NEXUS and FAST fee changes

Summary#

These final regulations — the Regulations Amending the Presentation of Persons (2003) Regulations — change the fees for Canada’s trusted traveller programs. The main practical effects are that the NEXUS application fee rises to US$120 for a five‑year membership and the FAST fee is set at US$50, and the rule that kept most minors exempt from the fee is narrowed. The new fee rules take effect on October 1, 2024 (with an earlier technical change treated as having taken effect on December 1, 2007).

What it does#

• Sets the NEXUS application or renewal fee at US$120 for a five‑year membership.
• Sets the FAST program application fee at US$50.
• Narrows the fee exemption for children under 18 so a child does not have to pay only when:
  • a parent or legal guardian applies at the same time, or
  • the application is for a program other than NEXUS.
• Treats certain earlier fee changes as having come into force on December 1, 2007 (this aligns past practice with the written regulations).
• Announces the main coming-into-force date as October 1, 2024 (applications received after that date will be subject to the new NEXUS fee).

Who's affected#

• People who use or want to join NEXUS — the program for pre‑approved, low‑risk travellers between Canada and the U.S. (there were about 1.8 million NEXUS members as of February 2024).
• A small group of minors: roughly 10% of members are under 18, and the government estimates about 5% of those minors will now have to pay the fee because they apply without a parent/guardian who is also applying or already a member.
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP), which jointly run and share revenues for these programs.
• Border communities and frequent cross‑border travellers, especially at busy crossings where NEXUS use is high.

Why it matters#

• Applying for or renewing NEXUS will cost more: US$120 instead of the practice of US$50. That raises the direct cost for many applicants.
• A small number of children who previously paid nothing will now pay the same fee as adults unless they apply together with a parent or guardian.
• The government says the change is meant to make NEXUS more financially sustainable and reduce reliance on taxpayer funding. The regulatory analysis estimates applicants will pay about Can$230.6 million (present value) over 2024–2033, while taxpayers would see about Can$49.4 million (present value) recovered — a net cost of Can$181.2 million (present value) over that period.
• If you have a pending or new application, payments taken after October 1, 2024 will reflect the new fee. The CBSA will update its web pages and notify members about the change.