Ruth Haines
NEXUS is a trusted traveller program jointly operated by the Canada Border Services Agency and the US Customs and Border Protection. It allows pre-screened travellers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Members can use dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air, and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian PreClearance airports. However, some sources suggest that NEXUS members must use their passports at Global Entry kiosks in US airports, and that gate agents are often poorly trained and may be unaware that a NEXUS card is a valid form of identification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you use Nexus cards at US airports? | Yes, but only at Global Entry kiosks at Canadian Preclearance airports. |
| Can you use Nexus cards at non-US airports? | Yes, at Global Entry kiosks when entering the US. |
| Is Nexus recognised as a valid ID at US airports? | Yes, but many staff members are unaware of this. |
| Do you need to carry your passport with your Nexus card? | Yes, always carry your passport when travelling internationally. |
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What You'll Learn
NEXUS card holders can use Global Entry kiosks at US airports
NEXUS members can use Global Entry kiosks at participating Canadian Preclearance airports to enter the US and receive Global Entry benefits. While some sources suggest that the physical NEXUS card cannot be used at Global Entry kiosks outside of Canadian Preclearance locations, others state that NEXUS members can use the Global Entry kiosks at US airports when arriving from countries other than Canada. In these cases, the kiosk will scan the user's face and verify their identity.
It is recommended that NEXUS members always travel with their passport or proof of permanent residence, as they may be required to prove their citizenship or permanent residence status. Additionally, some sources suggest that NEXUS members may need to use their passports at Global Entry kiosks in US airports, regardless of their arrival location.
NEXUS members can also take advantage of designated NEXUS lanes at land border crossings and NEXUS kiosks or eGates when entering Canada by air. NEXUS is also accepted at marine reporting locations in Canada and the United States.
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NEXUS cards are not always recognised by US airport staff
NEXUS is a Canadian program that allows pre-screened travellers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. However, US airport staff do not always recognise NEXUS cards as valid documentation. This is because, at most airports, the bulk of their traffic is domestic or international travellers from non-Canadian countries. As a result, gate workers may have never encountered a NEXUS card and may not be informed about its validity.
NEXUS members can use designated NEXUS lanes at 18 land border crossings when driving into Canada. There are also 396 marine reporting centres in Canada offering NEXUS privileges. When entering the US via Canadian Preclearance airports, NEXUS members must use a Global Entry kiosk. However, the physical NEXUS card is not used at these kiosks, and members must scan their passports and fingerprints instead.
At all other ports, NEXUS members will need to use their passports or US Lawful Permanent Resident cards. NEXUS members can enjoy the benefits of Global Entry at no additional cost, and this can be used at participating airports worldwide when entering the US. However, some travellers have reported that their NEXUS cards were not accepted by gate agents at US airports, who requested a passport instead. In some cases, travellers have been denied boarding by airline staff who did not recognise the validity of the NEXUS card.
Therefore, it is recommended that NEXUS members always carry their passports when travelling, even though, in theory, their NEXUS card should be sufficient for entry into the US from Canada. While NEXUS cards can be used in place of a passport when entering the US from Canada, this is not always recognised in practice, and carrying a passport can help avoid potential issues with untrained or uninformed gate agents.
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NEXUS cards can be used in place of a passport
NEXUS is a joint initiative by the Canada Border Services Agency and US Customs and Border Protection. It is a Trusted Traveller and expedited border control program designed for pre-approved, low-risk travellers.
NEXUS members can use their membership cards as a valid document under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) in place of a passport when flying between the US and Canada. This is because NEXUS cards are recognised as proof of citizenship. However, it is recommended to carry a valid passport in the rare event that a flight is diverted to an airport without NEXUS support. Additionally, some gate agents may be unaware of the initiative or unable to scan the card, which could cause delays.
NEXUS members can use designated NEXUS lanes at land border crossings and NEXUS kiosks at Canadian airports. When entering the US via Canadian Preclearance airports, members can use Global Entry kiosks. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine reporting locations.
It is important to note that NEXUS cards issued after September 2010 are accepted as proof of citizenship. However, it is always recommended to travel with a passport or proof of permanent residence in case of any issues or requirements to prove citizenship or permanent residence status.
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NEXUS cards are proof of citizenship
NEXUS is a joint initiative between the United States and Canada, allowing pre-screened travellers expedited processing when entering the US or Canada. US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents, and Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico's trusted traveller programme are eligible to apply for membership in the NEXUS programme.
Upon approval, NEXUS members receive a membership identification card to use when entering Canada or the US at all designated NEXUS air, land, and marine ports of entry. NEXUS members flying into Canada from anywhere in the world can take advantage of NEXUS arrival kiosks or eGates. There are 396 marine reporting centres in Canada offering NEXUS privileges. NEXUS members can also take advantage of a variety of options to avoid long line-ups when entering the US, including designated NEXUS lanes at land border crossings.
NEXUS cards are accepted as proof of citizenship when entering the US or Canada. However, some sources suggest that gate agents are often poorly trained and may be unaware that NEXUS cards are valid for travel in the US and Canada. In such cases, it may be easier to simply show your passport. It is recommended that NEXUS members always travel with their passports or proof of permanent residence in case they are required to prove their citizenship or permanent residence status.
NEXUS members can use Global Entry kiosks when entering the US via Canadian Preclearance airports. However, NEXUS cards cannot be used at Global Entry kiosks outside of Canadian Preclearance locations. At all other ports, a passport or US Lawful Permanent Resident card is required.
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NEXUS cards are cheaper than Global Entry
NEXUS and Global Entry are both trusted traveller programmes that help travellers expedite their entry into the United States. As of April 2025, the application fee for Global Entry is $120, while the NEXUS card costs $50, which includes the privileges of Global Entry.
NEXUS is a joint initiative between the US Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency. It is designed to facilitate expedited entry for low-risk travellers who frequently travel between the US and Canada. NEXUS members can take advantage of dedicated processing lanes, kiosks, and eGates at designated border crossings, airports, and marine reporting centres in both countries.
Global Entry, on the other hand, is a programme that facilitates expedited re-entry into the United States from anywhere in the world. It offers pre-screened travellers expedited processing through US Customs and Border Protection upon their return to the US. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck benefits, allowing members to use designated security lines at airports, which are typically faster and more convenient.
While both programmes offer benefits for expedited entry, the NEXUS card is significantly cheaper than Global Entry. The cost difference is due to the more specific focus of NEXUS on US-Canada travel, whereas Global Entry caters to a wider range of international travel.
It is worth noting that some sources indicate that NEXUS members can use Global Entry kiosks at US airports when returning from international destinations other than Canada. However, there are also reports of NEXUS members encountering issues when using their NEXUS card at US airports due to a lack of awareness among gate agents about the card's acceptance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use your Nexus card at US airports, but only at Global Entry kiosks in Canadian Preclearance airports. At all other US airports, you must use your passport or US Lawful Permanent Resident card.
Yes, you should always bring your passport when travelling, even if you have a Nexus card. While the Nexus card can be used in place of a passport when entering the US from Canada, you may encounter gate agents who are unaware of this and will ask for your passport.
At Canadian Preclearance airports, you can use your Nexus card at Global Entry kiosks. At non-preclearance airports, you can use the Global Entry lines, but you will need to scan your passport and fingerprints at the kiosk.
