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 16, 2008, 8:40 pm
#421
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
What's the point of the new secure cards? I say a waste of money.
The whole thing is secured with bio-metrics anyway - who cares about a holograph.
The whole thing is secured with bio-metrics anyway - who cares about a holograph.
Jul 17, 2008, 3:49 pm
#424
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,699
Regarding the TSA and their secret squirrel ID checking... I asked at LAX T2 (Air Canada outbound) if she could take a Nexus card for the ID check (knowing that most of the time the TSA agents are clueless)... She first hesitated, then I said "it's government issued ID", she barely looked at it and let me through.
What is everyone's luck in using the Nexus card as an ID in US airports? In Canadian airports, always seems to work.
What is everyone's luck in using the Nexus card as an ID in US airports? In Canadian airports, always seems to work.
Jul 17, 2008, 5:14 pm
#425
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 241
Regarding the TSA and their secret squirrel ID checking... I asked at LAX T2 (Air Canada outbound) if she could take a Nexus card for the ID check (knowing that most of the time the TSA agents are clueless)... She first hesitated, then I said "it's government issued ID", she barely looked at it and let me through.
What is everyone's luck in using the Nexus card as an ID in US airports? In Canadian airports, always seems to work.
What is everyone's luck in using the Nexus card as an ID in US airports? In Canadian airports, always seems to work.
Jul 17, 2008, 6:21 pm
#426
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YVR (most of the time)
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 117
Crossed back into Canada at the Peace Arch today and the crossing guard gave everybody a leaflet stating the same thing.
I thought I saw something along this line somewhere (YVR office last Saturday).
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/co...nnees-eng.html
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/co...nnees-eng.html
Jul 17, 2008, 6:54 pm
#427
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
Regarding the TSA and their secret squirrel ID checking... I asked at LAX T2 (Air Canada outbound) if she could take a Nexus card for the ID check (knowing that most of the time the TSA agents are clueless)... She first hesitated, then I said "it's government issued ID", she barely looked at it and let me through.
What is everyone's luck in using the Nexus card as an ID in US airports? In Canadian airports, always seems to work.
What is everyone's luck in using the Nexus card as an ID in US airports? In Canadian airports, always seems to work.
Jul 18, 2008, 6:21 am
#428
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MSP
Programs: SPG Gold;NWA gold;Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,458
Jul 19, 2008, 2:20 am
#429
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,699
Jul 19, 2008, 10:22 am
#430
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
I was thinking the same thing
Seriously though, I'm sure I've posted something similar here before, but I have not had much luck getting the TSA to recognize the NEXUS card. While it may be "officially" acceptable, thing is, it really depends on who is manning the door. I've had it accpeted just once - most, that I've dealt with anyway, have just refused it - a couple have offered to get the book to see if it is acceptable, but its faster just to use a DL at that point. Though I've always wanted to have them look through and see their reaction when they find it. I understand in some places where there are a lot of carriers, but when I'm going through security at Term. A at Newark, where I have been rejected, but there are only 3 other airlines using that security check besides AC (UA and Airtran, and used to be a few CO gates), I expect that at least they should know there.
CBP does NOT accept Nexus, as far as I know - according to the Nexus guide, the card is only valid at stations that have Nexus kiosk's - e.g., the Canadian airports. Which is actually one reason I haven't flown Porter to EWR, I don't believe you can use Nexus at either end. Global Entry, the US trusted traveler program that started in testing at JFK, IAD and IAH (just google Global Entry for info), is supposed to eventually going to have some coordination with Nexus (I'm thinking maybe an easier application process or maybe one application for both programs in the future, no need for an additional background check, and possibly (hopefully) a lower application fee). However, I believe at this time Global Entry is only open to US Citizens.
But back on topic, I have also never had a problem getting AC to take my Nexus card as ID in the US, but United definitely does not (for travel to Canada, anyway) as they require a passport for travel outside of the US. I suspect that most US-based airlines are the same. I wish this wasn't the case, but I'm guessing they just want to be extra sure that a person has the proper ID to be accepted into the country which they are traveling to.
Seriously though, I'm sure I've posted something similar here before, but I have not had much luck getting the TSA to recognize the NEXUS card. While it may be "officially" acceptable, thing is, it really depends on who is manning the door. I've had it accpeted just once - most, that I've dealt with anyway, have just refused it - a couple have offered to get the book to see if it is acceptable, but its faster just to use a DL at that point. Though I've always wanted to have them look through and see their reaction when they find it. I understand in some places where there are a lot of carriers, but when I'm going through security at Term. A at Newark, where I have been rejected, but there are only 3 other airlines using that security check besides AC (UA and Airtran, and used to be a few CO gates), I expect that at least they should know there.
CBP does NOT accept Nexus, as far as I know - according to the Nexus guide, the card is only valid at stations that have Nexus kiosk's - e.g., the Canadian airports. Which is actually one reason I haven't flown Porter to EWR, I don't believe you can use Nexus at either end. Global Entry, the US trusted traveler program that started in testing at JFK, IAD and IAH (just google Global Entry for info), is supposed to eventually going to have some coordination with Nexus (I'm thinking maybe an easier application process or maybe one application for both programs in the future, no need for an additional background check, and possibly (hopefully) a lower application fee). However, I believe at this time Global Entry is only open to US Citizens.
But back on topic, I have also never had a problem getting AC to take my Nexus card as ID in the US, but United definitely does not (for travel to Canada, anyway) as they require a passport for travel outside of the US. I suspect that most US-based airlines are the same. I wish this wasn't the case, but I'm guessing they just want to be extra sure that a person has the proper ID to be accepted into the country which they are traveling to.
Jul 19, 2008, 11:15 am
#431
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,699
I'm a US resident (not a US Citizen) and got accepted into Global entry...
Jul 19, 2008, 1:57 pm
#432
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 8,289
I would like to apply, but not sure if they consider Visa holders, or is it just Cdn citizens who hold green cards.
Jul 19, 2008, 8:27 pm
#433
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
My mistake, Global Entry is open to US perminant residents as well. However, doesn't appear Visa holders are eligible. From the Global Entry FAQ site:
"Q: Who may apply for Global Entry?
A: Individuals who are: A) 14 years of age and older and B) U. S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents."
Nexus members have no special application process as of now - you have to apply using the normal process on GOES, though it looks like there could be some sort of coordination in the future. Again, more info from the FAQ
"Q: I am a member of NEXUS, Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST). Does that help me get into Global Entry?
A: CBP is exploring ways to integrate members of its NEXUS, and SENTRI programs on an optional basis."
"Q: Who may apply for Global Entry?
A: Individuals who are: A) 14 years of age and older and B) U. S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents."
Nexus members have no special application process as of now - you have to apply using the normal process on GOES, though it looks like there could be some sort of coordination in the future. Again, more info from the FAQ
"Q: I am a member of NEXUS, Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST). Does that help me get into Global Entry?
A: CBP is exploring ways to integrate members of its NEXUS, and SENTRI programs on an optional basis."
Jul 20, 2008, 10:17 pm
#434
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,699
Standard Interview for Global Entry. If you did your NEXUS application on GOES, when you apply for Global Entry 95% of the fields are automatically filled out from the NEXUS application! So it took 5 minutes to apply - was just error checking the values.
Jul 21, 2008, 9:05 am
#435
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MSP
Programs: SPG Gold;NWA gold;Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,458