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-   -   The NEXUS Information Thread (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers/1985925-nexus-information-thread.html)

1KChinito Aug 26, 2023 11:32 pm


Originally Posted by Rare (Post 35531386)
Ah, but did you read the question carefully, and are you sure the answer to that question is no? You are, of course, correct that only NEXUS members are allowed to use the NEXUS lane going into Canada. But zmb is asking whether, as an approved NEXUS member but before they receive the NEXUS card, they can use their existing Trusted Traveler card going into Canada. The idea is that if the card contains only an index into the Trusted Traveler database (possibly the PASSID number, which doesn't change), and the database record seen by the officer is what matters, then the officer should be able to see that they are, in fact, a NEXUS member. I don't know the answer--would be surprised if anyone here does, actually--but the question is more nuanced than it appears at first glance.

NEXUS card has to be activated. Otherwise Global Entry is in effect.

Xyzzy Aug 27, 2023 3:56 pm


Originally Posted by 1KChinito (Post 35531568)
NEXUS card has to be activated. Otherwise Global Entry is in effect.

GE members can use the NEXUS lane/line when traveling fr:cool:m Canada to the US.

xobile Aug 28, 2023 7:39 am


Originally Posted by Xyzzy (Post 35533252)
GE members can use the NEXUS lane/line when traveling fr:cool:m Canada to the US.

yes but the question was about entering Canada with a GE card

Rare Aug 28, 2023 10:33 am


Originally Posted by 1KChinito (Post 35531568)
NEXUS card has to be activated. Otherwise Global Entry is in effect.

That's plausible. Are you guessing or do you have a source for this?

1KChinito Aug 28, 2023 3:59 pm


Originally Posted by Rare (Post 35535462)
That's plausible. Are you guessing or do you have a source for this?

I did not attempt to do this when I first received my NEXUS card. I know for fact that you can only have Global Entry or NEXUS, but not both. Once you active your NEXUS card, your Global Entry card will be deactivated or vice versa.

Xyzzy Aug 30, 2023 2:13 pm

When I changed from GE to NEXUS I was told that my KTN would stay the same and that I could use it. But I was told that by a US CBP official and I'm pretty sure it was in the context of entering the US. To use the NEXUS machines in Canada one has to scan a NEXUS card and the chip # (or whatever identifies the card) is not going to be the same as the same person's GE card so I doubt it will w:(rk.

zmb Aug 30, 2023 3:30 pm


Originally Posted by Xyzzy (Post 35541805)
When I changed from GE to NEXUS I was told that my KTN would stay the same and that I could use it. But I was told that by a US CBP official and I'm pretty sure it was in the context of entering the US. To use the NEXUS machines in Canada one has to scan a NEXUS card and the chip # (or whatever identifies the card) is not going to be the same as the same person's GE card so I doubt it will w:(rk.

Global Entry at US airports always requires your linked passport, the machines don't accept TTP cards; but this increasingly doesn't matter with the facial recognition being done now.

Specifically, I hope to be able to use my new NEXUS benefits to enter Canada at a land border with my GE TTP card, both since I'm going to Canada less than a week after my interview appointment and I won't be home anyways to receive the card. Hopefully the CBSA officer at the Enrollment Center will know if this is possible.

emcampbe Aug 30, 2023 3:35 pm


Originally Posted by zmb (Post 35541984)
Global Entry at US airports always requires your linked passport, the machines don't accept TTP cards; but this increasingly doesn't matter with the facial recognition being done now.

Specifically, I hope to be able to use my new NEXUS benefits to enter Canada at a land border with my GE TTP card, both since I'm going to Canada less than a week after my interview appointment and I won't be home anyways to receive the card. Hopefully the CBSA officer at the Enrollment Center will know if this is possible.

I don't know the 'official rule' either way, but I would be hesitant to try it. Technically, to use Nexus, you require your NEXUS card. Even if officially approved, without the card in hand is a risk I wouldn't be willing to take. Would be pretty bad to go through the entire process, only to be approved, then have it taken away before you actually use it.

seawolf Aug 30, 2023 5:44 pm


Originally Posted by emcampbe (Post 35541997)
I don't know the 'official rule' either way, but I would be hesitant to try it. Technically, to use Nexus, you require your NEXUS card. Even if officially approved, without the card in hand is a risk I wouldn't be willing to take. Would be pretty bad to go through the entire process, only to be approved, then have it taken away before you actually use it.

I agree.

zmb could pull up to NEXUS lane northbound with GE card and nothing pulls up on CBSA display. CBSA asks to see the card and see it is GE and sends OP to secondary. Secondary could decide to give a pass or revoke NEXUS.

What I can tell you for sure is that a GE card (tie to a GE profile) does NOT activate the toll gate to get on Whirlpool Bridge heading to US despite CBP NEXUS lanes accepting GE card.

WheelsUpImFlying Sep 6, 2023 7:25 pm

Hey all,
I am a long time nexus member but haven't flown from YYZ to the USA for quite a while. Last time I went through USA customs at YYZ they were using the IRIS scanners. My question is what should I expect and how do I use the nexus line to clear US customs at YYZ these days? Are there kiosks where I scan my Nexus card? I heard they use facial recognition now, how and where do I have my photo taken? Lastly are there Nexus lines to clear customs with an actual agent should these kiosks not work?
Thanks in advance

seawolf Sep 6, 2023 7:36 pm


Originally Posted by WheelsUpImFlying (Post 35559607)
Hey all,
I am a long time nexus member but haven't flown from YYZ to the USA for quite a while. Last time I went through USA customs at YYZ they were using the IRIS scanners. My question is what should I expect and how do I use the nexus line to clear US customs at YYZ these days? Are there kiosks where I scan my Nexus card? I heard they use facial recognition now, how and where do I have my photo taken? Lastly are there Nexus lines to clear customs with an actual agent should these kiosks not work?
Thanks in advance

CBP (US customs) never used iris scanners. US NEXUS kiosk takes your photo and does its facial recognition. Some kiosk requires you hitting a "take photo" button on touchscreen while others just automatically take when you are near it.
CBSA kiosk requires NEXUS card for activiation.

emcampbe Sep 6, 2023 7:38 pm


Originally Posted by WheelsUpImFlying (Post 35559607)
Hey all,
I am a long time nexus member but haven't flown from YYZ to the USA for quite a while. Last time I went through USA customs at YYZ they were using the IRIS scanners. My question is what should I expect and how do I use the nexus line to clear US customs at YYZ these days? Are there kiosks where I scan my Nexus card? I heard they use facial recognition now, how and where do I have my photo taken? Lastly are there Nexus lines to clear customs with an actual agent should these kiosks not work?
Thanks in advance

Inbound to the US, there were NEVER iris scans. They used fingerprints in the past. Now, it's facial recognition. The iris scans were always only for coming into Canada.

And if we're being technical, you don't use the 'Nexus' line to go to the US, it's the Global Entry (GE) line. No card or passport necessary. It is indeed facial recognition....they take your picture and match you, you then go see the officer in the designated lane to finish the process. If it doesn't recognize you (the kiosk has had some trouble with my kids), last time the GE officer sent us to the Mobile Passport line to clear the child the kiosk didn't recognize, and needed her passport there.

WheelsUpImFlying Sep 6, 2023 7:40 pm


Originally Posted by seawolf (Post 35559624)
CBP (US customs) never used iris scanners. US NEXUS kiosk takes your photo and does its facial recognition. So kiosk requires you hitting a "take photo" button on touchscreen while others just automatically take when you are near it.
CBSA kiosk requires NEXUS card for activiation.

Everytime i used head to the US via YYZ, I stuck my face in some retinal scanner/camera and it popped out a card to show to the agent.

xero9 Sep 6, 2023 7:41 pm


Originally Posted by 1KChinito (Post 35531568)
NEXUS card has to be activated. Otherwise Global Entry is in effect.

FWIW, and this might not apply in this case but I went across the Whirlpool bridge with an unactivated NEXUS card and was not an issue. Would highly recommend NOT doing it, but the guy was pretty cool about it and simply asked me to activate it before going back into Canada.

seawolf Sep 6, 2023 9:00 pm


Originally Posted by WheelsUpImFlying (Post 35559633)
Everytime i used head to the US via YYZ, I stuck my face in some retinal scanner/camera and it popped out a card to show to the agent.

US never used iris scanner; it used fingerprints. Only CBSA used matched against iris.


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