US Nexus enrollment centers reopen after 2 years, but Canadian ones remain closed

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As of last week, U.S. Nexus enrollment centers reopened for users to complete in-person interviews. However, Canadian centers will remain closed indefinitely due to COVID-19, further delaying the enrollment process for users.

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Following through on a promise in late March to reopen Nexus centers in early April, domestic Nexus enrollment centers along the border with Canada are open as of April 5 for new applicants who have been conditionally approved to schedule in-person interviews online, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

These applicants can schedule interviews at U.S. Nexus enrollment centers online via the Trusted Traveler portal. Upon submitting an application and a nonrefundable $50 fee, applicants must successfully pass a background check, at which point they will be prompted to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the process. Although Customs and Border Protection is still conducting remote interviews for all Trusted Traveler program interviews, new in-person availability should help address the current backlog of applicants.

One of the five Trusted Traveler programs administered jointly by the U.S. government and Canada Border Services Agency, Nexus is a program that facilitates expedited entry for travelers crossing the U.S.-Canada border, land and air, via designated Nexus-only lanes.

“NEXUS is a CBP program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk Canadian travelers upon arrival in the United States,” per Customs and Border Protection, which notes that U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents and Mexican nationals can apply for Nexus.

A Nexus membership also includes access to Global Entry kiosks for travelers arriving in the U.S. at eight Canadian Preclearance airports and 12 U.S.-Canada land borders.

Read more: Another way to speed through security: Answers to your questions about Nexus

The program has 1.6 million users enrolled as of last month.

“Applicants may enter the United States to complete their interview, but must meet all applicable travel requirements,” per Customs and Border Protection.

All incoming travelers to the U. S. over age 2 are expected to show results of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 24 hours of departing for the U.S. to airline officials.

As TPG has reported, travelers have experienced delays in processing for all Trusted Traveler programs due to enrollment centers being closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Nexus users, in particular, have felt this burden due to the closure of enrollment centers in Canada.

Even though Canada has loosened entry protocols for travelers overall, its Nexus enrollment centers remain closed “until further notice.”

“CBP asks all applicants to be patient, as there is a backlog of applications to be processed by a limited number of open enrollment centers,” the agency said while noting that it will be prioritizing interview slots for new Nexus applicants.

“CBP asks existing NEXUS members to refrain from scheduling an appointment at this time,” it said. “Existing members are encouraged to renew their applications online before the expiration date on their cards to maintain their membership privileges until they are able to complete an interview at a later time.”

Related: Global Entry tips: How to avoid waiting for an interview and get TSA PreCheck on your boarding passes

Featured photo of travelers waiting to cross the border into the United States at the Peace Arch border crossing between Canada and the United States by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images.