Trusted Traveler Program
NEXUS Card Application & Interview Guide 2026
Complete guide for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents to expedite border crossings into the US and Canada — NEXUS benefits, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, $50 USD fee, TTP portal, and joint CBSA/CBP interview procedures.
3-in-1 Border Protection Membership: A NEXUS card gives you expedited crossing lanes at Canadian and US land borders, facial recognition kiosks at 9 major Canadian international airports, PLUS full access to TSA PreCheck in the US and Global Entry kiosks at US airports!
NEXUS Program Pricing & Key Features
| Feature | Details & Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $50 USD per adult for 5 years (100% FREE for children under 18) |
| Eligible Applicants | Canadian citizens, Canadian Permanent Residents, US citizens, US Lawful Permanent Residents |
| TSA PreCheck Access | Included automatically via 9-digit PASS ID (Known Traveler Number) |
| Global Entry Access | Included automatically at US Customs preclearance and international arrivals |
| Card Validity | 5 Years (expires on your birthday 5 years after issue date) |
Step-by-Step NEXUS Application Workflow
- Apply via TTP Portal: Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account at
ttp.dhs.gov, fill out your 5-year employment and residential history, and pay the $50 USD non-refundable fee. - Conditional Approval: Background checks by CBSA and US CBP take between 2 to 8 weeks. Once approved, status changes to "Conditionally Approved".
- Schedule Joint Interview: Book your interview at a Canadian Airport Enrollment Centre (2-step split interview) or a Land Border Enrollment Centre (joint single interview at locations like Peace Bridge, Thousand Islands, or Blaine).
- Attend Interview: Bring valid passport, PR card, proof of address, and conditional approval letter. Iris/facial biometric scans and fingerprinting will be conducted.
- Activate Card Online: Card arrives by mail within 10–14 business days. Log into your TTP account to activate the card before first border use.
Frequently Asked Questions (NEXUS)
Yes! Canadian Permanent Residents are fully eligible to apply for NEXUS, provided they pass background security checks conducted by both CBSA and US CBP.
When booking flights with US airlines, enter your 9-digit NEXUS PASS ID number (located on the back of your NEXUS card) into the "Known Traveler Number" (KTN) field of your flight reservation. Your boarding pass will print with the TSA PreCheck indicator.
NEXUS members MUST strictly declare all goods, alcohol, tobacco, or commercial items. Failing to declare goods in a NEXUS lane results in immediate revocation of your NEXUS card and a 5-year ban.
No! Every single occupant in the vehicle (including infants and children) MUST hold a valid NEXUS card to use a dedicated NEXUS land border lane.
Log into your TTP account up to 365 days before your card expires. If you submit your renewal application before expiration, your membership benefits are automatically extended for up to 24 months while processing.
At Canadian airports, enrollment is split: step 1 with CBSA before departing Canada, and step 2 with US CBP at US Preclearance. At land border centers, both officers interview you jointly in one room.
Yes. Children under 18 must attend an enrollment interview accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Official Government References & Sources
• CBSA NEXUS Official Portal: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/nexus
• US CBP Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP): ttp.dhs.gov
• TSA PreCheck Information: tsa.gov/precheck
NEXUS Quick Facts
Fee (Adult)$50 USD / 5 yrs
Children (<18)FREE
Includes TSA PreCheckYes
Includes Global EntryYes