The Nexus Card
A Faster Travel Plan

The NEXUS card is for the US and Canadian traveler that make frequent trips between each country. Are you tired of long line-ups at the border crossings?

Or at the airport terminal? Well, this is an answer to how you can get through faster and on with your trip.

Established in 2002, NEXUS is a joint venture between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs Border Protection (CPB) to make border crossings easier for card holders while enhancing security.

Your next trip carrying this card will save you lots of time as you can go trough a special line up and get you on your way faster.

The NEXUX card satisfies the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements and is a valid document when used at a NEXUS kiosk.

The Application Process

Applying for a NEXUS card is quite a simple process. Any US or Canadian citizen can apply as long as there has been no criminal history or other law enforcement infractions.

There are two ways in which you can put in your application.

One way is to send in your application form by mail. The other way is by applying online using the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES).

Either way you will be contacted and invited to visit one of the NEXUS enrollment centres for an interview.

The time frame for the application process is between six and eight weeks long. There is a non-refundable application fee of $50CAN or $50US depending on which country you are from.

How The Interview
Process Works

The interview process begins after you have been invited to attend one the NEXUS enrollment centres.

As a US citizen you will be interviewed by a CBSA officer.

A Canadian citizen would be interviewed by a US CPB officer. Some of the things you will encounter during an interview are:

verifying of your identity,

taking your fingerprints,

taking a digital photograph of your irises so that you can verify your identity at self-serve kiosks at US and Canadian airports,

taking a digital photograph of your face,

explaining of everything related to the NEXUS program.

The Use Of The NEXUS Card
By Land, Air Or Marine

There are three different modes of transportation you can take to cross from the United States into Canada.

NEXUS is faster and easier and having this card will help avoid many of the long waits and line-ups you will probably experience in whatever mode of transportation you are taking.

Land mode - There are special "NEXUS lanes" set up at several of the US Canada border crossings that you can use instead of using one of the regular lanes that most traveler's use.

You would stop and hold your NEXUS card in front of a proximity card reader and then proceed to the booth where a CBSA or CBP officer would do a visual inspection of you.

You would then be quickly on your way, enjoying your trip and leaving behind many motorists without this card, stuck at the border and still have long and frustrating waits ahead of them.

Air mode - If you are arriving at any of the participating airports in either country you would look for the automated kiosks that are located in the Canadian Inspection Services Area.

There would be an adjustable camera at these kiosks that a card-holding member would stand in front of. Your irises would then be photographed and matched with the ones that you have on file.

You would then proceed to answer some standard Customs and Immigration questions using the touch-screen pad at the kiosk.

Marine mode - If you are entering Canada by boat you can call ahead of your arrival. Calls must be made a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 4 hours in advance. The number to call is 1-866-99-NEXUS (1-866-996-3987).

So whatever way you are using to come into the country the NEXUS card will make it a much faster and hassle-free experience for you.

Some Important Points

If you are travelling with a group or family at the border everyone (including children) should have their own card with them for you to be able to use the designated NEXUS lanes.

Canadian residents can use a Traveler Declaration Card (TDC) at the airport or border crossing to declare all items that were purchased on their return. All duties and taxes are automatically billed to the NEXUS member's credit card. Only certain items can be declared if using the NEXUS lanes.

NEXUS card holders will not be asked to produce their passports when at a border crossing. To be on the safe side you should still have your passport available because techically you are supposed to carry them on you when entering or leaving the country.

You could still be pulled over and searched even though you carry a NEXUS card.

For more information and to answer any questions on this wonderful card and all of its benefits please call toll-free in the US and Canada 1-866-NEXUS-26 (1866-639-8726).

The NEXUS card is a great way for you to avoid those long line-ups and frusrating waits at the border.

Time is one of our most precious commodities.

This is one way to spend less time waiting and more time enjoying your trip!

Okanagan Valley Guide will be updated regularly. Please return often or bookmark this site. I will be adding more pages of exciting information for you.

Thanks for visiting.

See you soon!