Traveling with NEXUS without a Passport
Aug 12, 2016, 7:15 am
#181
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
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As a Canadian citizen with a permanent residency in the US and Nexus membership, in the past 3 months I crossed the border (BC <> WA) exactly 15 times, by all possible means (air, sea and land) using my Nexus alone (into Canada, Nexus+PR card into the US) and never had a single problem.
At SEA and YVR my Nexus card was accepted by AS and AC gate agents without a problem.
Still I carry my passport at all times, just waiting for that one dumb agent who might ignore the law.
At SEA and YVR my Nexus card was accepted by AS and AC gate agents without a problem.
Still I carry my passport at all times, just waiting for that one dumb agent who might ignore the law.
Aug 12, 2016, 7:25 am
#182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Aug 12, 2016, 7:43 am
#183
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No, but it doesn't mean an airline can't be subject to breach of contract claims or even regulatory violation claims for failing to transport ticketed passengers with governmentally-accepted international travel documents.
Aug 12, 2016, 8:08 am
#184
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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I asked if Nexus is sufficient to get me back into Canada why they would need a passport. Gate dragon warned I wouldn't fly if she didn't see a passport.
Every time I fly West Jet it makes me appreciate Air Canada more including Rouge.
Aug 12, 2016, 9:49 am
#185
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Surrey, BC
Programs: A few, *G,
Posts: 124
When entering the US at a land border crossing from Canada, for US citizens or for Canadian citizens not required to present a visa, it is.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...vel-initiative
Note the or in each case.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...vel-initiative
Note the or in each case.
These debates are interesting and somewhat fun on the interweb, but not so much when in the limbo region of a port where the guys with guns can leave you sitting on a bench for hrs and hrs. All the USC quotes won't change their mind, if they don't want to hear it.
Aug 12, 2016, 2:13 pm
#186
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
They can also make you wait even if you have a passport, as many travelers can attest.
Aug 12, 2016, 2:16 pm
#187
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,201
Nope. Also, note that Porter doesn't fly to/from a Canadian preclearance airport, so their US-CA itineraries aren't eligible even if their policy permitted flying without a passport (which it doesn't). Arriving passengers at YTZ can use the NEXUS kiosk, though.
Aug 14, 2016, 9:06 am
#188
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 69
As a follow-up, I was able to travel fine with only a Nexus card.
Outbound: YYZ-ORD on UA - no issue. Used Nexus at GE machine in preclearance area.
Inbound SFO-YYZ on AC - no issue.
Of course, I wasn't stopped, and had nothing to declare.
Outbound: YYZ-ORD on UA - no issue. Used Nexus at GE machine in preclearance area.
Inbound SFO-YYZ on AC - no issue.
Of course, I wasn't stopped, and had nothing to declare.
Aug 15, 2016, 10:40 am
#189
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
I crossed at Champlain/Lacolle from I-87 in New York to Quebec yesterday via vehicle. Held NEXUS up at the reader, gate came up, stopped to talk to the officer. Asked me
Then it was "have a nice day". However, if I didn't have the work permit on me, I'm not sure he would have let me into Quebec. If you're visiting as a US Citizen for business, I would definitely make sure your work permit is on you when entering Canada by land. And if you have a visa in your passport book, I'd wager the same applies.
I'm guessing the only purpose of going to the NEXUS office with my work permit is to generally avoid hassle when I select business on the NEXUS kiosk when arriving at Canadian airports...
- License plate # (and state) of the car I was driving in
- Where I was from (town, state)
- Purpose of business to Canada. When I said work, he said "tell me more". I told him my profession, where my employer was located, and where the client I was visiting was located.
- He asked if I had my work permit on me (which I did, stapled/folded up in my US passport book).
- How many days would I be in Canada.
Then it was "have a nice day". However, if I didn't have the work permit on me, I'm not sure he would have let me into Quebec. If you're visiting as a US Citizen for business, I would definitely make sure your work permit is on you when entering Canada by land. And if you have a visa in your passport book, I'd wager the same applies.
I'm guessing the only purpose of going to the NEXUS office with my work permit is to generally avoid hassle when I select business on the NEXUS kiosk when arriving at Canadian airports...
Aug 15, 2016, 11:32 am
#190
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I crossed at Champlain/Lacolle from I-87 in New York to Quebec yesterday via vehicle. Held NEXUS up at the reader, gate came up, stopped to talk to the officer. Asked me
Then it was "have a nice day". However, if I didn't have the work permit on me, I'm not sure he would have let me into Quebec. If you're visiting as a US Citizen for business, I would definitely make sure your work permit is on you when entering Canada by land. And if you have a visa in your passport book, I'd wager the same applies.
I'm guessing the only purpose of going to the NEXUS office with my work permit is to generally avoid hassle when I select business on the NEXUS kiosk when arriving at Canadian airports...
- License plate # (and state) of the car I was driving in
- Where I was from (town, state)
- Purpose of business to Canada. When I said work, he said "tell me more". I told him my profession, where my employer was located, and where the client I was visiting was located.
- He asked if I had my work permit on me (which I did, stapled/folded up in my US passport book).
- How many days would I be in Canada.
Then it was "have a nice day". However, if I didn't have the work permit on me, I'm not sure he would have let me into Quebec. If you're visiting as a US Citizen for business, I would definitely make sure your work permit is on you when entering Canada by land. And if you have a visa in your passport book, I'd wager the same applies.
I'm guessing the only purpose of going to the NEXUS office with my work permit is to generally avoid hassle when I select business on the NEXUS kiosk when arriving at Canadian airports...
Definitely be aware what documentation is required. Even if NEXUS, you should be carrying your supporting documentation.
Aug 15, 2016, 12:28 pm
#191
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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Even read what both agencies say on their own websites.
Yup.
I've never had a problem giving AC my NEXUS when doing only Transborder, in either direction.
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It is absolutely the case with CBSA and CBP that you can have a NEXUS card as your sole proof of citizenship when traveling between the two countries. In fact, the CBSA agent we had on her even complained about how NEXUS cards were harder to scan than passports.
That is incorrect. That was true maybe 7-8 years ago, but the final rules on WHTI and Canada's equivalent clarified that NEXUS is determinative of citizenship.
I'm guessing they were a PR.
Actually, you do require a passport to get NEXUS.
If a PR, then they were required to carry it.
Yeah - AC even gives the option of NEXUS only on their website for APIS information. UA and AA are very hesitant, but I did have an AAgent in Canada allow me to travel with my NEXUS only when I had forgotten my passport in a jacket pocket, after some cajoling. That is where I realized the card works on GE machines.
That isn't accurate, except for YTZ having a NEXUS kiosk. US and Canadian citizens can enter the US or Canada by air using only their NEXUS cards. The US doesn't use NEXUS kiosks anymore, instead relying on GE kiosks for all trusted traveler entries. I, and many others, can confirm that those kiosks accept NEXUS cards instead of a passport.
I've never had a problem giving AC my NEXUS when doing only Transborder, in either direction.
As to the US: The US requires that you have a passport available for inspection if asked when entering the US by air with a NEXUS card. You weren't asked and likely won't be. But, if you are, your kids won't be boarding their flight. At least they will know before departure because you are departing from a pre-clearance station.
On the return, the US requires that you have a passport in order to depart by air. As there are no exit checks from the US, it would only be the carrier's check which can trip you up.
It's all about your risk tolerance. Are you willing to run the risk of having your kids left behind in Canada in order to save the fees?
On the return, the US requires that you have a passport in order to depart by air. As there are no exit checks from the US, it would only be the carrier's check which can trip you up.
It's all about your risk tolerance. Are you willing to run the risk of having your kids left behind in Canada in order to save the fees?
Are you absolutely sure this is the case with CBSA?
Canada used to specify a Nexus card was enough when used at a Nexus kiosk.. Maybe that's changed, I haven't looked in a while. But based on that, when things are working like they should, it shouldn't be an issue. However, say Nexus kiosks aren't working. An agent can ask to see a passport. Or if you get sent to secondary.
A prime recent example, I came into YYZ at about 12:30am a few weeks ago - my UA flight was an hour and a half late. Traveling with wife and infant daughter - we all have Nexus. Because they can't do an iris scan for the baby, we always have to see an agent. Typically, that's in the crew line who are used to seeing Nexus folks. Well, at that hour, apparently wasn't open. So we have to go in the regular line and hand agent our Nexus cards. The first thing he does is ask for our passports. Based on his reaction to what I would call a minimal protest by me - after explaining why we can't use the kiosk, he couldn't care less. I don't know what would have happened if we didn't have our passports on us.
Honestly, even with Nexus, it would never occur to me that it might be an option to not carry a passport - I just will always have one. YMMV, of course, but the moment an agent asks for a passport, the rules won't matter - you've already lost that one. I honestly don't want to ever try and figure out what might happen if I don't have a passport and its requested by border agents.
Canada used to specify a Nexus card was enough when used at a Nexus kiosk.. Maybe that's changed, I haven't looked in a while. But based on that, when things are working like they should, it shouldn't be an issue. However, say Nexus kiosks aren't working. An agent can ask to see a passport. Or if you get sent to secondary.
A prime recent example, I came into YYZ at about 12:30am a few weeks ago - my UA flight was an hour and a half late. Traveling with wife and infant daughter - we all have Nexus. Because they can't do an iris scan for the baby, we always have to see an agent. Typically, that's in the crew line who are used to seeing Nexus folks. Well, at that hour, apparently wasn't open. So we have to go in the regular line and hand agent our Nexus cards. The first thing he does is ask for our passports. Based on his reaction to what I would call a minimal protest by me - after explaining why we can't use the kiosk, he couldn't care less. I don't know what would have happened if we didn't have our passports on us.
Honestly, even with Nexus, it would never occur to me that it might be an option to not carry a passport - I just will always have one. YMMV, of course, but the moment an agent asks for a passport, the rules won't matter - you've already lost that one. I honestly don't want to ever try and figure out what might happen if I don't have a passport and its requested by border agents.
Nexus card for international air travel is only as good as the passport information behind it. If there is any issue with the kiosks or simply you got a new passport and never updated it with Nexus, then CBP/CBSA will swiftly go back to requiring the underlying document: passport booklet. Also, Nexus only creates a presumption of nationality and itself is not considered proof of citizenship. That's one of the reasons why it's a secondary and not primary ID for I-9 and other purposes.
That isn't accurate, except for YTZ having a NEXUS kiosk. US and Canadian citizens can enter the US or Canada by air using only their NEXUS cards. The US doesn't use NEXUS kiosks anymore, instead relying on GE kiosks for all trusted traveler entries. I, and many others, can confirm that those kiosks accept NEXUS cards instead of a passport.
Last edited by TWA884; Aug 15, 2016 at 1:49 pm Reason: Personal exchange
Aug 15, 2016, 4:53 pm
#192
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Location: NYC
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That isn't accurate, except for YTZ having a NEXUS kiosk. US and Canadian citizens can enter the US or Canada by air using only their NEXUS cards. The US doesn't use NEXUS kiosks anymore, instead relying on GE kiosks for all trusted traveler entries. I, and many others, can confirm that those kiosks accept NEXUS cards instead of a passport.
Aug 15, 2016, 6:36 pm
#193
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Aug 15, 2016, 7:58 pm
#194
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Can I use my NEXUS card at the GE kiosk?
The NEXUS card will be recognized by the Global Entry kiosks in Canada Preclearance locations only. When using the Global Entry kiosks in Canada Preclearance locations you can use your passport, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card or NEXUS card.
You cannot use your NEXUS card at Global Entry kiosks outside of Canadian Preclearance locations. At all other ports, you will need to use your passport or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card.
The NEXUS card will be recognized by the Global Entry kiosks in Canada Preclearance locations only. When using the Global Entry kiosks in Canada Preclearance locations you can use your passport, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card or NEXUS card.
You cannot use your NEXUS card at Global Entry kiosks outside of Canadian Preclearance locations. At all other ports, you will need to use your passport or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card.
Aug 15, 2016, 8:03 pm
#195
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Posts: 150
Yes, I worked in Canada and commuted from DFW weekly for about a year using only my NEXUS card both directions with never a problem.