instead.

Common NEXUS application mistakes to avoid

• Using a commercial third-party website instead of the official Trusted Traveller Programs system.
• Paying additional fees to a company that claims it can speed up government processing.
• Leaving out previous addresses, employment details, travel history or background information requested by the application.
• Providing information that differs from your passports or immigration documents without explaining the discrepancy where required.
• Failing to disclose an arrest, charge, conviction or customs or immigration issue when the application requires it.
• Assuming conditional approval means you can already use NEXUS lanes.
• Arriving at the interview without the original supporting documents.
• Forgetting that every family member needs a separate membership and interview appointment.
• Failing to activate the physical card before using it.

Do you need a company to submit the NEXUS application?

No. CBSA specifically warns that private, for-profit businesses offer NEXUS application assistance for additional fees, but using a third party does not speed up the application.

You remain responsible for all information submitted in your name. Third-party involvement can lead to extra costs, mistakes, delays or even refusal. Apply directly through the official TTP system whenever possible.