DirtyDan

I always thought you needed your passport incase they ask to see it... but my reasoning may not have been sound.

From the Canadian Nexus site (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexu...g.html#_a3b2): When you travel using your NEXUS membership card, you must possess appropriate immigration documents (e.g. a work permit or a visa).

So I'm assuming you do NOT need a passport to enter Canada.


Does anyone know if this holds true for the US side? I can't find anything from the American side stating the need for a passport...

seawolf

For US citizens - 22 U.S.C. § 53
For Canadians - 22 U.S.C. § 41

I bring my passport anyway due to airline agents insisting you have a passport.

Ari

Airline agents are the main obstacle to NEXUS travelers without a passport.

amw3000

Air Canada always nags me to show my passport at YYZ.

mxm23

I found this thread today when looking for information on traveling to and from Canada from the United States without a passport. (I have applied for a business visa to India and they have my passport.)

The situation for permanent residents is different than citizens residing in their own country:

"NEXUS members who are permanent residents of Canada or the U.S. are still required to travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence, and may be requested to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border."

Second paragraph of this answer:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/faq-eng.html#a10

So I won't be going to Canada until I get my passport back from the India Consulate.

It's different for permanent residents entering the United States:

"Requirements for lawful permanent residents of the United States are not changed by the implementation of WHTI. Lawful permanent residents must continue to present a valid Permanent Resident Card. A passport is not required."

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizen...ocs-air-travel

Badenoch

That is very confusing. I am a Canadian citizen and resident who only recently became a Nexus holder. Transiting through YYZ kiosks required a passport scan and fingerprints.

But re-entering Canada from the U.S. through YYZ I need only the NEXUS card and a retinal scan.

Are the requirements different depending on residency or citizenship?

I have yet to do a land crossing. Do I need just the card or a passport too?

BTW, I love Nexus. Having it saved me when Delta fouled up my reservations before a lengthy business trip. Due to their delay I would never have made my flight without Nexus.

seawolf

Just bring both the card and passport. The way I see it is that NEXUS merely speed your crossing. It does not replace passport despite that it technically can.

You're going to run into confused/uninformed airline/border control personnel who will require the passport.

pa3lsvt

Land crossings require a WHTI compliant document. A passport book and a NEXUS card each meet that requirement - only one is necessary but the NEXUS card MUST be presented when using a NEXUS lane. I bring both, just in case I end up flying back for some odd reason (has happened) but am not asked for the passport when land crossing in either direction in the NEXUS lanes.

YYZ-->USA you go through US Customs & Immigration at YYZ Preclearance (and perform a de facto US border entry so the flight can arrive as a 'domestic' US flight), so you were using the Global Entry system included as part of NEXUS. This requires a passport and fingerprints at the kiosk. The same process would occur at the US POE if you flew from a non-Preclearance location.

Anywhere-->YYZ you enter Canada using NEXUS, which requires the card and an iris scan at the kiosk.

That is the reason for the differences.

Ari

The bold above is not true. Try your NEXUS card next time; it works in the GE kiosks at Canadian preclearance airports (but not at US airports).

Badenoch

Thanks for the tip. I never thought to do that as the kiosk asks for the passport. I will give it a try on my next week. I'll still have my passport with me in any event.

This being the case the OP could then go into Canada and back into the U.S. through an airport with pre-clearance such as Toronto if the airline lets him on to the plane with just a Nexus card. I believe Air Canada would but can't say about the others.

GUWonder

NEXUS use replaces passport use for border crossings between the U.S. and Canada -- even for border crossings by air on common carriers subject to the US WHTI -- for citizens of the US or Canada who are residents of the US or Canada.

While some airline reps are unfamiliar with this, they do generally have access to TIMATIC and should realize this when it is allowed as mentioned. The US and Canada border control employees are even less likely to be a show-slower than a show-slowing/show-stopping airline rep.

NEXUS members who are not resident citizens of the US or Canada need to be more careful, whether it is in dealing with airline reps or with the CBSA/CBP.

Ari

The airlines are the obstacle; CBP/CBSA seem to know the rules.

emcampbe

Firstly, airline requirements don't necessarily need to match with customs requirements. So even if CBP/CBSA says a Nexus card is enough, an airline may require a passport for international travel. I've stopped trying to use my Nexus card when checking in - ex-US most check in kiosks won't read them, and agents usually request a passport anyway. Not worth the fight - much easier to just carry a passport.

As for whether CBP/CBSA requires it, I think that's still up for debate for air travel. When randomly sent to secondary, or declaring something and sent there, I've been asked for passport (sometimes, Nexus card also) probably at least half the time. I'd hate to have to have the fight about why I don't need it - truthfully, getting into that argument, whatever the rules specify, the traveller is always the loser. Always.

Ari

Spoken like someone who doesn't have to part with his passport often to get visas.

It isn't a fight or argument because they tend to know the rules. Just because they ask for a passport at secondary (probably by rote) doesn't mean you are required to carry one with your NEXUS card.

GUWonder

NEXUS-only check-in works routinely for AirCanada online and e-kiosk check-in. The other big common carriers of NEXUS members Trans-US/Canada would be AA/US, DL, UA and AS, with Westjet in there too. I use these non-AC carriers for US-Canada travel relatively infrequently compared to AC transborder service and when I do, it's usually for a trip coming from or going to Europe/Asia so generally I have my passport then.