29 OCT 2019: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will soon be focussing on the entire face of NEXUS users entering the country rather than simply looking them in the eye as new modernized kiosks at airports replace iris scans with facial biometric technology.

The program will start at Vancouver this fall, reports the CBSA, and then be rolled out in the ensuing months in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto (Pearson and Billy Bishop) and Winnipeg.

The CBSA says the new technology will expedite NEXUS air processing and enhance the travel experience for members through the customs hall.

NEXUS cardholders are being advised that the first time they use a new kiosk they will need their passport as the process requires the document’s photo to be uploaded for storage and identity verification purposes. Members who do not have a passport will be referred to an officer for identity verification.

In a letter sent to NEXUS members, the CBSA said, “This modernization is intended to better serve NEXUS members travelling by air as facial biometric verification provides travellers with a simplified method of being identified. This initiative aligns the NEXUS program with international trends on traveller processing and supports the CBSA’s goal to increase efficiencies without compromising security.”

CBSA notes that the declarations process will also change and no longer

be completed at the new kiosks. Instead, if users have something to declare, they will be required to do so verbally to an officer at a clearly marked area in the customs hall after using the kiosk. (Note: Despite being legal in Canada, transporting cannabis in or out of the country is still illegal).

The NEXUS program is designed to speed up border crossings for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States and is jointly run by the CBSA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Benefits include fast-track customs and security screening at select airports in Canada and the U.S., and expedited TSA pre-check clearance at 180 U.S. airports and 21 land border crossings.

The NEXUS application processing fee is US$50 for a five-year membership and children under 18 are free.