The Canada Border Services Agency and US Customs and Border Protection jointly announced the expansion on June 18. The dedicated NEXUS lane at Peace Arch will operate 24 hours daily from July 1. Membership requires a five-year background check and C$120 fee.
Current NEXUS members number 1.8 million and can use the lane immediately after activation. Regular travellers will see separate signage to avoid confusion. The change follows a successful pilot at the Detroit-Windsor tunnel last year.
Both countries aim to reduce average wait times from 45 minutes to under 20 minutes. The program aligns with post-pandemic travel recovery targets set in 2025. Additional crossings may receive similar lanes by 2027.
What this means for you
Apply for NEXUS now if crossing frequently, as processing takes up to eight weeks. Keep your membership card visible when approaching the new lane. Download the CBP One app for real-time lane status updates.
Avoid peak Friday and Sunday afternoons if not enrolled. Have passports and declarations ready to maintain express-lane speed.
Further automation using facial recognition is scheduled for testing later this year.