NEXUS interview deadline to shrink to two years starting in 2027
The Canada Border Services Agency says the five-year window was a temporary measure during the pandemic.
The Canada Border Services Agency is tightening the deadline for conditionally approved NEXUS applicants to schedule their enrolment interviews, returning to a two-year window starting in 2027.
"Starting April 1, 2027, applicants must schedule their NEXUS enrolment interview within two years of getting conditional approval. This changes the current five-year time limit back to the original two-year rule," the CBSA said in a news release.
The agency said a temporary enrolment extension to five years was enacted to help manage disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"Now with more enrolment interview capacity available, the two-year deadline is returning," the agency said.
The change means anyone conditionally approved for the NEXUS program on or after April 1, 2027, will have two years to book an interview, down from the current five-year window.
For those conditionally approved before that date, the five-year limit still applies. They must schedule their interview within five years of their approval date, or by April 1, 2029, whichever comes first.
The same change will apply to the FAST-North program for commercial drivers, which will also see its enrolment interview deadline shrink to two years as of April 1, 2027.
NEXUS is a trusted traveller program jointly administered by the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection aimed at speeding up border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travellers between Canada and the U.S.
It gives members access to dedicated lanes, e-gates, kiosks and precheck services at certain land, marine and airport border crossings.
After submitting an application, conditionally approved applicants must schedule an interview with both the CBSA and CBP before receiving a NEXUS card.
The CBSA portion of the interview is conducted at a NEXUS enrolment centre, while the U.S. CBP portion may be completed at a CBP enrolment centre or through the Enrolment on Arrival system.
Interviews include identity checks, fingerprinting, and questions from officers on each side of the border.
Once approved, memberships are valid for five years, and it costs US$120 to process an application.
About 1.7 million Canadians are enrolled in the NEXUS program, officials said.
The CBSA is encouraging those waiting for an interview to book their appointment soon so their application does not expire.
Border crossers are also advised to check their NEXUS application status and verify current U.S. entry benefits before relying on NEXUS for expedited crossings.
The NEXUS program is designed for travellers deemed to be low-risk and is a bilateral process jointly administered by U.S. and Canadian border officials.
To manage the tighter enrolment deadline, travellers are encouraged to book and complete their interview within two years of receiving conditional approval.
Officials said the five-year window introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic is now being phased out as interview capacity has stabilized on both sides of the border.
NEXUS members get access to priority lanes at some airports or border crossings, along with other entry benefits, such as expedited security screening at some airports.
The CBSA advises travellers to monitor its updates online for the latest information.
With files from Inside Halton and Open Jaw