The backlog of Nexus applications in Canada has risen to hundreds of thousands, despite a sharp drop in applicants during the pandemic.
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) says 295,133 Nexus applications have not yet been processed due to the ongoing closure of offices caused by COVID-19.
Future cardholders in the program, which allows pre-approved Canadians to cross separate, fast lines when traveling to the United States, must be evaluated by both the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Services.
The US agency reopened its Nexus registration centers for interviews with candidates on April 19, but the centers in Canada remain closed after they closed in March 2020.
The resulting backlog means some Nexus members are struggling to book sit-ins before their cards expire, as Canadians hoping to renew their status can schedule interviews at less than a dozen border community offices. where there are few places.
The CBSA said in an email that Canada and the United States are discussing when to reopen Canadian enrollment centers.
“Although the backlog in 2019 is not known, I can tell you that the backlog has increased significantly from pre-pandemic levels due to the closure of enrollment centers in March 2020 for reasons of public health,” said spokeswoman Rebecca. Fart.
Meanwhile, the Fast program for cross-border commercial truck drivers is now lagging behind 11,018, CBSA said.
Jacques Roy, a professor of transport management at HEC Montreal Business School, says the lag affects business and leisure travelers. It is also increasing pressure on airports, which are already struggling with a shortage of security staff and endless queues.
“It’s really hard for me to understand why nothing has been done or processed during this period,” Roy said of the ongoing closure of offices.
The CBSA says it continues to conduct distance risk assessments within its standard 30-day period for new applicants or those who want to renew a card soon.
However, after both parties have pre-approved the application, “then the candidate’s burden is to schedule an interview at Nexus / Fast EC (recording center) using the online portal,” the agency said.
She has not set a date for Canadian recording centers to unlock their doors.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 30, 2022.
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