To secure the shared border, and maintain the security of ingoing and outgoing migrants, some security measures have been taken.
Nexus and Global Entry Program are both programs implemented by the respective governments to offer benefits and security to travelers entering Canada and the US.
There is an application process through which you can apply and be a member of either of a program or both programs in unison.
Nexus vs Global Entry Program
The difference between Nexus and Global Entry Program is that the Nexus program is run by the US customs and Border protection along with the Canada border service agency. While the Global entry program is run by US customs and Border protection only. The Members of the Nexus program can enjoy the benefits of the Global entry program however, the vice versa is not true.

Nexus is a program implemented by the government which allows pre-screened U.S. and Canadian citizens to immediate border crossings.
These citizens are safe travelers who don’t have to face immigration and custom questioning all the time. The membership for the Nexus program is valid for 5 years.
Global Entry program is a government-based program implemented by the US custom and Border Protection. It is implemented for the safety of travelers.
Earlier this program was implemented in the US only though now it is being expanded to Canada, Australia, and Japan. It allows the privilege of TSA Precheck.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Nexus Program | Global Entry Program |
---|---|---|
Implemented By | Nexus program is implemented by the US customs and Border protection along with the Canada border service agency. | The Global Entry program is implemented by US customs and Border protection. |
Eligibility | US citizen, permanent lawful resident, Canadian Citizen, Canadian lawful resident. | US citizen or permanent lawful resident. |
Passport | Not required for the application process. | Required for the application process. |
Travel Into | Both Canada And the US. | Into the US only. |
Application Processing Time | It takes a little longer. | It doesn’t take that long. |
What is Nexus Program?
Nexus program is a program implemented by the government of the US and Canada for the safety and easy traveling of the passengers.
This program is run by US customs and Border protection along with the Canada border service agency.
Through this program, the members can enjoy the benefits of TSA Precheck as well as of Global Entry program. They dont have to be a member of the Global Entry program.
Being a member of this program the passengers can travel easily and dont have to face immigration questioning into Canada and the US.
Also, they dont have to remove their belts, shoes, and light outwear for the security screening. These benefits are for traveling through land, sea, and air.
Also, they can keep their laptops in their carry-on bags. The members dont have to stand in lines for security checks, they have a separate clearance criterion.
The eligibility criteria for applying to a Nexus program membership is to be a citizen or permanent lawful resident of either the US or Canada. And have to pay the application fees.
The membership of the program is valid for 5 years. Children can also be a member of the program, though they will need a guidances permission.
What is Global Entry Program?
The Global Entry program is implemented by the government of the US. tt is a custom and border protection program.
Identification is used of these members in the application process making them pre-approved, low-risk, and safe travelers.
The eligibility is to be a permanent lawful resident of the US. And The applicants have to go through a background check and in-person interview.
They can use it when they travel into the US from Canada. Though like the nexus program the people cannot use this membership while they enter Canada from the US.
The members can identify themselves with the Global Entry Kiosk with their fingerprints and machine-readable passport to complete the customs declaration.
The members dont have to stay in lines for security checks and dont have to face custom questioning. The people traveling through air, land, and sea in the US can enjoy these benefits.
The program is run to speed the process but if there is any violation of the program’s terms and conditions, action will be taken strictly.
It can also lead to the termination of the membership. Almost 40 airports in the US have the program going on with more coming around slowly. The membership is valid for five years.
Main Differences Between Nexus And Global Entry Program
- Nexus program is implemented by the US customs and Border protection along with the Canada border service agency. While the Global Entry program is run by US customs and Border protection only.
- The application fees of the Nexus program are just half of the Global entry program.
- The members of the Nexus program can use their membership cards in entering both the US and Canada. That means they have the benefits of the global entry program too. Though with the global entry program, members can enter the US from Canada but cannot enter Canada from the US.
- Both Canadian and US citizens can apply for the Nexus program. A Canadian Citizen can not apply for a global entry program.
- A passport is not required in the Nexus program application process while it is required in the global entry program application process.
References
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/f279cd8231546deb5ff03393456b996b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=24820
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010465515002982
My name is Piyush Yadav, and I am a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. You can read more about me on my bio page.