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🇨🇦 CBSA & U.S. CBP Joint NEXUS Trusted-Traveller Framework

NEXUS Card Application & Interview Guide 2026

Learn how to apply for NEXUS through the U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs system, satisfy CBSA and CBP screening, choose the correct interview format, and use NEXUS benefits for Canada-US air, land and marine travel.

1. What is NEXUS?

NEXUS is a joint Canada-U.S. trusted-traveller program operated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is designed to speed up border processing for pre-approved, low-risk travellers entering Canada and the United States by air, land and marine routes.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • Dual screening: CBSA and CBP each conduct a risk assessment before membership is finalized.
  • Land benefits: NEXUS provides access to designated NEXUS lanes at participating land crossings.
  • Canadian airport benefits: Members can use NEXUS kiosks and eGates at participating Canadian international airports.
  • U.S. travel benefits: NEXUS members have access to the program's applicable U.S. trusted-traveller benefits, subject to citizenship/status rules and the operational rules for the particular checkpoint.
  • Marine travel: NEXUS members can receive faster processing at participating marine crossings.

Mandatory Action Checklist

✓Review eligibility and citizenship/permanent-resident requirements.
✓Create or use a Trusted Traveler Programs account operated by U.S. CBP.
✓Submit the online NEXUS application and pay the applicable fee.
✓Wait for the initial application decision/conditional approval before scheduling the interview.

2. Who is eligible for NEXUS in 2026?

Current CBSA eligibility rules allow U.S. and Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply, as well as Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable program. Applicants must be admissible to both Canada and the United States, provide truthful and complete information, and meet the program's customs, immigration, agriculture and criminal-history requirements.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • The 3-year legal-residency rule for permanent residents remains part of the current eligibility framework.
  • Exceptions to the 3-year requirement exist for certain Canadian/U.S. military and diplomatic circumstances.
  • Minors can be enrolled even if their parents or legal guardians are not NEXUS members.
  • A criminal conviction, customs/immigration/agriculture violation, or other admissibility issue can affect eligibility.
Applicant statusEligibility frameworkImportant qualification
Canadian citizenMay apply subject to NEXUS eligibility requirementsMust be admissible to Canada and the United States and satisfy the program's risk assessment
U.S. citizenMay apply subject to NEXUS eligibility requirementsMust be admissible to Canada and the United States and satisfy the program's risk assessment
Canadian permanent residentMay applyGenerally must have been a legal resident of Canada or the U.S. for at least 3 years before applying, subject to exceptions
U.S. lawful permanent residentMay applyGenerally must have been a legal resident of Canada or the U.S. for at least 3 years before applying, subject to exceptions
Mexican nationalMay apply if a member of Mexico's Viajero Confiable programMust also satisfy the applicable NEXUS eligibility and entry requirements

3. Current NEXUS fees in 2026

The current NEXUS application processing fee is USD $120 and is non-refundable. For applicants under 18, CBSA states that the fee is waived when their parent or legal guardian is also applying or is already a NEXUS member.

ApplicantCurrent application/renewal processing feeImportant condition
Adult applicantUSD $120Non-refundable
Applicant under 18USD $0 when fee waiver appliesParent/legal guardian must also be applying or already be a NEXUS member
RenewalUSD $120Fee-free for qualifying under-18 renewal circumstances where the parent/legal guardian is applying or already a member

4. How long does NEXUS membership last?

NEXUS memberships are valid for 5 years. CBSA advises members to check the expiry date printed on their NEXUS card. Do not describe the expiry as being tied to the cardholder's birthday unless that exact information appears on the member's card.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • Membership validity: 5 years.
  • Check the exact expiry date on the card.
  • Renewal can be completed through the Trusted Traveler Programs System.
  • A streamlined renewal process may mean that an interview is not required when there are no relevant changes to personal information or eligibility.

5. How to apply through the Trusted Traveler Programs system

NEXUS applications are submitted online through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Programs System. CBSA no longer accepts paper NEXUS applications.

Mandatory Action Checklist

✓Review the Canada and U.S. privacy statements and NEXUS terms and conditions.
✓Sign into the Trusted Traveler Programs System operated by U.S. CBP.
✓Choose NEXUS and complete the application with accurate citizenship, residence, employment, travel and eligibility information.
✓Provide complete and truthful information. Omissions or inaccurate information can affect eligibility.
✓Provide the requested identity, citizenship/permanent-resident and residence evidence.
✓Pay the current non-refundable USD $120 processing fee, unless an applicable under-18 waiver applies.
✓Submit the application and monitor its status in the TTP System.
✓Wait for the first-stage approval/conditional approval before scheduling the interview.
✓Use the official NEXUS interview scheduler once eligible to book the required interview.

6. NEXUS interview options in 2026

CBSA currently describes three ways to schedule the NEXUS interview process after the initial application is approved: a joint interview at a U.S. land enrolment centre, a split interview at specified Canadian and U.S. land enrolment centres, or a two-step interview at participating Canadian and U.S. airports.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • Each family member needs their own appointment time.
  • The exact locations and availability can change, so the current TTP scheduler is the authoritative source for available appointments.
  • The interview finalizes membership only after the required CBSA and CBP processes are satisfied.
Interview optionHow it worksImportant limitation
Joint land interviewCBSA and U.S. CBP officers conduct the interview at a U.S. land enrolment centreChoose the available location and appointment in the TTP scheduler
Split land interviewFirst portion at a Canadian land enrolment centre and second portion on the U.S. side on the same dateAvailable only at designated paired locations
Two-step airport interviewInterview process is completed at participating Canadian and U.S. airportsIf you start at an airport, you cannot complete it at a land enrolment centre

7. What to bring to a NEXUS interview

Before the interview, review the current CBSA documentation requirements and ensure that your identification, citizenship or permanent-resident documents, proof of residence, and any relevant immigration or work/study permits are current.

Mandatory Action Checklist

✓Valid passport and other citizenship or permanent-resident evidence listed by CBSA.
✓Proof of current residence, such as an accepted driver's licence or other document showing the current address.
✓Current Canadian or U.S. permanent-resident card, Record of Landing, citizenship certificate or other applicable immigration document where relevant.
✓Work or study permit if you work or study in Canada or the United States.
✓Any additional documentation requested through the Trusted Traveler Programs System.
✓For a minor, the required parent/legal guardian and consent/custody documentation.

8. NEXUS benefits by travel type

NEXUS can provide expedited processing at designated Canadian and U.S. border locations. The precise benefit depends on where you are travelling and your citizenship or immigration status.

Travel situationNEXUS benefitImportant limitation
Entering Canada by airNEXUS kiosks and eGates at participating Canadian international airportsUse only at participating airports and follow the current arrival process
Entering Canada by landDedicated NEXUS vehicle lanes at designated land crossingsEveryone in the vehicle must satisfy the applicable NEXUS requirements when using the NEXUS lane
Entering the U.S. from Canada by airGlobal Entry processing is available at designated Canadian preclearance locations for qualifying NEXUS membersA NEXUS card is not a universal substitute for a passport or U.S. lawful permanent resident card at every U.S. Global Entry location
U.S. airport securityQualifying NEXUS members can receive TSA PreCheck benefitsCBP states that NEXUS members who are not Canadian citizens are not eligible for TSA PreCheck
Marine crossingsFaster processing at participating marine crossingsAvailability depends on the crossing and operational rules
Canadian airport securityExpedited CATSA screening where availableThis is subject to participating-airport facilities

9. Travelling with family members and non-members

NEXUS privileges are individual. Everyone needs their own membership to use the program's benefits. When using NEXUS privileges, members must follow the program's rules regarding people travelling with them and may not facilitate a non-member's passage through NEXUS self-service facilities.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • Each family member who wants NEXUS benefits needs an individual membership.
  • Children can have their own NEXUS memberships even if their parents are not members.
  • A NEXUS member must not use their membership to facilitate a non-member's passage through self-service NEXUS facilities.
  • When travelling in a NEXUS vehicle lane, verify the current rules for every person in the vehicle before crossing.

10. Customs compliance and losing NEXUS membership

NEXUS members must comply with Canadian and U.S. customs, immigration and other applicable laws and with the NEXUS terms and conditions. Violations can lead to cancellation or other consequences, but the outcome depends on the nature of the violation.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • Negligence, carelessness or lack of knowledge are not accepted as reasons for violating the NEXUS agreement.
  • CBSA records infractions and can reassess eligibility.
  • A person whose membership is cancelled can request a review of a CBSA decision within 90 days under the applicable recourse process.
  • The correct consequence depends on the actual violation rather than a universal 'one mistake equals permanent revocation' rule.
Example violationPublished CBSA consequence framework
Failing to declare goods exceeding personal exemptions or allowances1 year before potential reapplication eligibility
Possession of commercial goods, including promotional samples1 year before potential reapplication eligibility
Failure to carry appropriate documentation1 year before potential reapplication eligibility
Failure to update immigration status or information affecting NEXUS eligibility1 year before potential reapplication eligibility
Certain Customs Act violations involving seizure or ascertained forfeiture1 to 7 years depending on the circumstances
Certain criminal convictions, narcotics, drug or weapon offencesCan result in 10-year or indefinite/ineligible-to-reapply consequences depending on the offence

11. NEXUS application processing versus interview wait time

CBSA states that properly completed applications may be processed within 30 business days, but this estimate does not include the time required to obtain an interview appointment. CBSA also warns that there is a significant backlog for new applicants, so a simple '30 business days to membership' promise would be misleading.

Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks

  • Application processing estimate: up to 30 business days for properly completed applications under CBSA's published estimate.
  • Interview scheduling is separate from application processing.
  • Interview availability depends on enrolment-centre appointment capacity.
  • Conditional approval does not mean the NEXUS card is already active.
  • Membership is finalized after the required interview process and approval.

12. NEXUS renewal and replacement

NEXUS memberships can be renewed online through the TTP System. CBSA states that a streamlined renewal may not require an interview when there are no changes to personal information or new information affecting eligibility. Replacement of a lost, stolen or damaged card has a separate USD $25 non-refundable processing fee and may require an interview.

TransactionCurrent treatment
RenewalApply through TTP; current renewal processing fee is USD $120
Streamlined renewalAn interview may not be required when qualifying conditions are met
Lost, stolen or damaged cardReplacement request through TTP; USD $25 non-refundable processing fee; interview may be required

13. NEXUS appeals and reviews

If CBSA rejects an application or cancels membership, the applicant/member may request a review through CBSA's recourse process. CBSA states that a request for review must generally be submitted within 90 days of the rejection or cancellation becoming effective. U.S. CBP decisions have a separate review process through the U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs/CBP channels.

Mandatory Action Checklist

✓Identify whether the decision was made by CBSA or CBP.
✓Review the decision letter and its effective date.
✓For a CBSA decision, submit the review request within the applicable 90-day period.
✓For a CBP decision, follow the U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs review/ombudsman process provided by CBP.
✓Keep copies of the decision, supporting evidence and submitted review request.

14. Step-by-step NEXUS application roadmap

Use this workflow as a practical 2026 application sequence.

Mandatory Action Checklist

✓Confirm citizenship or permanent-resident eligibility and, if applicable, satisfy the 3-year legal-residency requirement.
✓Review customs, immigration, agriculture and criminal-history eligibility before applying.
✓Create or access your U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs System account.
✓Complete the NEXUS application accurately and completely.
✓Pay the USD $120 processing fee unless an applicable under-18 waiver applies.
✓Submit the application and monitor the TTP System.
✓Wait for the initial application approval/conditional approval.
✓Use the official scheduler to choose one of the currently available interview models.
✓Bring the required identity, citizenship/permanent-resident and residence documents to the interview.
✓Answer CBSA and CBP interview questions truthfully and consistently with the application.
✓After membership is finalized, verify that your passport, immigration status, address and other eligibility information remain current in TTP.
✓When crossing the border, comply with all customs and immigration declaration requirements even when using NEXUS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The NEXUS application processing fee is USD $120 and is non-refundable. The fee is waived for applicants under 18 when their parent or legal guardian is also applying or is already a NEXUS member.

NEXUS membership is valid for 5 years. Use the expiry date printed on the NEXUS card rather than assuming it expires on the member's birthday.

Generally yes. Canadian and U.S. permanent residents generally must have been legal residents of Canada or the United States for at least 3 years before applying, subject to specific military and diplomatic exceptions.

Failure to declare goods can lead to cancellation or other consequences, but there is no single automatic permanent-ban rule for every incident. CBSA publishes different reapplication periods depending on the specific violation, including a one-year period for failing to declare goods exceeding personal exemptions or allowances.

There are three current scheduling models: a joint interview at a U.S. land enrolment centre; a split interview at designated Canadian and U.S. land enrolment centres; or a two-step interview at participating Canadian and U.S. airports. The TTP scheduler shows current availability.

No. CBP's current guidance states that Canadian citizens who are NEXUS members are eligible for TSA PreCheck, while NEXUS members who are not Canadian citizens are not eligible for TSA PreCheck. Other NEXUS and Global Entry benefits also depend on the travel checkpoint and the member's citizenship or immigration status.

Official Government Sources & Authorities

2026 NEXUS Metrics

Application Fee$120 USD non-refundable
Membership Validity5 years; check the expiry date on the card
Minor Fee RuleUnder 18 fee waived when a parent/legal guardian is applying or already a member
Managing AgenciesCBSA and U.S. CBP jointly administer NEXUS

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