I was wondering what's the average time it takes to approve the Nexus application? I already have GE and was thinking of applying for Nexus. I'm going to be going to Canada in about 4 weeks and I wasn't sure if the timeframe is too tight. I read a few posts earlier that some people got a conditional approval then got formally approved and it didn't require an interview but that varies obviously. I was thinking of applying today and seeing if it was possible to get Nexus before I go there but I know the timeframe is cutting a bit close.

It's unlikely, to put it mildly, that you'd be fully approved for Nexus and receive your card in the mail before your trip to Canada four weeks from now, but if you're a regular visitor to Canada, Nexus is a step up from Global Entry and I'm a big fan of the program, as long as you can make it to an enrollment center for an interview once you are conditionally approved.

Do you know if the interview slots are really far out once you get approved? I was thinking maybe I can do the interview when I go there in a few weeks if I get conditionally approved. I've been to Canada a few times in the last couple of years already but w/o Nexus. I was thinking of getting it to save some time.

The stars must really align to get fully approved in 4 weeks especially when others have been waiting for 18 months or more.

Not enough data to suggest that. That application (submitted July 2021) sat in purgatory for more than a year before it got processed. Refer back to post 1387. A number of other applications submitted around that time also went to fully approved. You may want to inquire with those members to see where they had their prior interview. But as I have previously provided that official CBSA documentation indicates enrollment centres do not perform background checks.

Chances are you can’t even get an appointment once you are conditional approved as all slots within the next 3 months have already been booked. You will be at the mercy of someone cancelling a couple of days in advance. Batches of appointments (around >90 days in advance) will eventually get released. They will last a couple of days before being all booked up as well.

Do note that the only enrollment centres open are on the US side of the border.

Thanks for the update and letting me know. I'll just apply and see how it goes with the application.

What's the number that people to use to check up on the status? 8 months for a conditional approval now...

Plenty of us have been waiting l:onger...

I noticed when I login to check status of application, there is a PASS ID number on the top right? I am still awaiting conditional approval. Was that there all along since application submission and I didn't notice? do others waiting for conditional approval also have that number on top right? thanks!

Yes. That number is issued upon submission and becomes your KTN once approved.

oh i see! I got excited for a bit thinking things are moving faster. Thanks

I was one of the lucky ones with only ~4 months start to finish, so sharing my timeline for an initial application.

Applied: ~ mid may? Can't recall date
Conditionally approved: June 28
Interview: September 17 (opted to wait until then to align with other things but could have gotten sooner cancellations) in Niagara Falls
Full approval: Sept 17
Card recieved: Oct 4

Potentially relevant circumstances: Canadian, 24 y/o, no intl travel in past 5 years (only US). Have moved and changed jobs several times. Was a student until May 2020 and again from Jan 2021-Dec 2021. Have reliability security clearance w/ Canadian gov. From a summer job in 2018.

My partner (American) applied shortly after I did and is still awaiting conditional approval. He is 22, one employer in past 5yr, but does have intl travel in past 5yr and had his identity stolen when he was younger.

Any updates from those who are waiting over 18 months? Anyone recently get CA?

Progress!
 

Finally after 18.5 months my almost 2 year old is conditionally approved! Guess appts are still hot, as there was one at Blaine centre for Nov 24, for 10 seconds and then gone.

Applied May 3, 2021
Called 2x during that time after it was past processing times (when it was 12-14 months then 16-18).
Conditionally approved Nov 16, 2022

7 min before our email notification for change, I recieved a reply back to our case number to log in to his account to see status. So maybe the 2nd escalated case helped.

That's great! Maybe this is the beginning of an avalanche of approvals!

I applied for Nexus a couple months ago, in Sep 2022. I had Global Entry before, so I guess I would be considered a new Nexus customer. I continue to wait, but I'm only at 2 months so far, which pales to your child's 18+ months.

So if your son is now almost 2, I guess he was just a few months old when you applied?

yes, Hope they are starting to process more and more. Hopefully Canada offices will open soon too.

Yes, we got his dual citizenship at 3 months and applied for his nexus when he was 4 months old. My oldest had his nexus at 2 months old.