The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Public Safety Canada, and the Secretariat of Governance of Mexico announced the planned expansion of the existing trusted traveler programs. This expansion is the first step toward the creation of a North American Trusted Traveler network and will be rolled out at the beginning of 2016.

The agreement signed by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and his Mexican and Canadian counterparts stipulates:

• Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s Viajero Confiable program will be able to apply for the US – Canada NEXUS trusted traveler program

• Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS will be able to apply for Viajero Confiable

US citizens are already eligible to apply for the NEXUS and Viajero Confiable trusted traveler programs through existing partnerships between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Public Safety Canada and Mexico’s National Institute of Migration.

The expansion of these programs should create increased mobility and efficiency for current members. It will also provide an attractive option for NAFTA-based employees, given the growth of business throughout North America.  This new network will provide a collaborative-based traveler model system for other regionally clustered countries, particularly given the heightened international cross-border exchanges for business and cultural transactions.

For additional information on US Trusted Traveler programs, click here.

Danielle Lifrieri is author of this article.