Yes—TSA PreCheck for Canadians is available via NEXUS; direct PreCheck requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence.
Direct As Canadian
NEXUS Route
U.S. Status
Paths To Qualify
- Join NEXUS and use your PASSID as KTN
- Hold U.S. lawful permanent residence
- Hold U.S. citizenship or national status
Eligibility
Booking Steps
- Enter KTN in flight profile
- Match your name exactly
- Check for PreCheck on boarding pass
How-To
Where It Works
- U.S. airport checkpoints
- Domestic connections after U.S. entry
- Use CATSA Verified Traveller in Canada
Scope
Getting TSA PreCheck As A Canadian: Paths That Work
There are two clean ways to reach the lane. First, become a NEXUS member as a Canadian citizen and use the PASSID on your card as your Known Traveler Number. That link delivers TSA PreCheck when the airline and route are in the program. Second, if you also hold a U.S. green card or U.S. citizenship, you can apply to the TSA PreCheck application program outright. The TSA page on eligibility explains who can apply through the application route. See the TSA wording.
Direct application as a Canadian citizen alone isn’t available. That’s why NEXUS is the usual door. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirms that Canadian citizens who are NEXUS members may use TSA PreCheck once they add the correct number during booking and receive the PreCheck indicator.
Eligibility Snapshot: Quick Table
| Route | Who Qualifies | Action |
|---|---|---|
| NEXUS → TSA PreCheck | Canadian citizens approved for NEXUS | Enter PASSID as KTN in your profile; name must match your passport |
| Direct TSA PreCheck | U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents | Apply with a TSA enrollment provider; attend fingerprinting; wait for KTN |
| Global Entry → TSA PreCheck | Eligible citizens of partner countries plus U.S. LPRs | Use PASSID as KTN; benefits show when the airline supports PreCheck |
NEXUS: The Fast Door To TSA PreCheck
NEXUS is a joint program run by CBP and CBSA. It speeds land border crossings, supports air entries, and—crucially for flyers—feeds TSA PreCheck when you fly from U.S. airports. After approval, log in to your airline account and store the nine-digit PASSID from your NEXUS card under the Known Traveler Number field. Book as usual and watch for the TSA PreCheck indicator on the boarding pass.
If the indicator doesn’t print, check four things: your name format in the airline profile, your date of birth, your PASSID digits, and whether the airline participates. One mismatch blocks the flag. Fix the profile, re-save the reservation, and reprint the pass.
How NEXUS Plays With Canadian Screening
At Canadian checkpoints, screening is handled by CATSA. TSA PreCheck isn’t used there. Canada now runs Verified Traveller lines at select airports, giving a similar experience on many flights. NEXUS and Global Entry members are eligible for those lanes. See the program details.
Direct TSA PreCheck For Green Card Holders
Plenty of Canadians live in the U.S. as lawful permanent residents. If that’s you, apply to TSA PreCheck directly. Pick an enrollment provider, submit the form, get fingerprinted, and wait for approval. Once your KTN arrives, store it in every airline profile you use.
Approval isn’t a guarantee. TSA runs a security threat assessment and reviews disqualifying offenses. If you’re renewing after an old incident or a name change, bring original documents to the center to avoid delays.
Where The Benefit Applies
TSA PreCheck runs at U.S. airport checkpoints and on domestic connections after clearing U.S. entry. Flying from Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary to the States? You’ll do security in Canada with CATSA. Use Verified Traveller there when available, then enjoy PreCheck on onward U.S. connections if your next checkpoint supports it and your pass shows the indicator.
Family And Teens
Children 12 and under can use the lane when traveling with an adult whose boarding pass shows the indicator. Ages 13–17 may use it only when their own boarding pass shows the mark on the same reservation. If the teen’s pass lacks the indicator, use the standard lane together.
How To Add And Use Your KTN
First, find the PASSID/KTN. It’s printed on the back of your NEXUS card and listed in your Trusted Traveler Programs account. Save it in every frequent flyer profile you use. Then, when you book, confirm the profile pulled the KTN into the reservation. If you book as a guest, enter the KTN during checkout.
Fixing Common Profile Mismatches
Match the name order in your airline profile to the passport and to your TTP account. Watch for middle names or extra spaces. Use the same date of birth everywhere. If you changed your name, update your TTP profile and each airline profile, then reissue tickets if needed.
Fees, Timelines, And Value
Pick the lane that fits your trips and your wallet. The table below lines up the basics many travelers ask about.
| Program | Fee & Term | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | About $78–$85 for 5 years (provider varies) | Expedited U.S. checkpoint screening; no shoes, belt, laptop removal |
| NEXUS | USD/CAD $50 for 5 years | Border lanes, kiosk access, and TSA PreCheck for Canadian citizens who are members |
| Global Entry | $100 for 5 years | Fast U.S. arrivals plus TSA PreCheck for eligible members |
Which One Pays Off Fast?
Fly mostly within the U.S. and hold a green card? TSA PreCheck is simple and quick. Cross the land border or fly Canada↔U.S. often as a Canadian citizen? NEXUS is a bargain and unlocks PreCheck once you use the PASSID as your KTN. Mix a few international trips into the year? Global Entry can save time on return, while still feeding the PreCheck flag.
Common Snags And Quick Fixes
The Indicator Is Missing
Check airline participation, name format, date of birth, and the nine digits of the KTN. If you recently renewed, confirm the same number carried over. Some systems strip middle names from one field and move them to another; align them across your profiles and re-save.
I’m A Canadian Permanent Resident With NEXUS
NEXUS welcomes Canadian permanent residents. TSA PreCheck benefits tie to the rules for who may use PreCheck from that program. CBP’s PreCheck page singles out Canadian citizens in NEXUS for PreCheck eligibility. If you’re a PR, review Global Entry as a path, or consider TSA PreCheck if you also hold U.S. LPR status.
Booking For A Family
Put the adult’s KTN in the reservation and keep everyone on one record where possible. Younger kids can follow the adult into the lane. Teens need the indicator printed on their own passes.
Which Program Should You Pick?
If you’re a Canadian citizen who travels to the U.S. a few times a year and sometimes drives across the border, NEXUS gives broad value for the smallest fee. If you live in the States with a green card and fly often within the country, TSA PreCheck is direct and quick. If your calendar includes multiple returns from overseas, Global Entry clears the arrivals bottleneck and still hands you a KTN for PreCheck.
Simple Step-By-Step
Choose the program that fits your status. Apply online. Finish the interview or fingerprint step. Store your KTN in each airline profile. Book flights and confirm the PreCheck mark appears. At the airport, follow the signs and keep laptops and liquids in your bag unless told otherwise.
Final Pointers That Save Time
Enroll once, then let your profiles do the work. Keep your passport and KTN details identical across accounts. If you renew or change your name, sweep every airline profile and upcoming booking. When departing from Canada, look for Verified Traveller signage. On the U.S. side, the green lane sign is your cue. Smooth inputs create smooth screening.