Traveling with NEXUS without a Passport
Feb 25, 2023, 9:21 am
#391
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 285
Since using a NEXUS card to enter the US by air requires flying from a preclearance airport in Canada (see below) and YTZ is not a preclearance airport, it is effectively required when flying Porter to the US; I suspect they'd rather not get into arguments with people who flew into Canada without their passport and are trying to return to the US, so they make it an airline policy.
CBP's webpage on the NEXUS card says "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. "
CBP's webpage on the NEXUS card says "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. "
In any case, I usually have my passport, but it is a PITA to get at because it's in a neck wallet. I have taken to always bringing it since I lost my wallet once and realized it would be a problem had I lost it (with NEXUS card in it) in Canada.
Last edited by zephyr17; Feb 25, 2023 at 9:26 am
Feb 25, 2023, 9:29 am
#392
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,641
Data points:
DL YYZ-SLC -
Check-in agent refused NEXUS initially, asked two colleagues who said it's ok, skeptically accepted it. Got asked for a passport at the the gate, told them don't have it and that was it.
AC EWR-YYZ -
Big stink, AC ended up calling CBSA support line who told them to take it. Gate - unknown yet.
DL YYZ-SLC -
Check-in agent refused NEXUS initially, asked two colleagues who said it's ok, skeptically accepted it. Got asked for a passport at the the gate, told them don't have it and that was it.
AC EWR-YYZ -
Big stink, AC ended up calling CBSA support line who told them to take it. Gate - unknown yet.
Feb 25, 2023, 9:31 am
#393
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,641
That doesn't mean the NEXUS can't be used. Officially, it can be entering the US from a non-preclearance airport. It just means you can't use GE because those kiosks aren't set up to take it. You just have to go through the regular line.
In any case, I usually have my passport, but it is a PITA to get at because it's in a neck wallet. I have taken to always bringing it since I lost my wallet once and realized it would be a problem had I lost it (with NEXUS card in it) in Canada.
In any case, I usually have my passport, but it is a PITA to get at because it's in a neck wallet. I have taken to always bringing it since I lost my wallet once and realized it would be a problem had I lost it (with NEXUS card in it) in Canada.
Passport exemption entering US by air only applies when using a kiosk. As there is no CBP kiosk at Billy Bishop, you need a passport.
Feb 25, 2023, 9:53 am
#394
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,220
Agent (backed up by 3 others) was insisting that if I was a Canadian citizen, it's cool. US citizen - need passport.
Feb 25, 2023, 11:12 am
#396
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,641
Apr 5, 2023, 5:48 pm
#399
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 754
US/Canada Border Crossing Without Passport?
Does Nexus allow a US citizen to cross the US/Canada border without a passport? My passport is held up at the US Passport renewal office. I’m interested in both air crossings and land crossings.
Apr 5, 2023, 11:44 pm
#400
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,641
Yes as far as CBP and CBSA is concern but there is a chance airline may not let you board without a passport especially if not flying Air Canada/Porter. Even if flying either of these airlines you may encounter an airline agent who may insist on a passport.
Last edited by seawolf; Apr 10, 2023 at 8:14 am
Apr 9, 2023, 6:56 pm
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
One thing to be careful of though is that the Nexus land crossings aren't 24/7 like the regular lanes so make sure you are doing the crossing when the Nexus lane is open.
Apr 9, 2023, 7:59 pm
#402
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Michigan, ex SF Bay Area
Posts: 833
It's good to be aware of when the NEXUS lane is open for expedited crossing, but if it's closed you can still use your NEXUS card in a regular lane. You'll just have to wait in line like everyone else.
Apr 10, 2023, 8:25 am
#403
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,641
By air, passport exemption applies when using CBP Nexus kiosk (which implies only available at preclearance airports and during preclearance operating hours). So if you are flying Porter to/from YTZ, in theory a NEXUS card by itself card will get you into Canada as far as authorities (CBSA) is concern but not in the other direction (need passport US bound) due to no CBP preclearance at YTZ. There are plans in the works for CBP to offer YTZ preclearance.
Apr 10, 2023, 11:42 am
#404
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 285
Not sure about getting into Canada or air crossings, but I travel to canada by land a lot and have GE and not nexus, so only can clear on the US side, but have never been asked for my passport crossing into the US at the Detroit/Windsor US crossing. I just put my GE card on the reader before I get to the officer and he already has my pic pulled up on his screen and they ask me a question or two and I'm on my way.
One thing to be careful of though is that the Nexus land crossings aren't 24/7 like the regular lanes so make sure you are doing the crossing when the Nexus lane is open.
One thing to be careful of though is that the Nexus land crossings aren't 24/7 like the regular lanes so make sure you are doing the crossing when the Nexus lane is open.
Sep 25, 2023, 3:28 pm
#405
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
Trying to confirm whether this is ok: My son (9 years old) and I both have Nexus cards (both Canadian citizens). I just submitted his passport for renewal (the old one hasn't expired yet altough on application, they cancelled the old one) and it won't come till 10 days from today. I wanted to travel to Niagara Falls, NY this weekend and cross the land border with him (we're driving from Toronto). Can I still use our Nexus cards on the Whirlpool bridge there and back without issue?