Traveling with NEXUS without a Passport
Jan 5, 2018, 7:21 pm
#289
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Canada
Programs: National EE, Enterprise Platinum, Hertz President's Circle, NEXUS
Posts: 106
Show me the proof of this. I don't even have a passport and there is no requirement to use one. A NEXUS is a substitute to a passport. That is the offical response from the CBSA and CBP I have gotten.
Jan 6, 2018, 4:04 pm
#290
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: NEXUS
Posts: 54
Quoting IIIIIIIIIIllllllllll on 1-1-2018: "Too bad that there are so many issues given that timatic is pretty clear on this : "
Regardless of what Timatic says, the CBSA website makes clear that US and Canadian citizens may use NEXUS alone to enter Canada by any means from anywhere in the world. Of course, in many cases, the person attempting to enter Canada will have needed a passport to enter the country they're coming from, but that's a separate issue. Airlines, cruise lines, railroads, and taxi owners may require passports -- or for that matter, paper hats -- for boarding in addition to what CBSA requires.
Last edited by Wise Chaldean; Jan 6, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Jan 11, 2018, 8:51 pm
#291
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
Used NEXUS card at YUL GE kiosk today. CBP didn't asked for passport. Other times, they have asked for passport despite using NEXUS card at kiosk.
As indicated back in post# 203, no data points so far on what actually happens if CBP ask for passport and you don't have it with you.
As indicated back in post# 203, no data points so far on what actually happens if CBP ask for passport and you don't have it with you.
Jan 26, 2018, 2:31 pm
#293
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
NEXUS profile should be kept up to date with your travel document. There would be a risk it would be associated with a cancelled document while you are using NEXUS. Technically would be against the rules.
Jan 26, 2018, 4:14 pm
#295
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
Even if removal is an option, you'll definitely be violating NEXUS rules removing passport unless your citizenship on your NEXUS application was initially substantiated with a non-passport citizenship document (eg birth certificate or naturalization papers).
Disclaimer: Do I know for sure you can/can't use NEXUS in your situation? Not 100% sure.
Jan 26, 2018, 9:13 pm
#296
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: NEXUS
Posts: 54
Make the trip - no fear
You should go ahead and make this trip. The risk of a problem is almost nil. I have never been asked for my passport when using NEXUS on a car trip, and was told by both US and Canadian border officers in Niagara Falls that land border crossings using an unexpired NEXUS card after a passport has expired is fine. I asked if, following the expiration of my passport, I should change my proof of citizenship on the TPP website to my birth certificate, and the officers said that would be pointless because an expired passport is evidence enough of citizenship (unless renounced, which generally automatically cancels your NEXUS membership). In the unlikely event that a border officer asks for your passport, just explain that it is being renewed/replaced. If possible, bring with you your birth certificate as backup proof of citizenship as well as your NEXUS card and DL. But go -- don't worry.
Jan 26, 2018, 9:56 pm
#297
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
You should go ahead and make this trip. The risk of a problem is almost nil. I have never been asked for my passport when using NEXUS on a car trip, and was told by both US and Canadian border officers in Niagara Falls that land border crossings using an unexpired NEXUS card after a passport has expired is fine. I asked if, following the expiration of my passport, I should change my proof of citizenship on the TPP website to my birth certificate, and the officers said that would be pointless because an expired passport is evidence enough of citizenship (unless renounced, which generally automatically cancels your NEXUS membership). In the unlikely event that a border officer asks for your passport, just explain that it is being renewed/replaced. If possible, bring with you your birth certificate as backup proof of citizenship as well as your NEXUS card and DL. But go -- don't worry.
While CBSA has published that it’s officers have flexibility on what documents are acceptable in lieu of passport (eg birth certificate or even verbal declaration), I’m not sure if the same can be said for CBP.
I understand you asked one or a couple of CBP/CBSA officers but did you ask as a Canadian citizen, US citizen, or other national?
CBP/CBSA applies different requirements depending on whether you are US or Canadian or third party. Published US regulation requires passport for non-US citizens unless an alternative document under 22 CFR 41.2 is presented. Acceptable document under this section is a valid NEXUS card or an EDL. A Canadian birth certificate/naturalization certificate is not on this list unless the traveler is a child.
Regs and guidance from respective countries are clear that US birth certificate is accepted by CBP and up to CBSA officer discretion but the same may not be true for a Canadian birth certificate as CBP regs accepts it only if traveler is under 16.
The question is whether a NEXUS card with a citizenship document based on a cancelled/lost passport is considered a valid NEXUS card. An expired US passport is still considered proof of US citizenship. Does CBP apply the same interpretation to an expired Canadian passport? Because there is no general public guidance to fall back on, YMMV.
The following could happen.
- Admitted to US
- Not admitted but allowed to withdraw application for admission. Not sure what happens to NEXUS
- Declared inadmissible (probably good bye NEXUS)
Last edited by seawolf; Jan 26, 2018 at 10:30 pm
Jan 27, 2018, 12:58 am
#298
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
I'm not sure about that. Rules say to keep documents up to date. Old passport, while not in holder's possession, could still be considered valid until it is returned cancelled. Until then, there's no document to update. I don't see this as being against the rules and I'm sure it comes up all the time. I've never heard of someone losing NEXUS over a pending passport renewal.
Jan 27, 2018, 6:48 am
#299
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
I'm not sure about that. Rules say to keep documents up to date. Old passport, while not in holder's possession, could still be considered valid until it is returned cancelled. Until then, there's no document to update. I don't see this as being against the rules and I'm sure it comes up all the time. I've never heard of someone losing NEXUS over a pending passport renewal.
Jan 27, 2018, 10:39 am
#300
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
Officials must run into NEXUS members with pending passport renewals all the time. There are no reports of this ever being an issue. Nothing to worry about.