The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has officially announced the five categories of people who qualify for NEXUS membership, a trusted traveller programme that provides faster border clearance by land, sea, or air between Canada and the United States. The eligibility criteria, published on September 19, 2026, confirm that the programme is open to a defined group of applicants meeting specific nationality and residency requirements.
Who Can Apply for NEXUS Membership?
According to the CBSA, the following five categories of people may apply for NEXUS membership:
- United States citizens
- Canadian citizens
- United States permanent residents
- Canadian permanent residents
- Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable programme
The agency also noted that minors can be enrolled in the NEXUS programme even if their parents or legal guardians are not members. This provision ensures that families with children can still access the benefits of expedited border processing.
The 3-Year Residency Rule and Exemptions
Permanent residents face an additional condition before they can apply. The CBSA requires permanent residents to have been legally resident in Canada or the US for at least three years before submitting an application. This means they must have been physically present in either country for at least 183 days out of every 365 days for each of those three years. The calculation runs backwards from the date of application and does not follow a standard calendar year.
However, certain individuals are exempt from this three-year rule. These include people currently serving in the American armed forces in a foreign country, as well as family members of those serving in the Canadian or American armed forces in a foreign country. Family members of personnel posted to a Canadian or American diplomatic mission or consular post abroad are also exempt.
Purpose and Impact of the NEXUS Programme
The NEXUS programme is designed to speed up border processing for pre-approved, low-risk travellers moving between Canada and the United States, reducing wait times at major entry points. By streamlining clearance procedures, the programme aims to enhance travel efficiency for frequent cross-border commuters.
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that Canada had published the age limit for citizens of 36 countries to qualify for its work and travel scheme. Additionally, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released updated processing times for visa applicants on September 16, 2026, reflecting increases across key application categories for Nigerian applicants compared with the previous week. The most notable changes affected study permits and super visas.
