Mar 3, 2013, 10:24 pm
Last edit by: TWA884
Current NEXUS Information messages can be found in the following thread:
The NEXUS Information Thread
The NEXUS Information Thread
Welcome to the Travel Safety/Security Trusted Travelers Forum Nexus Information Wiki! This resource will appear at the top of every page within this thread to help users learn more about this program.
About NEXUS
NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States.
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossing for members while enhancing security.
Program benefits
If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a membership identification card to use when entering Canada or the United States at all designated NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.
Membership will enable airline passengers to save time by:
- using automated self-serve kiosks in dedicated areas at designated international airports;
- using NEXUS/SENTRI lanes at land crossings when/where available. NEXUS lanes entering Canada will likely have a constant red traffic signal. This is to discourage non-NEXUS members from using the lane. Canada-bound NEXUS land crossing operating hours. All occupants must have NEXUS cards when using NEXUS lane entering Canada. At some locations, the NEXUS lane, the inspection booth is not staffed but there should be a call button. When entering US in a NEXUS/SENTRI lane, all occupants must carry either NEXUS, Global Entry, or SENTRI cards (or any combination thereof). Notable exception is Whirlpool Bridge which requires a NEXUS card to open the toll gate on the Canadian side to cross to the US..
- As of 17 MAY 2017 - NEXUS members no longer need to complete a paper CBSA Declaration Card (Form E311) when using a NEXUS self-serve kiosk at any Canadian airport where NEXUS is available. (Refer to post #10421)
- using the Trusted Traveller Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) Security Line at major and select medium-sized Canadian airports to expedite airport pre boarding security screening. For detailed information, please visit the CATSA Web site.
Join NEXUS
Here are the steps for becoming a member. There is a non-refundable processing fee of CAN$50 or US$50 per applicant for a five-year membership card.
About NEXUS
Eligibility
How to apply
Enrolment process
Key points about the program as found by forum members:
- NEXUS cardholders must advise of ANY changes to their vital information such as passport numbers/validity, visa status, legal names, primary residence, criminal convictions, and employment if it impacts your eligibility in the program.
- It's normal to find the first in-person NEXUS interview to be months into the future, but a little patience and regular checks on the TTP website almost always yields an interview date much sooner.
- Each person who wants to participate in the NEXUS program must fill out a separate application form. There is no fee for applicants under the age of 18.
- If traveling with non-NEXUS family members NEXUS cardholders are required to use the regular customs lines.
- There is a zero tolerance policy and membership can be terminated for infractions including not having your NEXUS card on you and using the NEXUS lane and not declaring items on your customs declaration card, though members have reported some leniency being granted for such infractions in the past.
- Private companies may offer services for submitting your application and charge an additional processing fee but these extra charges are not part of the official NEXUS application fee. Expedited services offered by such companies will not assist in speeding up the application process.
Updating Passport with Canada for NEXUS
As per CBSA website, updates to passport information can be handled on TTP.
Please note that NEXUS members are not required to report to an Enrolment Centre to update or change their passport information with the CBSA.
Some FT members don't trust instructions provided by CBSA and recommend the following:
Call the Canadian Processing Centre with responsibility for residents of the United States:
After going through the phone tree to reach a Nexus representative, advise them that you need to update your US passport with Canada.
The representative will give you an email address and instructions to scan your updated passport picture page (include your trusted traveler number on the scan) and then email it to a particular email address. I was advised to put the representative's name in the email message so that he could process the update on the Canadian side. He confirmed that any passport update in TTP does not reach Canada. NOTE: FT members have been able to enter Canada without any issues by updating passport online only.
He specifically requested that only the telephone number be posted (and not the email address).
In case the telephone number doesn't work, here's the webpage where the phone number is posted: Canada Border Services Agency - NEXUS - General Information
- 800-842-7647 --- Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Eastern Time)
After going through the phone tree to reach a Nexus representative, advise them that you need to update your US passport with Canada.
The representative will give you an email address and instructions to scan your updated passport picture page (include your trusted traveler number on the scan) and then email it to a particular email address. I was advised to put the representative's name in the email message so that he could process the update on the Canadian side. He confirmed that any passport update in TTP does not reach Canada. NOTE: FT members have been able to enter Canada without any issues by updating passport online only.
He specifically requested that only the telephone number be posted (and not the email address).
In case the telephone number doesn't work, here's the webpage where the phone number is posted: Canada Border Services Agency - NEXUS - General Information
US citizens/residents who have both Global Entry and NEXUS cards and who renew the Global Entry membership whilst their NEXUS card is active, will not be able to renew the NEXUS card until after it expires. The option to do so disappears from the TTP website.
Dear mxzblftspk,
Your NEXUS membership is not set to expire until July 11 2016.
As an approved NEXUS member, you added Global Entry for an additional $100. When you completed your Global Entry application, you received a Global Entry card. When you activated the Global Entry Card, your NEXUS Card was deactivated and the option to renew NEXUS was removed from your account.
If you wish to renew NEXUS, you will have to wait for your NEXUS membership to expire. Once it expires, you will have the option within your TTP online account to renew NEXUS. After you follow all of the steps to become a NEXUS member again, including the completion of an interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center near the Canadian border, you will receive a new NEXUS card and will have Global Entry benefits at no additional cost.
When your Global Entry account expires 5 years after your application, do not renew it. Global Entry benefits are included with your NEXUS membership.
It is our goal to provide you the best information we have in response to your question. If you follow the information provided in our response, and still need assistance, please reply to this email and we will investigate how we may further assist you.
Thank you again for contacting the CBP INFO Center.
Sincerely,
CBP INFO Center
Your NEXUS membership is not set to expire until July 11 2016.
As an approved NEXUS member, you added Global Entry for an additional $100. When you completed your Global Entry application, you received a Global Entry card. When you activated the Global Entry Card, your NEXUS Card was deactivated and the option to renew NEXUS was removed from your account.
If you wish to renew NEXUS, you will have to wait for your NEXUS membership to expire. Once it expires, you will have the option within your TTP online account to renew NEXUS. After you follow all of the steps to become a NEXUS member again, including the completion of an interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center near the Canadian border, you will receive a new NEXUS card and will have Global Entry benefits at no additional cost.
When your Global Entry account expires 5 years after your application, do not renew it. Global Entry benefits are included with your NEXUS membership.
It is our goal to provide you the best information we have in response to your question. If you follow the information provided in our response, and still need assistance, please reply to this email and we will investigate how we may further assist you.
Thank you again for contacting the CBP INFO Center.
Sincerely,
CBP INFO Center
Archived: The NEXUS Information Thread
Jul 21, 2010, 11:43 pm
#1741
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: Earned: AC SE, AA PLT - Comped: DL PLT, Avis PC, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 781
Officed moved at YYZ
Not sure when it happened..sometime between last week and today..but the nexus office at YYZ is now located adjacent to the us pre-clearance area.
Jul 22, 2010, 8:40 am
#1742
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
No, you are not totally allowed to bring in food. Certain items are permitted. Many are not. Your best bet is to always answer truthfully. And an excuse of I was going to eat before the plane left Canada/ on the flight etc. won't get you very far if they decide to make an example out of you.
Jul 22, 2010, 8:55 am
#1743
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
Has anyone had the experience of being in the U.S. pre-clearance area, volunteering your seat and being re-booked the following day (meaning you would have to re-enter Canada)?
Will there be a flag on the card from the NEXUS machine? Also, what would you put on the flight information on your declaration card?
Will there be a flag on the card from the NEXUS machine? Also, what would you put on the flight information on your declaration card?
Jul 22, 2010, 8:59 am
#1744
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
Just a friendly FYI...I brought food that I had bought outside of security at Terminal 3 (Swiss Chalet) and then went through the customs line. I didn't mark "YES" to bring in food and I was sent to the agriculture office, given a stern talking to about how I violated my nexus agreement by not making the correct declaration.
I was told I am totally allowed to bring in food, just make sure to mark YES on the card and answer the question correctly, but not doing it was a violation.
I was told I am totally allowed to bring in food, just make sure to mark YES on the card and answer the question correctly, but not doing it was a violation.
Jul 22, 2010, 10:46 am
#1745
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Just a friendly FYI...I brought food that I had bought outside of security at Terminal 3 (Swiss Chalet) and then went through the customs line. I didn't mark "YES" to bring in food and I was sent to the agriculture office, given a stern talking to about how I violated my nexus agreement by not making the correct declaration.
I was told I am totally allowed to bring in food, just make sure to mark YES on the card and answer the question correctly, but not doing it was a violation.
I was told I am totally allowed to bring in food, just make sure to mark YES on the card and answer the question correctly, but not doing it was a violation.
Jul 22, 2010, 11:03 am
#1746
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Jul 23, 2010, 12:29 pm
#1747
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,507
Does YYC U.S. preclearance still have a different Nexus process from other airports? From YEG Guy's post, it sounds like there is (or was) an extra step for Nexus members in clearing U.S. CBP in Calgary, at least compared to the YYZ process??
Also, I recently saw some massive banner over U.S. check-in at YYC saying something about "no access to U.S. customs clearance more than 2 hours before your flight". That still the case? Does that apply to Nexus users too?
Is using NEXUS to clear US CBP in Calgary still a different process than at other Cdn airports? (i.e. you still have to stop to talk to an officer at a counter after the kiosk??)
Jul 24, 2010, 7:57 am
#1748
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
Yes, it's that setup still. I think once in about 10 transits did I ever have a full-blown chat with someone.
That setup is the same there as it is in Halifax, Winnipeg and Edmonton, where the kiosk person also collects the cards, that's the primary reason for the difference.
Normally if that happens Air Canada (or whatever airline you're on) will call down to CBSA and arrange to have one of their officers come get you from the gate and escort you back through customs. Same procedure if a flight is cancelled close to departure; CBSA comes and gets everyone and walks them out so you don't have to go through the lines or anything.
Jul 24, 2010, 9:51 am
#1749
Join Date: Apr 2002
Programs: UAL MM, BA G
Posts: 1,757
You have to speak with an agent in YUL too, but they are generally more friendly, and I rarely see anyone go to secondary after using Nexus.
Jul 24, 2010, 1:59 pm
#1750
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,537
If you don't actually go to Seattle or to one of the Canadian airports with US preclearance very often (all of those Canadian airports have NEXUS interview facilities), just book a flight through one of them the next time it's convenient, and give yourself a long connection. You can book your appointment for that time.
Last edited by GoAmtrak; Jul 24, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Jul 25, 2010, 12:34 am
#1751
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,849
Jul 25, 2010, 1:55 am
#1752
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & 2MM/Bonvoy Gold/HHonors Diamond
Posts: 4,586
It has been that way for a new months now
They moved at the beginning of the year, I believe
They moved at the beginning of the year, I believe
Jul 25, 2010, 11:50 am
#1753
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
The above was from a post from about a year ago.
Does YYC U.S. preclearance still have this different Nexus process? (Never flown to the U.S. via YYC, but will for the first time next week.)
From YEG Guy's post, it sounds like there is (or was) an extra step for Nexus members in clearing U.S. CBP in Calgary, at least compared to the YYZ process??
Also, I recently saw some massive banner over U.S. check-in at YYC saying something about "no access to U.S. customs clearance more than 2 hours before your flight". That still the case? Does that apply to Nexus users too?
Does YYC U.S. preclearance still have this different Nexus process? (Never flown to the U.S. via YYC, but will for the first time next week.)
From YEG Guy's post, it sounds like there is (or was) an extra step for Nexus members in clearing U.S. CBP in Calgary, at least compared to the YYZ process??
Also, I recently saw some massive banner over U.S. check-in at YYC saying something about "no access to U.S. customs clearance more than 2 hours before your flight". That still the case? Does that apply to Nexus users too?
As others have posted, the preclearance at YYC with Nexus is still the same format as previous.
WRT the 2 hour rule, I sent a comment letter to YYC Airport Authority regarding the 2 hour time limit (subsequent to the 2 hour limit implementation, it was incrreased to 3 hours during the Christmas air scare, and then 2.5 hours during the Spring, but is back to 2 hours for the summer).
Here is a quote from an email I got from YYC Airport Operations:
Thank you for your email inquiring about the new two hour limit when processing through US Customs. The justification behind the decision was to reduce congestion during peak times and to ensure passengers departing within those times were cleared prior to later departures. The Airlines were also taking delays and US Customs were starting to deny flights to be pre cleared as they were unable to keep up to the demand.
Passenger wait times were also much greater so the two hour solution seemed to solve most of these problems. You will be glad to hear that Nexus passengers do not have to stay within the 2 hour limit and passengers applying for a work visa will still be allowed into the area four hours prior to departure time.
Passenger wait times were also much greater so the two hour solution seemed to solve most of these problems. You will be glad to hear that Nexus passengers do not have to stay within the 2 hour limit and passengers applying for a work visa will still be allowed into the area four hours prior to departure time.
1. Air Canada initiated HNL and OGG service with 763. Departure times for AC services were at the same time as WS service to LAX, PHX, PSP, and one other USA destination.
2. In response to the new services, AC moved USA checkin to six podiums that were previously only used for international (LHR, FRA) and charter checkin. AC's previous six slots were allocated to WS, UA, and CO. WS also built another counter with two podiums at their end.
3. Bag services built a new sort and hold facility where gate 29 was located, this increased capacity for transborder throughput.
4. Peak time has transferred from early morning (6:30am -8am) to late morning (10am to 11:30 am with another departure bank at 12:30pm to 2pm). The late morning peak time is because of the new WS services with 737s and AC HNL/OGG service.
Overall, USCBP was not willing to increase staff to handle the winter season demand. I have heard from CBP agents they operate a 2 year rotation. With the new WS winter only services plus AC winter service to Hawaii, the winter season is now significantly busier for USCBP than summer.
Jul 25, 2010, 5:59 pm
#1754
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 7
Loved the NEXUS lane at the Ambassador Bridge today, just opened at 11 today when I was coming back from Indy.
Had to be more than a 100 cars in the regular meanwhile I go off to the left, drop my TDC in the box, guard says "Thank you!" and off I went!
Had to be more than a 100 cars in the regular meanwhile I go off to the left, drop my TDC in the box, guard says "Thank you!" and off I went!
Jul 25, 2010, 6:48 pm
#1755
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 43
unemployment and NEXUS
Does anyone here know if partial or full unemployment (of a Canadian citizen) is likely to result in rejection of a NEXUS application? Does a rejected application have negative impact on later travel to the US?