Updated October 27, 2026

NEXUS interview questions: what CBSA and CBP officers check

A NEXUS interview is done by two officers, one from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and one from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They review your application to make sure it's still valid, verify your identity, check your original documents, confirm you're eligible, take your fingerprints and a photo, and explain how to use the program. CBSA says you may be asked about any arrests, charges or convictions. Bring proof of citizenship or permanent residency and proof of where you live, and answer every question truthfully.

How the NEXUS interview works

NEXUS speeds up border crossings into Canada and the United States for low-risk, pre-approved travelers. It's run jointly by CBSA and CBP, so both countries must approve you.

1. Apply online. You apply and pay through CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) system. The fee is $120 (USD), non-refundable, as of October 27, 2026, per CBSA and CBP. Children under 18 are free when a parent or legal guardian is also applying or is already a member.
2. Risk assessments. CBSA and CBP each run a risk assessment. CBSA says applications may be processed within 30 business days, not counting the wait for an interview, and that there's "a significant backlog" for new applicants' interviews.
3. Conditional approval. When both checks are done, your TTP account shows you as conditionally approved and you can schedule the interview.
4. The interview. You must complete it to finalize your membership.

What both officers do. CBSA lists the steps. During your NEXUS interview, the CBSA and CBP officers will:

• review the information on your application to make sure it's still valid
• verify your identity
• review the original versions of your supporting documents, such as proof of citizenship, work permits and visas
• make sure you meet all eligibility requirements
• explain the program's terms and conditions
• take your fingerprints and a picture of your face for your card
• explain how to use NEXUS by land, air and boat
• tell you that you may be inspected any time you enter Canada or the United States

CBSA's October 2026 news release sums it up: interviews include "identity verification, fingerprinting, and questions from both CBSA and U.S. CBP officers."

NEXUS interview questions

Neither agency publishes a list of NEXUS interview questions. CBSA does say what the officers check and what they may ask about, so the questions below come from that. Each one says whether CBSA describes it directly, or whether it's framed as what officers commonly ask about because a CBSA or CBP page says they check it.

Your application and identity

"Is everything on your application still correct?"

• Why they ask: CBSA says officers review your application to make sure the information is still valid.
• What a strong answer does: mentions anything that changed since you applied, like a new address, job or passport.
• Where it comes from: described by CBSA.

"Can I see your proof of citizenship and proof of where you live?"

• Why they ask: officers verify your identity and review the originals of your supporting documents.
• What a strong answer does: hands over the originals you listed on your application.
• Where it comes from: described by CBSA.

"What is your address, and where do you work?"

• Why they ask: the TTP application asks for five years of address and employment history, and officers check the application is still valid.
• What a strong answer does: matches the addresses and jobs you listed, with no guessing.
• Where it comes from: officers commonly ask about this. The TTP site lists it as part of the application.

"Which countries have you traveled to recently?"

• Why they ask: the application asks for five years of international travel history.
• What a strong answer does: lines up with the trips you listed.
• Where it comes from: officers commonly ask about this. The TTP site lists it as part of the application.

Eligibility

"Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of an offense?"

• Why they ask: CBSA says a conviction in any country without a pardon may make you ineligible, and gives impaired driving as an example.
• What a strong answer does: answers truthfully about every arrest, charge or conviction, even old ones, and explains briefly.
• Where it comes from: described by CBSA, which says "you may be questioned about any arrests, charges or convictions."

"Have you ever broken customs, immigration or agriculture rules in Canada or the US?"

• Why they ask: CBSA's program conditions say you must not have violated customs, immigration or agriculture laws. CBSA also says a penalty it issues can get a NEXUS application rejected.
• What a strong answer does: says yes or no plainly, and explains any past seizure or penalty in a sentence.
• Where it comes from: officers commonly ask about this because CBSA lists it as a program condition.

"How long have you lived in Canada or the United States?"

• Who gets this: Permanent residents.
• Why they ask: permanent residents must have lived in Canada or the US for at least 3 years before applying, physically present at least 183 days in each of those years.
• What a strong answer does: gives dates that match your residence and travel history.
• Where it comes from: officers commonly ask about this because CBSA lists the 3-year rule.

"Are you working or studying here? Can I see your permit?"

• Why they ask: CBSA says if you work or study in Canada or the US, you must also provide your work or study permit.
• What a strong answer does: shows a valid permit that matches your application.
• Where it comes from: officers commonly ask about this because CBSA lists the document.

Program rules and children

"Do you understand how NEXUS works and the rules for using it?"

• Why they ask: officers explain the terms and conditions and tell you that you can still be inspected any time you cross.
• What a strong answer does: confirms you understand, and asks about anything that isn't clear.
• Where it comes from: described by CBSA.

"Who has custody of this child, and do you have the consent letter?"

• Who gets this: Minors.
• Why they ask: CBSA requires a consent letter when only one parent with custody attends, or when someone other than a parent or legal guardian brings the child.
• What a strong answer does: shows the signed letter and custody papers, if they apply.
• Where it comes from: officers commonly ask about this because CBSA lists the documents.

What to bring to your NEXUS interview

CBSA says you must provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency, and proof of residency. If you work or study in Canada or the US, bring your permit too.

For the US part done through Enrollment on Arrival, CBP asks for a valid passport (bring all of them if you travel on more than one), documents showing your residence (not needed for minors), a permanent resident card if you have one, and anything else you want to present for your application.

Children. Each family member, including children, needs their own appointment. A parent, legal guardian or another adult must come with a minor. If only one parent with custody attends, or someone else brings the child, bring a letter of consent and supporting custody documents.

NEXUS interview locations and options

CBSA describes three ways to do the interview. Each family member needs their own appointment time.

1. Joint interview with CBSA and CBP officers together at a land enrollment center in the United States.
2. Split interview at a few paired land enrollment centers. You do the first part on one side of the border and the second part on the other side, the same day.
3. Two-step interview at airports. You do the Canadian part at a participating Canadian airport enrollment center, booked through the TTP system. You do the US part, with no appointment, at US Preclearance inside a Canadian airport or with Enrollment on Arrival at a participating US airport. If you start at an airport, you can't finish at a land enrollment center.

For the US part at Preclearance, CBP says interviews are first come, first served, so arrive early and during the published hours. The CBSA and CBP pages list the current locations and hours.

Interview deadlines

You have a limited time to schedule after conditional approval. CBSA announced on October 1, 2026 that the rule is changing:

• Conditionally approved on or after April 1, 2027: schedule within 2 years of your approval date.
• Conditionally approved before April 1, 2027: schedule within 5 years of your approval date, or by April 1, 2029, whichever comes first.

CBSA's advice for anyone waiting: book as soon as possible so your application doesn't expire.

After the NEXUS interview

CBSA says to check the TTP system for updates after your interview, and that approved applicants can expect their card within 4 to 6 weeks. Membership is valid for 5 years.

Renewing. CBSA says you may not need an interview to renew, generally when nothing has changed in your personal information and there's no new information that could affect your eligibility. Renewals may be processed within 30 days. CBP asks members to start renewing 364 days before expiry. Remote video interviews are open to some renewing Global Entry members, and CBP says renewing NEXUS members are being added in phases.

Replacing a card. A lost, stolen or damaged card costs $25 (USD) to replace, as of October 27, 2026, per CBSA, and you may need another interview.

This is interview practice, not legal advice. For questions about your own case, talk to an immigration attorney. Visaful is not affiliated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Canada Border Services Agency, the U.S. Department of State or any government agency.