No, only US citizens, permanent residents, and Mexican nationals are issued cards.

The problem is that YYZ employs redcoat contractors that don't work for the US CBP or CATSA to do a few things:
1) At T1, one guards the entrance to the Trusted Traveler lane (before the CBSA ID Checker).
2) At T1, generally one guards the entrance AFTER the security checkpoint, but before the GE and automated customs kiosks.
3) At T1, one generally guards the lanes after the US CBP booths and directs people who have no checked baggage/have checked baggage to different lines (line to the left is for people with a checked bag, line to the right is used if they are questioning GE members with clear slips (no O or X) without checked baggage (generally at YYZ T1 GE Members with no checked baggage are allowed through without stopping at a booth to talk to an officer most of the time).

#1 is airline personnel enforcing a CATSA requirement that a GE/NEXUS card is required to access that lane. #2 is a problem because customs allows anyone who is enrolled in GE (directly, via NEXUS, or certain programs from other nations peripherally) to use the kiosks, but the airport staff may or may not deny access without seeing the card.

A complaint should be directed to the airline in T1 the person was flying, the airport itself, and US CBP - the airline and CBP should be included to put pressure on the airport to properly train their staff.

Asked CBP about foreign nationals potentially being given Global Entry cards so that they can use the NEXUS lanes while entering by land from Canada, got a no, but wonder if I were to click the 'Replace Card' option if that would work, if it would even be available once I am (hopefully) approved. I don't mind paying $15 extra for a replacement if that's what it takes in order to get a card for a foreign national. They also said they are actively reminding staff at Canadian airports not to ask for GE cards in order to access the terminals--a printout should suffice.


"We agree wholeheartedly. The only way I can think of is if you were a permanent resident of Canada, which would allow you to apply for NEXUS.


Foreign nationals approved for the Global Entry program, who are not Mexican Nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S., are not eligible to receive cards since they are only used at land border crossings for expedited return by vehicle into the United States from Canada or Mexico. When traveling back into the United States by air, Global Entry members scan their passports at Global Entry kiosks in the Customs area at international airports – a card is not required.

Some Canadian airports may erroneously ask for a card to verify membership. Please print out your approval letter as proof that you are a member. We are actively working with the airport authorities to dissuade this practice."

I got the impression at first that card required only for land crossing? Which I don’t intend. So if I even got a card I don’t recall. Does everyone get one? Now that I see it is useful in other cases, is it possible to get a replacement? Thanks!

(I meant: do all us citizens with Ge get one?)

I have GE through NEXUS. Can I get a GE card?

No, but you should already have a NEXUS card.

My observation at YYZ:

card required only for supposedly faster security lanes. in my case those lanes seemed more backed up.

Card not necessary to use global entry after that point.

FWIW, replacements seem t:eek: have gone up to $25.

Further experience report: replacement card (indeed, $25) came extremely fast -- already here.

My GF and I both have GE, so on a recent trip to Canada, driving back through the Detroit Windsor tunnel, we decided to use the Nexus lanes.

The agent said that I was fine, but my GF had never activated her GE card. She got it 3 years ago and has successfully used GE at airports, but this was our first land crossing. Anyway, that resulted in a visit inside the office to discuss with the agents there. Meanwhile, the car was searched - they didn't open luggage, but did pop the hood and open at least one panel in the trunk. We had nothing of interest, but it's a bit uncomfortable to have a rental car searched, since you never know what a previous renter may have hidden and left behind. Anyway, everyone was polite about it - the first agent was even apologetic - and the whole thing added maybe 15 minutes to the crossing.

TL/DR - don't forget to activate your GE card when you get it.

Interesting experience at JFK this week. Used GE kiosk and declared food, got the big circle on my slip, went to the CBP officer. He asked to see my passport and asked some typical questions, and then asked to see my GE *card*.

Luckily I had it on me, though it was put away so I had to dig a bit for it, but I was a bit thrown. Are you required to travel with the card? What if I'd left it at home on this trip?I

All was well in the end and the CBP guy was friendly enough, I was just surprised to be asked for it when he was already holding my actual passport book.

ETA: Thank you for the move, mods. Somehow missed this thread in my scroll... :)

No. No big deal.

It's just an easier way to confirm enrollment in GE. We (CBP) have other ways of confirming active enrollment in GE, but like that officer, sometimes I just ask for the card instead. When I interview applicants for GE, or when people visit our office complaining that they haven't received the card in the mail yet, I remind them that it is absolutely not used at our airports.

Twice now at two different airport the contract line guard (for lack of a better descriptor) demanded my GE card even though CBP does not require it to access the Global Entry Kiosk, the first time at MIA I was shunted to the regular line and I waited and waited, the second time at IAD, I had the card, showed it to the line guard and he allowed me to pass, but stopped many others who did not have their cards.