Canadian airports are currently notifying travelers that the NEXUS and Global Entry pre-clearance programs for flights heading to the United States have been suspended. Vancouver International Airport has explicitly linked this development to a partial U.S. government shutdown that commenced on February 14, 2026.
Throughout the day on Sunday, airports in major Canadian cities including Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto advised passengers to allow extra time for security checks when passing through U.S. Customs. Despite the widespread impact, most airports refrained from detailing the reasons behind the suspension of these programs. Calgary International Airport communicated to The Canadian Press via email that NEXUS is governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), thus indicating a lack of further information from the airport's side.
However, Vancouver International Airport took the initiative to provide clarity on its website, asserting that both the NEXUS and Global Entry programs will remain suspended "until further notice" owing to the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown. According to the CBP’s official website, NEXUS is designed to expedite processing times for pre-screened travelers entering the United States and Canada by providing access to dedicated kiosks at airports.
The partial government shutdown was triggered when Democrats and the White House failed to reach a consensus on legislation aimed at funding the Department of Homeland Security. In light of this situation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not respond promptly to inquiries from The Canadian Press regarding the shutdown's implications.
The Department of Homeland Security further indicated that the Global Entry program would be inactive for the duration of the governmental shutdown. Additionally, an advisory on their website highlighted the effects of the ongoing federal funding lapse, pointing out that website management would be limited, leading to potentially outdated information being available to the public.
A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency directed inquiries about the temporary closure of the pre-clearance programs back to American authorities, underscoring the cross-border nature of this issue. The lack of detailed communication from both Canadian and U.S. agencies has left travelers seeking clarity amidst the unfolding situation.
This series of events underscores the complexities surrounding international travel regulations and the direct impact of government operations on these processes. As travelers prepare to navigate increased wait times at security checks, the suspension of these expedited travel programs is a significant inconvenience. The situation remains fluid, with no indication yet of when the programs might resume, leaving many in uncertainty as they plan their travels to the United States.
