Last edit by: seawolf
CBSA published NEXUS processing times to get to conditional approval can be found here. The most recently published processing time is below, along with a short history of recent official published times. A longer history of published wait times is here, via the Internet Archive Wayback machine. Please post your personal experiences below in the thread. All posts are appreciated. Thank you/Merci!
5 business days as of 2020-04-29
30 business days as of 2020-02-17
39 business days as of 2019-10-07
40 business days as of 2019-08-28
25 business days as of 2019-04-11
5 business days as of 2020-04-29
30 business days as of 2020-02-17
39 business days as of 2019-10-07
40 business days as of 2019-08-28
25 business days as of 2019-04-11
NEXUS First Time Applications Information and Processing Timelines
#1396
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 25
With the tightened security going into the States from Canada, my parents decided it was worth it to apply for the Nexus pass, if anything, to get through security faster. I'll update here with their times as they move through the stages:
Applied(initial): 7/23/2017
Conditional Approval:
Initial Interview:
Approved:
Applied(initial): 7/23/2017
Conditional Approval:
Initial Interview:
Approved:
#1397
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
Something definitely happened. I finally convinced a travel companion to apply for NEXUS and she did so.
Application Date: July 08
Conditional Approval: July 14
Interview: July 21 in Detroit
I didn't believe it but she logged in and showed me it's true. However, I applied for a NEXUS renewal on July 3rd and I'm still waiting, so who knows what's up...
Application Date: July 08
Conditional Approval: July 14
Interview: July 21 in Detroit
I didn't believe it but she logged in and showed me it's true. However, I applied for a NEXUS renewal on July 3rd and I'm still waiting, so who knows what's up...
#1399
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 10
My son application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/19/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My wife application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/27/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval:
Initial Interview:
Approved:
Card Arrived:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/19/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My wife application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/27/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval:
Initial Interview:
Approved:
Card Arrived:
#1400


Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,602
My son application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/19/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My wife application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/27/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval:
Initial Interview:
Approved:
Card Arrived:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/19/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My wife application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/27/2017
Initial Interview: 8/08/2017 Champlain, New York
Approved:
Card Arrived:
My application:
Applied(initial): 6/06/2017
Conditional Approval:
Initial Interview:
Approved:
Card Arrived:
#1402


Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
To be honest, I don't quite see the reason why there are differences in the way NEXUS is processed/used depending on the country. Locations that don't take Iris scans right now, which, from my understanding, are generally land crossings run by CBP (as an opposite example, the Peace Bridge crossing in Fort Erie/Buffalo is on the Canadian side and does do iris scans), should implement the technology to do so, as it's a relatively straightforward procedure and the technology exists already, as it's already being used at Canadian interview locations. I wouldn't have even known there was any difference in the types of biometrics taken depending on location if it weren't for Flyertalk. The GOES website only indicates in small print at the bottom of your confirmation page "Special Instructions: Retinal scans are available at this location." As far as I can tell there is no way to see on GOES which locations have retinal scans available without first confirming an appointment--an unnecessary lack of clear information. The NEXUS application page itself makes no mention of any differences in the way the card is used while entering Canada vs entering the US. I'd hate to have only taken my fingerprints, take a trip to Canada, and be rejected by the NEXUS kiosk because I didn't have an iris scan that I didn't even know existed before. Likewise, I know I can travel to Canada with just my NEXUS card, but the Global Entry kiosks are not clear in allowing one to travel with just a NEXUS card back to the US (it is possible, however, though not for Canadian Permanent Residents). All in all the procedures and capabilities of the cards can misleadingly vary depending on interview location and country of departure and citizenship.
#1403



Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM 1MM
Posts: 3,561
I'm not, but that is only because the iris scan is only required if using NEXUS in the air mode when entering Canada. If you're using NEXUS to cross the border at land or sea (as many people who have it do), the iris scan is not required. The USA also does not require the iris scan at all.
To be honest, I don't quite see the reason why there are differences in the way NEXUS is processed/used depending on the country. Locations that don't take Iris scans right now, which, from my understanding, are generally land crossings run by CBP (as an opposite example, the Peace Bridge crossing in Fort Erie/Buffalo is on the Canadian side and does do iris scans), should implement the technology to do so, as it's a relatively straightforward procedure and the technology exists already, as it's already being used at Canadian interview locations. I wouldn't have even known there was any difference in the types of biometrics taken depending on location if it weren't for Flyertalk. The GOES website only indicates in small print at the bottom of your confirmation page "Special Instructions: Retinal scans are available at this location." As far as I can tell there is no way to see on GOES which locations have retinal scans available without first confirming an appointment--an unnecessary lack of clear information. The NEXUS application page itself makes no mention of any differences in the way the card is used while entering Canada vs entering the US. I'd hate to have only taken my fingerprints, take a trip to Canada, and be rejected by the NEXUS kiosk because I didn't have an iris scan that I didn't even know existed before. Likewise, I know I can travel to Canada with just my NEXUS card, but the Global Entry kiosks are not clear in allowing one to travel with just a NEXUS card back to the US (it is possible, however, though not for Canadian Permanent Residents). All in all the procedures and capabilities of the cards can misleadingly vary depending on interview location and country of departure and citizenship.
The only Nexus machines which USE the iris scan are the Nexus kiosks at Canadian airports. If you want to enter Canada by Air using one of these Nexus kiosks, you must have an iris scan. If you want to enter Canada by any other means (land or sea), you don't need an iris scan.
Here's a list of the Nexus enrollment centers. Each center's entry in this list identifies whether they take iris scans (check both the Land and Airport lists).
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/location-eng.html
#1404


Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAS/GRU/DUB
Programs: Amex, JPMR, Nexus
Posts: 376
To be honest, I don't quite see the reason why there are differences in the way NEXUS is processed/used depending on the country. Locations that don't take Iris scans right now, which, from my understanding, are generally land crossings run by CBP (as an opposite example, the Peace Bridge crossing in Fort Erie/Buffalo is on the Canadian side and does do iris scans), should implement the technology to do so, as it's a relatively straightforward procedure and the technology exists already, as it's already being used at Canadian interview locations. I wouldn't have even known there was any difference in the types of biometrics taken depending on location if it weren't for Flyertalk. The GOES website only indicates in small print at the bottom of your confirmation page "Special Instructions: Retinal scans are available at this location." As far as I can tell there is no way to see on GOES which locations have retinal scans available without first confirming an appointment--an unnecessary lack of clear information. The NEXUS application page itself makes no mention of any differences in the way the card is used while entering Canada vs entering the US. I'd hate to have only taken my fingerprints, take a trip to Canada, and be rejected by the NEXUS kiosk because I didn't have an iris scan that I didn't even know existed before. Likewise, I know I can travel to Canada with just my NEXUS card, but the Global Entry kiosks are not clear in allowing one to travel with just a NEXUS card back to the US (it is possible, however, though not for Canadian Permanent Residents). All in all the procedures and capabilities of the cards can misleadingly vary depending on interview location and country of departure and citizenship.
#1405
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2
Applied(initial): 5/26/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/24/2017
Initial Interview: 7/25/2017 Pearson
Approved: 7/25/2017
Card Arrived: 8/1/2017
I was very lucky with interview. Initially could only find interviews in Sep but after checking many, many times (20?) somebody canceled.
Also, I noticed they accept walk ins. However there is no guarantee they will see you. I showed up in the morning (appointment at 645pm) but waited for 1 hour noticed a lot of people in line with appointments and left. Came at 4pm and they saw me 45 mins later
Interview was very cursory and quick
Conditional Approval: 7/24/2017
Initial Interview: 7/25/2017 Pearson
Approved: 7/25/2017
Card Arrived: 8/1/2017
I was very lucky with interview. Initially could only find interviews in Sep but after checking many, many times (20?) somebody canceled.
Also, I noticed they accept walk ins. However there is no guarantee they will see you. I showed up in the morning (appointment at 645pm) but waited for 1 hour noticed a lot of people in line with appointments and left. Came at 4pm and they saw me 45 mins later
Interview was very cursory and quick
#1406
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: ACSEMM, WY Gold
Posts: 184
Applied: 6/2/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/26/2017
Initial Interview: 7/31/2017 YEG
Approved: 7/31/2017
Card Arrived: 8/9/2017
Initial interview dates were for Mid October. Kept checking back for cancellations and found one on July 30th for the next day. When I showed up, the Canadian Border Patrol didn't have me listed for an interview but the US list did. It is a good idea to print off the appointment page and take that with you. Just in case.
Conditional Approval: 7/26/2017
Initial Interview: 7/31/2017 YEG
Approved: 7/31/2017
Card Arrived: 8/9/2017
Initial interview dates were for Mid October. Kept checking back for cancellations and found one on July 30th for the next day. When I showed up, the Canadian Border Patrol didn't have me listed for an interview but the US list did. It is a good idea to print off the appointment page and take that with you. Just in case.
#1407
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Cle
Programs: United Plat; Starwoods Platinum
Posts: 27
Applied: 7/13/2017
Conditional Approval: 8/11/2017
Initial Interview: Planning to do this either in Montreal or Ottawa
Approved:
Card Arrived:
I am also a Global entry member for last 4 years.
Conditional Approval: 8/11/2017
Initial Interview: Planning to do this either in Montreal or Ottawa
Approved:
Card Arrived:
I am also a Global entry member for last 4 years.
#1408
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Applied(initial): 6/18/2017
Conditional Approval: 7/31/2017
Initial Interview: 8/4/2017 Vancouver,BC @ Main St
Approved: 8/4/2017
Card Arrived: 8/15/2017
Was able to get an interview slot in 5 days after conditional approval (Aug 4). Otherwise it would have been mid September for both YVR and Main street locations.
Conditional Approval: 7/31/2017
Initial Interview: 8/4/2017 Vancouver,BC @ Main St
Approved: 8/4/2017
Card Arrived: 8/15/2017
Was able to get an interview slot in 5 days after conditional approval (Aug 4). Otherwise it would have been mid September for both YVR and Main street locations.
#1409
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Applied: 7/31/2017
Conditional Approval: 8/17/2017
Initial Interview: Planning to do this in Niagara Falls
Approved:
Card Arrived:
Does anyone have experience to schedule appointments for a family (we are a family of four)? Do those appointments have to be adjacent? How do I know if one interview slot allows multiple appointments? Thanks!
Conditional Approval: 8/17/2017
Initial Interview: Planning to do this in Niagara Falls
Approved:
Card Arrived:
Does anyone have experience to schedule appointments for a family (we are a family of four)? Do those appointments have to be adjacent? How do I know if one interview slot allows multiple appointments? Thanks!
#1410


Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAS/GRU/DUB
Programs: Amex, JPMR, Nexus
Posts: 376
Applied: 7/31/2017
Conditional Approval: 8/17/2017
Initial Interview: Planning to do this in Niagara Falls
Approved:
Card Arrived:
Does anyone have experience to schedule appointments for a family (we are a family of four)? Do those appointments have to be adjacent? How do I know if one interview slot allows multiple appointments? Thanks!
Conditional Approval: 8/17/2017
Initial Interview: Planning to do this in Niagara Falls
Approved:
Card Arrived:
Does anyone have experience to schedule appointments for a family (we are a family of four)? Do those appointments have to be adjacent? How do I know if one interview slot allows multiple appointments? Thanks!



