{"id":46193,"date":"2024-06-13T13:22:40","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T17:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hardbacon.ca\/non-classifiee\/nexus-card-for-canadians-the-ultimate-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T09:03:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T13:03:02","slug":"nexus-card-for-canadians-the-ultimate-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardbacon.ca\/en\/travel\/nexus-card-for-canadians-the-ultimate-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of the NEXUS Card and How to Get One for Free"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The NEXUS card can be used to cross the border between US and Canada by Canadian citizens who have been pre-screened and considered low-risk individuals. You can benefit from expedited processing through dedicated lanes at the airport, land borders, or marine reporting locations when you have a NEXUS<\/a> membership card. <\/span>If you go back and forth between Canada and the U.S. frequently, you will love NEXUS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to use NEXUS?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can use a NEXUS Card at the airport, land, or marine borders between Canada and the United States. To use the NEXUS card at the airport or land borders, you need to proceed to a designated NEXUS lane or kiosk and show your membership card in front of a card reader or a border officer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a NEXUS card, you will still need to comply with the necessary screening processes, such as walking through a metal detector and carrying out an x-ray check of your hand luggage at the airport. You may be required to go through additional search procedures when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you travel by air with a NEXUS card, you can use the automated self-serve kiosks at the airport for an expedited check and clearance. Self-serve NEXUS kiosks are available at 9 major international airports in U.S. soil. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEXUS members are allowed access to Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) airport security screening lanes <\/span>at 16 locations and to Transportation Security Administration Pre-Check lines at over 200 participating U.S. airports. You will need to show a valid NEXUS card to pass through the Trusted Traveller CATSA Security Line. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With your NEXUS card, you will also be able to use Global Entry kiosks in the United States as well as in 8 Canadian airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Land travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since 2022, you can use the NEXUS card to travel to the US through 16 land border crossings and come back to Canada at 21 designated land border crossings. You can pass through a designated NEXUS lane when you arrive at a land border. Sometimes, the NEXUS lanes at some land borders may be closed; it is essential to confirm if you can use your NEXUS card before you begin your travels. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To cross the Canada-US border by water, you will need to call the respective Telephone Reporting Centres (TRCs) between thirty minutes and four hours before you arrive at the marine border. The NEXUS card gives you faster processing at all marine crossings<\/span> when entering the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much does it cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get a NEXUS card, you need to pay an application fee of $50 USD. This fee is non-refundable and applies to all adults eighteen years and older. Online applications are usually processed in US currency only. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you pay the application fee and are accepted into the NEXUS program, you have a five-year membership status. If you lose your NEXUS card, you can apply for a new one; this would cost a fee of $25 USD.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of a NEXUS card<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NEXUS card provides many benefits for frequent travellers. Sometimes, traveling can be chaotic; with a NEXUS card, you can bypass big crowds and long lines. Like I said, it is a fast pass for a lot of the tiring aspects of travel. If you travel with kids, it can save your sanity, but more on that later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most beneficial perk people with NEXUS cards get to enjoy is expedited entry into the US or Canada by air, land, or boat. Having to save time at busy airports or avoid long line-ups at land borders can be a huge plus, especially if you\u2019re running late, which happens often. Your travel insurance<\/a> provider may not cover missed flights, so getting a NEXUS card can save you time and a lot of money.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One great advantage of the NEXUS membership is that it is afforfable compared to its counterparts. You effectively pay half-price compared to similar US programs like the Transport Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck and the Global Entry programs. These can cost up to 100 dollars. That means that your NEXUS card costs $10 per year, as your membership is valid for five years.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security clearance and checks can be overwhelming if you are a frequent traveller or even just an occasional traveller. With the NEXUS card, you receive pre-clearance when passing through security screening lines at designated airports in Canada and the US. It can make a lot of sense if you have the budget.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eligibility <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get on the Canada-US NEXUS program, you would need to be either a citizen or permanent resident of either country. Mexican nationals who are part of the Viajero Confiable program <\/span>are also eligible to apply for a NEXUS card. A complete list of eligibility requirements<\/a> is on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) site.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a permanent resident of Canada or the US, you must meet the three-year residency rule. The residency rule requires you to have been a legal resident of both countries for at least three years before the day you apply for a NEXUS membership. You can be exempt from the residency requirement if you or your family serves with the armed forces of Canada or the United States, or if you are a family member of someone involved in a diplomatic mission or consular post.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you will need to be 18 years-of-age or above to apply for a NEXUS card. Children cannot apply for NEXUS themselves. If you do not meet the age requirement, you will need to apply with parental or legal consent to participate in the program. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NEXUS program is designed for low-risk travellers. Your application into the program needs to be approved by Canada and the United States. If one of the countries denies your application, you cannot get a NEXUS membership. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting approved for the NEXUS card is not automatic. You can get denied or disqualified for reasons such as falsifying any information on your application, providing incomplete information, having any criminal records or pending criminal charges, or being inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulations. <\/span>In general, if you are considered a high-risk individual, your NEXUS application may not get approved.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to apply for a NEXUS Card<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The NEXUS card application is straightforward. You can either apply by yourself or use a representative. Using a representative can cost you extra charges for the fee you will need to pay the representative. When you use a representative to apply for a NEXUS membership, this does not guarantee that your application will be approved; you will still need to provide accurate and complete information.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the following steps to apply for a NEXUS membership:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n