Question Period Note: NEXUS Application Backlog

Recent media coverage regarding NEXUS application backlog.

• The NEXUS program is jointly administered by Canada and the United States (US). As such, all decisions are taken in a binational manner.

• NEXUS enrolment centres reopened in the United States on April 19, 2022. Canadian citizens can now book an interview at the nearest US centre.

• Due to the extended closure of the NEXUS enrolment centres, there is a significant backlog to tackle. The CBSA and US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) are working together on a backlog reduction strategy.

• The CBSA and the US CBP have extended the NEXUS membership period for all those who have renewed their membership prior to the expiry date on their card.

• Canada and the US remain in discussions regarding the reopening of centres located in Canada that were closed as a result of COVID.

• Until decisions are finalized regarding the reopening, those in Canada will remain closed.

• We will advise the public once a decision to reopen Canadian Enrolment Centres has been rendered.

Nexus Program
• NEXUS is a bi-national, Canada-United States program for pre-approved, low-risk travellers entering Canada or the United States at designated air, land and marine ports of entry.

• The program is jointly operated by the Canada Border Services Agency and United States Customs and Border Protection.

Closure of Canadian Enrolment Centres
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NEXUS enrolment centers (ECs) in Canada closed in March 19, 2020, and ECs in the US suspended NEXUS interviews at that time as well.

• ECs in the US resumed NEXUS interviews on November 29, 2021, but had to suspend them again on December 20, 2021 due to the Omicron variant and the resulting requirement for travelers to be tested for COVID before returning to Canada.

• ECs in the US resumed NEXUS interviews again on April 19, 2022.

• As the NEXUS program is jointly administered by Canada and the US, there are ongoing discussions about the timing of the reopening of Canadian enrolment centers. Until that time, enrolment centres in Canada will continue to be closed.

• The CBSA and CBP have received multiple complaints about Canadian ECs not reopening. This matter has also received media attention.

• Due to the extended closure of NEXUS ECs, there is currently a backlog of more than 295,493 NEXUS applicants waiting for an interview.

• The CBSA and CBP are currently working on a backlog reduction strategy.

• The closure of NEXUS ECs throughout the pandemic has caused a high demand for interviews. As such, interview appointments may only be available months from now. Interview availability depends on interview location, as some ECs have longer wait times than others.

• There are currently 12 NEXUS ECs conducting interviews in the US. An additional 11 NEXUS ECs are located in Canada, which remain closed for the moment. See table below. HIGHWAY ENROLMENT CENTRE

Blaine / Pacific Highway
Calais / St. Stephen
Champlain / Lacolle
Derby Line / Stanstead
Detroit / Windsor
Fort Erie / Buffalo*
Fort Frances / International Falls
Lansdowne*
Niagara Falls
Pembina / Emerson
Port Huron / Sarnia
Sault Ste. Marie
Sweetgrass / Coutts
Warroad / Sprague
Woodstock*
* Canadian locations AIR ENROLMENT CENTRE

Calgary International Airport
Edmonton International Airport
Halifax International Airport
Montreal International Airport
Ottawa International Airport
Toronto International Airport
Vancouver International Airport
Winnipeg International Airport

None