NEXUS

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened, low risk travelers to be processed with little or no delay by United States and Canadian officials at designated highway lanes at high volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at the Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle, Washington regions. Approved applicants are issued a photo-identification/proximity card. Participants use the three modes of passage where they will present their NEXUS card and make a declaration. They are then released, unless chosen for a selective or random secondary referral.

As of 23 May 2007, Nexus is operational at the following border crossings:

• Pacific Highway, British Columbia/Blaine, Washington
• Douglas, British Columbia/Peace Arch, Washington
• Boundary Bay, British Columbia/Point Roberts, Washington
• Bluewater Bridge between Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan
• Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan
• International Tunnel between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan
• Peace Bridge between Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, New York
• Rainbow Bridge between Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York
• Route 15 between Lacolle, Quebec and Champlain, New York
• St. Armand-Philipsburg, Quebec and Highgate Springs, Vermont
• Whirlpool Bridge between Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York
• MacDonald-Cartier International Airport, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Ontario Canada
• Montreal Pierre Trudeau International Airport, Montreal, Quebec Canada
• Halifax International Airport, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Program expansion is scheduled for the following two border locations:

• Queenston/Lewiston Bridge between Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York
• Coutts, Alberta/Sweetgrass, Montana

Besides offering improved service to the travelling public, NEXUS enables Canadian and U.S. customs and immigration authorities to concentrate their efforts on potentially high-risk travellers and goods, thereby upholding security and protection standards at the border.

Participants in the NEXUS Program can:

• use dedicated NEXUS lanes in Canada and the U.S.; cross the border without being subject to regular customs and immigration questioning; and
• simplify their entry into Canada and the United States. Although NEXUS participants do not have to speak to a customs or immigration officer each time they cross the border, they may be subject to an examination at any time.

Participants are issued a photo-identification card for entry into Canada and a proximity card for entry into the United States.

Entering Canada:

When approaching the inspection booth at the border crossing, participants are directed to enter via a dedicated lane. The vehicle licence plate is read, and the photo identification card is displayed to confirm membership in the program. The inspection officer then makes a decision on the release of the vehicle and the travellers.

Entering the United States:

When approaching the inspection booth at the border crossing, participants are directed to enter via a dedicated lane. The proximity card is read to verify participants' membership in the program. The inspection officer then makes a decision on the admissibility of the vehicle and travellers.

Citizens and permanent residents of Canada or the United States can apply for the NEXUS Program. As well, business or government officials who can demonstrate a need to use the NEXUS lanes and who have proper documentation under the Special Visa Class category are eligible.

These persons will not qualify if:

• the information provided in the application is false or incomplete;
• the applicant has been found guilty of a criminal offence in any country for which they have not received a pardon;
• the applicant has been charged with a customs or immigration offence; or
• the applicant has been declared inadmissible to Canada or the United States.

All applicants must comply with the requirements for admission to both countries and undergo complete security checks. Applications will be reviewed by both countries and must be approved by both countries in order for the applicant to join the NEXUS program.

The NEXUS pilot project stems from the Canada-United States of America Accord on Our Shared Border, and is one of the initiatives of the Smart Border Accord's 30-Point Plan.