NEXUS
Join NEXUS

You must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the U.S., or a Mexican national who is also a member of the Viajero Confiable program. Permanent residents of Canada and the U.S. must have resided as legal residents of Canada or the U.S. for a minimum of three years before the day of application. A Canadian or U.S. permanent resident is exempt from the three year residency rule if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Individuals serving in the American armed forces in a foreign country, or
• Individuals who are a family member of a person who is a member of the Canadian or American armed forces serving in a foreign country, or
• Individuals who are a family member of a person who is serving at a Canadian or American diplomatic mission or consular post in a foreign country.

Your application must be approved by both Canada and the U.S.

To be eligible to join NEXUS you must:

• Be admissible to Canada or the United States under applicable immigration laws;
• Provide true and complete information on your application;
• Not violate customs, immigration or agriculture law; or
• Meet all other requirements of NEXUS.

You may not be eligible to join NEXUS if you were convicted of a serious criminal offence (in any country) and have not been pardoned. For U.S. background checks, you may be questioned about your full criminal history, including arrests and pardons, which may exclude you from NEXUS.

Refer to Mandatory documents for children for more information on specific requirements for minors.

The following documents are accepted as proof of Canadian or U.S. citizenship/admissibility and permanent residency:

Canadian or U.S. citizen

• In Canada
  • a valid passport;
  • a birth certificate and photo ID;
  • a Canadian citizenship certificate or card; or
  • a Certificate of Indian Status.
• In the United States
  • a valid passport;
  • a birth certificate and photo ID;
  • a U.S. citizenship certificate;
  • a certificate of naturalization; or
  • a border crossing card.

Canadian or U.S. permanent resident

• In Canada
  • a valid Permanent Resident Card; or
  • a Record of Landing.
• In the United States
  • a valid Permanent Resident Card

Mexican nationals who are members of Viajero Confiable

• valid passport;
• a valid work or study permit, if required.

Working or studying in Canada or the United States

• a work permit; or
• a study permit.

Children under 18

When both parents have legal custody, and only one parent or legal guardian is present, a letter of consent is required from the absent parent.

If a parent has sole custody, or if only one parent is recorded on the minor's birth certificate, a consent letter is not required.

If the parents or legal guardian have a custody agreement, it must be provided. The custody agreement must confirm that the child can legally leave Canada.

If a child attends the interview with a person other than their parent or legal guardian, both parents or legal guardians must submit letter(s) of consent in addition to the other requirements.

Minors can be enrolled in the NEXUS program even if their parents or legal guardians are not members.

Proof of residency

Provide one of the following documents for proof of residence:

• valid driver's licence;
• another provincial identification card;
• another federal identification card; or
• any document with a current address (e.g. a current bill, invoice or bank statement).

Review the CBSA exit notice and Canada's privacy statement and United States Privacy Act statement before applying.

Online applications are processed through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) System. U.S. Customs Border Protection and the CBSA use the information provided on the application to determine eligibility.

Apply Online Now

The non-refundable application processing fee is $50 US for a five-year membership. Children under the age of 18 are free.

A valid credit card is required to pay the non-refundable processing fee of US$50.

You will be contacted to schedule an interview once your application has received conditional approval. If you applied by paper, please contact a Canadian Processing Centre if you have not received a notification within three months. Online applicants will receive an invitation in their TTP account.

Your membership is finalized at a NEXUS Enrolment Centre.

You will be interviewed by a CBSA and/or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, who will:

• review the information you provided on your application form to make sure it is still valid;
• verify your identity and review original documents such as proof of citizenship and residency documents, work permits and visas;
• ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements for membership; and
• take your fingerprints.

If you are accepted into NEXUS, the officer will:

• explain the terms and conditions of NEXUS;
• ask to take a digital photograph of your irises (used to verify your identity each time you enter Canada in the air mode of transportation using the self-serve kiosks);
• take a digital photograph of your face for your NEXUS membership card;
• explain the Traveller Declaration Card (Form E601) process (for Canadian residents only);
• explain how to cross the border in the air, land and marine modes of transportation using your NEXUS card; and
• inform you that you may be subject to an inspection any time you enter Canada or the United States.