Originally Posted by B-Plus (Post 14608376)

So I'm wondering that since I've been through several times without any mention of my false declaration, maybe they didn't bother enter into the system or I still somehow have some hope of being approved?

Originally Posted by unavaca (Post 14607935)

Blarg. How long does the conditional approval last for? I might be back in YYZ or SEA in a few months, but none of it is planned yet.

Originally Posted by unavaca (Post 14607935)

Thanks Shirley.

Originally Posted by B-Plus (Post 14608376)

I'm planning to call the CBSA this week to try to get a general feel for this issue before applying, but I just wanted to see if the braintrust here knows if this would warrant an automatic denial.

In February of this year, I had mistakenly made a false declaration, as I had some kind of simulated pork-flavoured snack from Japan (it was a gift, I wasn't planning to eat it, and I forgot to throw it away - oops) in my luggage. Well, I was searched and they found this item and after a lengthy delay of supposedly having the packaging translated, I was written up on Form BSF156. The Refusal Reason was Prohibited Under Regulations and the Action Taken was Seized and Destroyed.

I have since re-entered Canada on numerous occasions without any further hassles. According to the "I Declare" guide,

A record of infractions is kept in the CBSA computer system. If you have an infraction record, you may have to undergo a more detailed examination on future trips. You may also become ineligible for the NEXUS and CANPASS programs.

So I'm wondering that since I've been through several times without any mention of my false declaration, maybe they didn't bother enter into the system or I still somehow have some hope of being approved?

Thank you

Originally Posted by LessO2 (Post 14610380)

I think the conditional approval lasts for 30 days. Meaning you need to schedule an appointment within 30 days. If you schedule somewhere like Toronto or Vancouver, the actual appointment might be much longer (read up in this thread and see what others' experiences have been).

However, the beauty of the GOES system is that you can go back in and check to see where there have been cancellations, as they happen all the time.

You can obviously get everything taken care of in Toronto, but I don't know if you can get the iris scan thing done in Seattle.

Originally Posted by unavaca (Post 14610530)

So I could theoretically schedule an appointment at Toronto for 6 months out, as long as I do it within the first 6 months? Also, what's the turnaround time for conditional approval? A few days? 2 weeks?

Does anyone have access to GOES and can see how long the wait time is for an appointment at YUL?

Originally Posted by LessO2 (Post 14610920)

No, you need to schedule the appointment within 30 days.

The wait for the next available appointment might be (more like is likely) more than 30 days out.

Originally Posted by unavaca (Post 14610927)

Ah okay. And if I need to cancel the appointment and reschedule, does the rescheduled appointment have to be made within the first 30 days, or can it be made anytime up to the point of my original appointment?

Originally Posted by B-Plus (Post 14611998)

yycvoyageur and LessO2 - Thanks for your thoughts. I just didn't want to waste $50 if this was an obvious denial. I'll call Nexus tomorrow to discuss this issue. So should I disclose this "oopsie" on my application? On one hand, I think full disclosure would be better, especially if they have this information on file, but on the other hand, if they don't have a record of this, I wouldn't want to raise any flags.

Originally Posted by LessO2

I mentioned my indiscretion on my application, never heard about it in the approval or interview processes.

Remember, this is a trusted traveler program. If they don't trust you being honest on your application, they should reject you.

Just be honest. I am not guaranteeing anything, but honesty is the best policy here.

Originally Posted by InTheAirGuy (Post 14660631)

Last night at T1 arriving about 8pm, the upstairs escalator hallway was jam packed with about 500 people; holding people back from going downstairs because the customs hall was so busy...

But someone asked about Nexus, and the GTAA lady said, "sure, Nexus folks can come on through."

Originally Posted by LH/LX (Post 14656089)

Some where in the LX forum someone mentioned that he heard that Canadians are also becoming eligiable for GOES card :confused: Is that true or confirmed by anyone ?