Canada Amends Residency Rule for NEXUS Participation

13 Jul 2012

The United States and Canada are continuing to work together to improve border security and efficient transnational relationships. As part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness program, the Canada Border Services Agency has lifted the three-year residency requirement for Canadian citizens to apply for NEXUS. NEXUS members are pre-approved travelers who can expedite their travel across the U.S.-Canada border at specified air, land and sea locations.

“This amendment is an important step in strengthening border security efforts between the U.S. and Canada as part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan,” said David Aguilar, Acting CBP Commissioner. “The NEXUS program allows border officers in both the U.S. and Canada to focus on high risk travelers while expediting those that are enrolled in the program.”

By making this change to the three-year residency requirement, the Canadian government is extending membership in NEXUS to citizens of Canada who currently live abroad or who have recently returned to Canada. The U.S. amended the requirement in 2009.