A NEXUS membership card sits beside a Canadian passport in a photo taken in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Travellers flying from Canada to the United States faced longer wait times this weekend after several Canadian airports announced the suspension of NEXUS and Global Entry services.
Airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto alerted passengers that the trusted traveller programs were unavailable for U.S.-bound flights. Officials asked travellers heading through U.S. pre-clearance areas to arrive early and expect delays.
Programs Suspended Without Notice
Most airports did not provide detailed explanations for the sudden change. Calgary International Airport stated in an email that NEXUS falls under the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and that the airport did not have further information.
Vancouver International Airport directly linked the suspension to the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown. On its website, the airport said NEXUS and Global Entry services were paused “due to the partial U.S. Government shutdown” and would remain suspended until further notice.
What NEXUS and Global Entry Do
NEXUS allows pre-approved travellers to move more quickly through customs when entering Canada or the United States. Members use dedicated kiosks and shorter security lines at airports.
Global Entry offers similar benefits for entry into the United States. These programs help frequent travellers save time by completing background checks and interviews in advance.
With both services paused, travellers must now use regular customs lines, leading to longer processing times at airport pre-clearance areas.
Shutdown Impacts Border Services
The partial shutdown began on Feb. 14 after lawmakers and the White House failed to reach an agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
According to reports from U.S. officials, the Global Entry program will remain shut down for as long as the funding lapse continues.
The Department of Homeland Security’s website also posted a notice stating that the site may not receive regular updates during the shutdown period. Officials warned that some information could become outdated.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to questions about the suspension.
Canadian Officials Direct Questions South
The Canada Border Services Agency referred inquiries about the closures to U.S. authorities, noting that American agencies manage the pre-clearance programs.
Pre-clearance allows travellers to complete U.S. customs checks at Canadian airports before boarding flights to American destinations. The system speeds up arrivals in the United States and reduces congestion at U.S. airports.
With NEXUS and Global Entry unavailable, airports expect heavier lines at security and customs counters.
Travellers Urged to Plan Ahead
Airport authorities continue to advise passengers flying to the United States to allow extra time before departure.
The suspension affects some of Canada’s busiest airports and could lead to delays, particularly during peak travel periods.
Travellers who rely on NEXUS for faster processing must now prepare for standard procedures until U.S. government operations fully resume.
Officials have not provided a timeline for when the programs will return.
