UK --> Canada, there are Nexus machines at all major airports and you can use them.

UK --> USA, there are GE machines as many major airports and you can use them if you have been OKed for GE. The vast majority of Nexus members were retroactively granted GE privileges; however, as it is based on your fingerprints, some early Nexus members who did not get a full set of prints taken need to have them taken before they can be enrolled in GE. GOES should show if you are approved for GE.

Errrr Okay

When I applied I remember there be a Global Entry checkbox and a Nexus Checkbox. I only checked Nexus.

Correct, but once approved for Nexus you will be granted GE as well. There will be a note on your GOES profile that says you can also use GE; however, GOES will NOT show you as a member of GE.

Originally Nexus and GE were entirely separate and Canadian's couldn't get GE, so the boxes were there because the system is used to apply for all US TT programs. About a year ago, they decided to allow Nexus holders to also use GE kiosks. The end result is, that if you apply for Nexus, you will also get GE privileges if you are approved. But if you apply for GE, you do NOT get Nexus privileges if you are approved.

And to be clear: Yes. We are all aware of just how ridiculous this entire setup is.

Fair enough. At YEG, the kiosks are right next to the booth with the officer who takes the ticket, and the first time this happened to me he actually watched me use the machine. But, if he was processing someone at the time he could miss seeing who used the machine. And I guess a consistent process of asking for the card whether the see you are not at least makes you prepared. Now I always have card out.

Don't assume you have GE if you have NEXUS - check on the GOES site. I didn't because when I enrolled on NEXUS it was before the GE deal was done. If you do need GE in the US, you can get it there after you have cleared immigration and customs the regular way as the GE office is outside the customs area. Check on the GOES site to find out where the offices are. I did my GE at IAH and others did it at EWR. I can also confirm that I could use my NEXUS card to get to the head of the security line for internal Canada flights at YYZ and YOW. As was posted above, CATSA wants to see the card, not your iris.

Entering Canada - NEXUS

Entering US - GE

Check your GOES account. It will show if you have GE or not. If you don't have GE, it is because you got NEXUS before they started with the GE standard of 10 live scan prints per applicant (basically, all fingers). You simply go into a NEXUS or GE office and get this corrected and you should be able to use GE right away.

If you're enrolled in NEXUS you're automatically enrolled in GE - I believe what you're alluding to here is that they didn't have your fingerprints on file.

You do not have to apply for/go through the enrolment process for GE, you just need to stop by a GE office and have your fingerprints done.

Updating Nexus Information
 

I kind of doubt that I will get a reply to this, since (a) this is going to be buried on about page 200 of the thread and (b) probably not many people have the info. But here goes.

Mrs. RedTop has a Nexus card and goes through YYZ. As of tomorrow she will be a legal permanent resident of the USA - she will actually go through passport control and show her immigrant visa.

I know that she has to update her Nexus card, but when, and how big a deal is it? I'm fairly sure the Nexus office is before passport control. Does she have to go to passport control to get her paperwork done, then back to the Nexus office right away? Should she go to the Nexus office first? Is it a big deal if she waits a trip or two?

When she returns from this trip, the Nexus office will be closed. On the trip after that, she'll be under time pressure when she gets to the airport. The trip after that, she'll have time.

I'm trying to call the Nexus office at YYZ, but can't reach anyone and so far they haven't called back.

Will her Nexus card turn into a pumpkin as soon as she shows her immigrant visa? Or will she be OK for a month? (Or should she just use the regular passport line until she has time to change it?)

What paperwork are you referring to? If you are approved as a US permanent resident, you need to book a separate appointment with INS to have your documents verified, passport stamped, etc. Your green card follows in the mail in 2-4 weeks. This is not typically done as you cross at an airport (or land border) but rather at an INS office.

If you already have the stamp but not the card you probably cannot use Nexus as you will typically be sent for secondary screening. This is done to verify your information on file. Once you have the card you should be able to update your profile and continue as before.

Regardless don't cross without using the correct status. If you are a permanent resident you must declare this when you cross. Failure to do so could result in a fine. This may mean that you stand in line with everyone else for a while.

Hmm, my wife and I got the sticker during our Nexus interviews in Blaine, WA - no problem. The only hassle was going to YVR airport for the iris scans.

Was able to use GE for the first time, and the machine broke! Off an SQ A388 at LAX, get to the machines, and the printer jams—giving me my receipt but not the bit I have to hand in. Took a few minutes, but I was let in the country the old fashioned way with the help of a very helpful and apologetic CBP officer.

Brian

(PS it was the first machine as you walk in, just in case anyone else tries)

Has anyone gone through the renewal process for NEXUS? My current card expires in June so curious what to expect. (Also be interested to see how UA will pay my GE fee as a 1K (a new benefit for 2012).

Good point. I don't know if the system is clever enough to stop you from using the kiosk twice in a row. Take your card, then run through the process a second time, leaving the card in the machine for your accomplice. Joe inadmissible bounces around in front of the kiosk for a few seconds then proceeds through the check point.

AC*SE and UA 1K, you qualified both for 2012, nice! ^

We went as a family of four to the Seattle Urban Enrollment Center at the Boeing Field air terminal. The building was deserted - literally no one else there on this Thanksgiving morning, except for three CBP officers and one Canadian official.

The kids were interviewed first, one at a time, separately from us. It took about 2 or 3 minutes each, as they only asked biographical questions and took photos. They are under 14 and aren't eligible for GE, so their fingerprints weren't taken.

Our CBP interviews were only slightly longer, less than 5 minutes each. We verified our biographical information, and they asked us if we had ever been arrested, convicted of a crime, refused entry to any country, or had any problem at any border station. They did a fingerprint scan and took a photo. The officers looked at our passports during the interview. They did not want our auto registration information, and they did not ask for any other documents. The CPB officers were friendly.

We were told that the Nexus cards will arrive in approximately two weeks. GE does not require a card; the passport is linked to the GE information. I asked what we do when we renew our passports, and I was told that I should go to the GOES website and update the information when we get new passports. (There was no mention of the stickers that have been discussed in this thread.)

After a wait of a few minutes, we had our Canadian interview in the next room.

The Canadian officer only wanted to speak to the adults (both at the same time), but he offered to have the children sit in the room with us. He was quite pleasant, but his demeanor was more formal/official than that of the CBP officers.

He asked us why we wanted Nexus. When I said that I visit Canada for work, he spent about 5 minutes discussing the need to get a work permit if I plan to receive any payment from a Canadian organization.

He went over the rules of entry and the entry procedures at border stations, marinas, and airports, and was strict in his repeated warnings that we had to follow specific rules. He made it clear that if we break the rules/laws, we will lose our Nexus privileges, which are only for "trusted travelers." He said that we had already undergone background checks, and we were considered to be "trusted travelers" and we should not do anything to lose our privileges.

He gave us information pamphlets on Nexus, GE, and the Blaine sector. This last one included specific information on obtaining an iris scan at the YVR office. Scans are available without an appointment, but only between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.

It was a painless experience and the entire process lasted exactly 45 minutes for all 4 of us.

UPDATE: As of Feb 2012, all members of Nexus are eligible for GE. I took my kids back to the Nexus center for fingerprints so they could become GE members.