NEXUS members can cross the border faster at the Whirlpool Bridge

The Whirlpool Bridge is a dedicated NEXUS crossing, connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York. Only NEXUS members are permitted to access the bridge, resulting in minimal to no delays when crossing the border.

Hours of operation at Whirlpool Bridge

Monday – Sunday

7 am to 11 pm

Using your NEXUS card at the Whirlpool Bridge

From Canada

Scan your NEXUS photo-identification card at the reader located at the entrance to the bridge to the United States. The reader will confirm that you are a member and the gate will open and allow you to proceed to the United States. When you arrive at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lanes, you must stop as indicated and proceed to the NEXUS identification reader when the lane is clear. Scan the NEXUS cards for everyone in the vehicle and continue to the inspection booth with the CBP officer for clearance.

From United States

Scan your NEXUS card at the NEXUS reader located at the entrance gate. Your card will be checked for security clearance and the gate will open after the toll is deducted from your account or your E-ZPass reader. A successful operation will be signalled by a green light, a “Thank you for using NEXUS” message on the patron fare indicator and the gate will open. You may then proceed across the bridge to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) lanes where you must stop as indicated and proceed to the NEXUS identification reader when the lane is clear. Scan the NEXUS cards for everyone in the vehicle and continue to the inspection booth with the CBSA officer for clearance.

Toll at Whirlpool Bridge

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) toll is collected on the U.S. side, as vehicles enter Canada. Cash and tokens are not accepted to pay the toll. Toll payment can either be made electronically with E-ZPass or using your prepaid NEXUS card. For more information on the NFBC toll payment options, refer to the NFBC website.

About the NEXUS program

NEXUS is a joint initiative of the CBSA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The NEXUS program is designed to expedite the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk NEXUS members travelling between Canada and the United States. This allows both countries to focus their efforts on unknown and potentially higher-risk travellers and goods.

Membership benefits

NEXUS members can enjoy the benefits of simplified border crossings in land, marine and air modes of travel by:

• Using designated NEXUS lanes at land borders or the NEXUS-only Whirlpool Bridge when all occupants of the vehicle are NEXUS cardholders;
• Reporting to a marine telephone reporting center in advance of arrival by recreational boat to the U.S. or Canada when all persons on board are NEXUS cardholders;
• Using automated NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada or Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S. via Canadian preclearance airports; and
• Using a NEXUS card as an alternative document to the passport for entry into Canada and the United States by land or boat.

Becoming a member

• You may qualify to participate in NEXUS if you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States, or a Mexican national who is also a member of the Viajero Confiable program.
• You must submit an application by mail or online through the Trusted Traveler Programs System and then go through an enrolment process.
• There is a non-refundable CAN$50 or US$50 processing fee for adults. Children under the age of 18 are free.
• Applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria, be admissible into Canada and the United States, and pass risk assessments performed by both countries.
• Successful applicants will receive a NEXUS card that is valid for five years, at which time participants must renew their membership.

For more information about NEXUS, visit www.nexus.gc.ca or www.cbp.gov.