The United States and Canada have jointly taken various security measures in the past couple of years, to better secure the shared border while harmonizing its immigration and security policies with those of other countries. Subsequent efforts have been taken in the previous years to improve border security between the two nations, most significant of which includes a 30-point plan, commonly referred to as the “Smart Border Accord” – a binational deal signed between the two nations on 12^th Dec, 2001. In an attempt to improve border security between the two nations, the Canada-U.S. Partnership Forum (CUSP) was put into effect in 1999 to promote high-level dialogue among governments.

Both the governments continue to implement the provisions in the Smart Border Accord and have greatly expanded trusted travelers programs such as NEXUS. The Nexus program was implemented to fast-track the border crossings of low-risk, pro-approved travelers into the United States and Canada over the Peace and Rainbow Bridges. The Nexus program was introduced as a context contingent response to the contradictory imperatives of national securitization and economic facilitation. The Global Entry Program is yet another recognized program that provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival to the United States. Both are U.S Customs and Border Protection programs that offer travel benefits to the pre-screened members entering the United States and Canada.

What is Nexus Program?

The Nexus program is one of the recognized U.S. Customs and Border Protection programs that allows pro-screened members expedited entry into the United States and Canada. The program is jointly run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Bordet Services Agency, and is designed to fast-track border crossings of low-risk, pre-screened travelers entering the borders of the two nations. It allows pre-approved travelers easy and hassle-free access to the self-serve Nexus kiosks regardless of where they are coming from. Nexus kiosks are located at nine major international airports to gain entry into Canada along with Global Entry kiosks for entering into the United States. The program promises to expedite processing by United States and Canadian officials at dedicated processing lanes.

What is Global Entry Program?

Global Entry is a voluntary U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that promises to provide expedited clearance for low-risk, pre-screened travelers upon arrival to the United States. It is available at certain airports through convenient kiosks that provide entry into the United States. The Global Entry members or pre-approved travelers can simply go to the nearest Global Entry kiosk, skipping the long queues, and present their machine-readable passport or the permanent resident card of the United States, place their fingertips on the fingerprint verification scanner, and make a customs declaration. All the members enrolled in the Nexus program can enjoy the benefits of the Global Entry program. The program was initially limited to Newark and JFK airports but has been expanded to over 40 U.S. airports.

Difference between Nexus and Global Entry Program

1. Program of Nexus and Global Entry Program

– Global Entry is a voluntary U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that promises to provide expedited clearance for low-risk, pre-screened travelers upon arrival to the United States. 

The Nexus program, on the other hand, is the Canadian version of the Global Entry program that allows pro-screened members expedited entry into the United States and Canada. All the members enrolled in the Nexus program can enjoy the benefits of the Global Entry program, allowing you to cross the U.S. or Canadian border, however, the converse is not true. Nexus program has separate clearance criteria as opposed to Global Entry program.

2. Application Fee for Nexus and Global Entry Program

 – Both the Nexus and Global Entry programs allow pre-approved travelers expedited processing at airports and land borders when entering the United States and Canada to get through customs quickly. 

However, Nexus program is more economical as opposed to the Global Entry program because the Nexus application processing fee is only $50 for a 5-year membership, which is half the price of Global Entry. 

The Global Entry membership costs $100 for a 5-year membership and must be paid at the time of submission of application form through the Trusted Traveler Program. Plus you get all the privileges of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck with Nexus.

3. Convenience in Nexus Vs. Global Entry Program

– Nexus kiosks are located at nine major international airports to gain entry into Canada along with Global Entry kiosks for entering into the United States. However, there are only a limited number of enrolment centers for Nexus passes, as compared to Global Entry. 

The Global Entry program was initially limited to Newark and JFK airports but has been expanded to over 40 U.S. airports. Global Entry allows all the privileges of the TSA PreCheck plus expedited entry into the United States, whereas Nexus allows all the benefits of both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.

Nexus vs. Global Entry Program: Comparison Chart

Summary of Nexus Vs. Global Entry Program

Both are U.S Customs and Border Protection programs that offer travel benefits to the pre-screened members entering the United States and Canada. The travel benefits include expedited customs processing which allows you to pass through the long standing queues and extra paperwork. The Nexus program was introduced as a context contingent response to the contradictory imperatives of national securitization and economic facilitation. The Global Entry Program is yet another recognized program that provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival to the United States. Nexus program is more economical as opposed to the Global Entry program because the Nexus application processing fee is only $50 for a 5-year membership, which is half the price of Global Entry.

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