Editor’s Note: This is a recurring article, updated with new data and offers.
Eligible Trusted Traveler travelers expedite their border crossings at U. S. airports, land and sea ports. U. S.
There is a lesser-known program, Nexus, for travelers crossing the Canada-United States border. What’s even less well-known is that Nexus also includes a Global Entry subscription (and therefore TSA PreCheck) for just $50 more.
Wondering if Nexus is the program for you? Here’s everything you want to know.
U. S. citizens, legal permanent citizens of the United States, Canadian citizens, legal permanent citizens of Canada, and Mexican nationals who belong to Mexico’s equivalent program (Trusted Traveler) are eligible for Nexus. Minors under 18 years of age must have the consent of a parent or legal parent to participate.
Nexus offers pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada by air, car or ship. Utilizes dedicated Nexus processing lanes at designated access ports along the northern border; Nexus kiosks when entering Canada by air; and at Global Entry kiosks upon arrival at one of Canada’s nine pre-clearance airports in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Alberta. Global Entry cars provide Nexus access upon entering the United States, but are not valid for entering Canada through Nexus Lanes or kiosks.
Travelers can sign up for an online Nexus club, after which they will be asked to schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center.
There are currently 15 records in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington and Canada.
Starting in 2023, the processing time for Nexus will be 18-20 months, so plan accordingly.
Like other Trusted Traveler programs, a Nexus club is valid for five years. Adult applicants will be required to pay a $50 non-refundable application fee.
The Canada Border Services Agency and U. S. Customs and Border Protection are working on the Border Services Agency. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security recommends that Nexus holders renew their contract one year before it expires.
Once approved, Nexus program members receive a member ID card in the mail that they can use in Canada or the United States at designated Nexus tickets.
To activate your Nexus card, simply log in to your Trusted Traveler account and click on the “Activate Membership Card” button in the “Program Memberships” section.
Once your club is active, plan to bring your card (plus your passport and/or evidence of permanent residency) when you travel. CBP recommends this to ensure that you can provide good enough evidence of citizenship or permanent resident status if necessary.
If you lose your Nexus card, a $25 replacement will apply.
Similar to Global Entry, conditionally approved Nexus applicants can pass interview-level arrival registration upon returning to the United States by air, adding from CBP-designated preclearance locations.
This procedure allows conditionally approved applicants to complete their Global Entry and/or Nexus registration interview as part of the immigration procedure upon arrival at the airport after a trip abroad. To do this, look for signs at the airport indicating “Check In” lanes. Also make sure your flight arrives at the times when interviews are offered.
A CBP officer will complete your Global Entry interview and eligibility inspection.
Since Nexus is a jointly administered traveler program, applicants interview with CBP and CBSA for approval.
This comes to a two-step process. First, applicants will need to complete an interview with the CBSA at Canadian airport check-in centres to complete the Canadian portion of the interview process. Then, they will need to speak with CBP at the designated arrival registration locations.
All conditionally approved applicants could potentially complete their CBP interview through check-in at any US airport or preclearance location, regardless of whether they have completed the CBSA portion of the interview.
Check-in interviews are presented on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of relevant airport staff.
As mentioned above, a Nexus subscription includes access to Global Entry and therefore TSA PreCheck security checkpoints. TSA PreCheck is an expedited security program operated through the Transportation Security Administration for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. TSA PreCheck users pass through TSA PreCheck compromised security lines at more than two hundred U. S. airports. They are in the U. S. without their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and soft jackets.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, by meeting the Nexus eligibility criteria and sharing your passport data and fingerprints at your enrollment interview, you will be eligible for Global Entry. The challenge is that this is most favorable to Americans who live near the Canadian border, since only border locations will accept applicants for an interview.
The same regulations apply to any other TSA PreCheck user, with or without Nexus.
Once registered, you’ll want to upload your known flyer number to your airline booking. Then, when you access your boarding pass, you see a TSA PreCheck indicator. Presenting your boarding pass with this symbol is the only way to access the TSA PreCheck lane.
Many credit cards offer cardholders up to $100 in credit reimbursement for application fees related to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry (and therefore Nexus), including:
The value of Global Entry will increase to $120 in October, so check to see if your credit card issuer will accumulate credits accordingly.
Eligible travelers can enjoy Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and Nexus for part of the value of a Global Entry membership. If you are a US, Mexican or Canadian citizen crossing the US-Canada border, this program may be for you. .
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