Most NEXUS members in Canada will say the fast-track trusted traveller program is the best $50 they ever spent. (Many others lament they just haven’t gotten around to it yet). But after 20 years of border bliss without a price hike, the cost of the card is set to more than double effective Oct. 1.
As such, administrators of the program – the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – are encouraging Canadians to apply (or follow up with interview appointments) as soon as possible to beat the rate increase of the application fee to US$120.
Noting that the price hasn’t been increased since the program’s inception in 2002, CBSA/CBP say the new rate is needed to reflect the current cost of administering the program and to allow for future program improvements, including technology and infrastructure enhancements.
The proposed increase (subject to regulatory approvals) would also help keep up with the high demand for the program – since April 2023, more than 510,000 applications have been completed with almost 10,000 interviews every two weeks.
The demand in part reflects a pause in processing during the pandemic, and a well-publicized delay in re-opening interview offices in Canada.
Benefits
Pre-screened NEXUS members benefit from fast-tracked border crossings between Canada and the US courtesy of dedicated security and customs lines at airports and land border crossings. While the program is restricted to outbound travel to the US, the dedicated re-entry to Canada is accessible upon arrival from anywhere. Before travelling by air to the US, NEXUS members can enter their trusted traveller number when booking (or checking-in) to receive US TSA pre-clearance (indicated with a check mark on the boarding pass) for entry to fast-track lines where available.
NEXUS cards allow members to:
- Use self-serve NEXUS kiosks or eGates when entering Canada at nine major international airports.
- Use dedicated vehicle lanes at 20 designated land border crossings.
- Use US Global Entry kiosks for entry into the US.
- Receive expedited clearance through CATSA security screening lines at major and select mid-sized airports in Canada.
- Receive expedited clearance through the US Transportation Security Administration Pre-Check lines at over 200 participating US airports.
- Clear the border by boat using the Telephone Reporting Centre and pre-register arrival at 426 designated sites.
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to book their interview as soon as possible. Appointments are always available on the Trusted Traveller Programs System. Many enrollment centres offer next-day availability for scheduling interviews, allowing applicants to book their appointments quickly.
In anticipation of an increase in demand between now and October, the CBSA and CBP remain ready to process applications and will continue to make interviews available.
Apply HERE. https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/
In light of recent the post-pandemic obstacles to enrolment, CBSA and CBP report that they have:
- Reduced the inventory of NEXUS interviews by 25% since July 2022.
- Expanded hours of service at enrolment centres in both Canada and the US to increase the availability of interview appointments.
- Introduced split interviews at land enrolment centres, offering additional interview options for applicants.
- Reopened Canadian airport enrolment centres for two-step interviews.
- Provided enhanced flexibility for applicants to complete the interview process, while encouraging them to complete their interviews as soon as possible.
Quick facts
- Applicants who have submitted their application and paid the US$50 fee, but have not completed their enrolment interviews by Oct. 1, 2024, will not have to pay the proposed US$120 fee.
- The proposed fee aligns with the fee harmonization across other Trusted Traveller Programs administer by the US CBP.
- The NEXUS program currently has over 1.8 million members, with the majority of members being Canadian.