I'm not sure of the reason, but this has happened to me regularly this year through YEG, YYC and YYZ when returning to Canada. Just this past Friday, I returned through YYC and all three Nexus machines were down. There was a CBSA officer there trying to restart them but he said he'd had no luck even though he'd restarted each machine twice. There were 12 of us with Nexus in the crew lane to be processed. Still was a bit faster than the regular line.

Pre-clearing to go to the US, I've never had both Nexus and GE down at the same time (YEG, YYC, YVR, YYZ). I always use GE if available and have noticed it seems to be more stable (read: not malfunctioning) than Nexus is/was for Preclearance.

All three Michigan enrollment offices are showing interview appointment slots available on Friday the 23rd, but it looks like the Detroit office has different hours than posted online (perhaps because they recently moved to a different building?). Might be a good idea to call the Vancouver office to be sure.

Probably the company which's doing maintenance for these machines are based in the USA.

Nexus/GE for a baby?
 

Hi,
My wife and I are thinking about enrolling our infant son (3 months old) into Nexus given that we will travel across the border quite often with him starting soon. We're both existing Nexus members.

I looked up eligibility rules for both Nexus and Global Entry. No mention of an age restriction. They only say that children need parents' approval before applying.

My question is regarding how this works in practice for an infant child. If we were to enroll him in Nexus, I understand this would work fine at the land border, where we would just hold up all 3 of our cards to the reader. But what about at airports?
1. Using Nexus to enter the US or Canada, would we just go to a crew line, since obviously small children cannot do retina scans?
2. Using Global Entry to enter the US, would we just go to a crew line too? Or could we enter in the child's information into the GE kiosks ourselves?

Thanks.

Basically, Nexus with a child means you get to use the crew lanes.

Make sure you say yes to food, even for baby formula!

+1.

You'll have a couple of options when going thru customs.

You and your wife use kiosks then take your infant to the crew line (Nexus or GE, CBSA or CBP)

or all of you simply go to the Crew Lane.

I notice when we use the crew lane, they never look at our GE/Nexus cards, just yeah yeah passports please attitude from the officers.

Just an update on processing,

a friend of mine and my sister both got preapproved within 2 weeks.

Wow way to slash the 6 week processing times!

Getting appointments in YEG is another story!

"Not sure if it's been posted yet but the quick renewal process has finally started. Submitted my renewal application on GOES on October 11 and approved on October 29 with no interview required. I think this is for people who have not had any info change since the last issue/renewal. "

Well on my GOES renewal page it said I had to arrange an interview. In fact, they sent me an email after 1 week, saying if I didn't arrange is quickly, the application would be cancelled and I would have to pay again.

I arranged my interview (first slot in Calgary is May 2013!) but when I went to the NEXUS office in Calgary today, they said you can walk in ANYTIME (not just their walkin hours of 4-5 PM) and do the "interview". The only reason I went to the office was to report a stolen card which is impossible to do online once you have started the renewal proces (despite the agents and the GOES website and NEXUS website all saying it can be done online!).

Anyway, if both US and Canadian personnel are available, looks like it is a go. I didn't even have all my documents with me (only my passport since driver's licence had also been stolen). Fingerprints didn't work so he said he would get the supervisor to authorize with no new fingerprints and I would get my new card in 2-6 weeks.

The Canadian agent said they have nothing to do with the GOES website so you can blame all the misinformation about need to schedule interviews and how to report lost/stolen cards on the Americans:D

Anyway the bottom line is no interview appointment required for renewal--just do a walk in.

I did try that on Friday last week. YVR office, at least, used to be good at picking up the phone, but both YVR and downtown Vancouver, at least (not sure about other offices) only have recorded information available and even says automated line when you call. Don't know how to get a hold of an actual agent.

Hmm. I have my interview appointment in Detroit on Wednesday evening. I'll try to remember to ask the agent there if they know, if you haven't gotten an answer by then.

Thanks. Would appreciate it.

What are the current wait-times for processing apps - I thought 10 days was reasonable, but so far the SO's app is still in pending status. I need to set their expectation correctly - should they expect a decision shortly?

Just got a copy of NEXUS NEWS
 

Is this new? Nice that they send it out. Confirms what many of us know:

Streamlined Renewal Process
For the majority of renewing members who have not had changes to their information and have maintained their low-risk status, the renewal interview may be waived

Lack of biometric passports in this case. At least they are *finally* coming next year.

Pre-Check now works for Canadian Nexus holders! Yay!

This is the email from today:

NEXUS NEWS

Welcome to the official Newsletter that provides members with up-to-date information and enhancements to the program.

What’s New?

New Lanes and NEXUS Kiosks

New NEXUS lanes are open at Douglas, British Columbia/Blaine, Washington; and Sarnia, Ontario / Port Huron, Michigan

NEXUS crossing available at new locations at Huntingdon, British Columbia / Sumas, Washington; and Queenston, Ontario / Lewiston, New York

NEXUS lane hours of operation are available through www.nexus.gc.ca

New kiosk at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for entry into Canada

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check expanded to Canadian NEXUS members
Effective November 15, 2012, Canadian NEXUS members now enjoy TSA Pre-Check at 27 airports for domestic travel within the United States. For a list of participating airports see: http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/fil...11-13-2012.pdf.

Residency Requirement
Spread the word! Effective June 30, 2012, Canadian and American citizens living outside of Canada or the United States or who have recently returned to either country are now eligible to apply for membership in the program.

Streamlined Renewal Process
For the majority of renewing members who have not had changes to their information and have maintained their low-risk status, the renewal interview may be waived.

Traveller Benefits
NEXUS dedicated lines for Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) security screening at major airports offering NEXUS services have been expanded to all flights departing to the U.S.

Traveller Declaration Card (TDC)
Reporting goods is now made even easier: the TDC is now online in a saveable PDF fillable format and allows you to complete the majority of the fields only once. For more information please visit: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-vo...tions-eng.html.

Reminder: Your Membership Obligations

Keep your personal information on your NEXUS profile current. For address and passport information updates, NEXUS members can access the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). If you did not apply to NEXUS using GOES, you can create an account by visiting www.nexus.gc.ca. For all other changes to your personal information and status, or to add a new passport to your profile, please visit a NEXUS Enrolment Centre.

Report all goods you plan to bring into Canada or the U.S. Please note that all food, plants and related products must be declared at the border. For details visit: www.beaware.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml.

Also report amounts equal to or greater than CAN$10,000, or its equivalent in a foreign currency, that you are bringing into or taking out of Canada . For details see: http://cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5052-eng.html.

No non-NEXUS members in the NEXUS lane. If travelling with a non-NEXUS member, please use the regular lanes.

Failure to comply with program obligations may result in card revocation.

Did You Know?

If you have not done so, visit a NEXUS Enrolment Center today to have your irises scanned! This will allow you to use NEXUS self-serve kiosks for expedited entry into Canada or the U.S. at Canada ’s eight major international airports.

To further expand the use of your NEXUS membership, you are encouraged to have your fingerprints taken at a NEXUS Enrolment Centre. This will allow you to use U.S. Global Entry (GE) kiosks when flying to the United States from anywhere in the world. For more information on Global Entry please visit: www.globalentry.gov.

Third party service providers that offer application processing services may charge an additional processing fee which is not part of the official NEXUS application fee ($50 CAD or USD). Expedited services offered by such parties will not expedite your application process. We strongly encourage you to apply electronically through GOES or by paper available through the official NEXUS Web site: www.nexus.gc.ca.

As of June 1, 2012, personal exemptions for residents of Canada have been increased. Please visit http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...-eng.html#s2x8.