Dec 15 2006

NEXUS Program Expanded to Certain Land, Air and Sea Points of Entry

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced yesterday that NEXUS trusted traveler-crossing privileges have now been expanded to all land, air and sea points of entry where NEXUS locations are currently in place. NEXUS also intends to provide processing locations at a range of additional airports in Canada throughout the coming year.

NEXUS is a program maintained in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency that allows speedier processing at specific highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations for pre-screened and approved travelers. In addition, there is a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at specific marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions.

The NEXUS program “is a true success story and demonstrates the strength of our relationship with Canada,” said W. Ralph Basham, CBP Commissioner. “Since it’s inception in 2002, NEXUS has grown to over 110,000 members, a tribute to the benefits that this program offers. I appreciate that NEXUS improves security while encouraging and facilitating cross-border travel and commerce between our two countries.”

Membership with the NEXUS program fulfills all travel document requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which, as of January 23, 2007, will require a passport or other secure travel document by all U.S. and Canadian citizens who wish to enter or re-enter the U.S. by air. It is expected that NEXUS membership will also be an acceptable program for land and sea travel.