Correct on the forms. I use GE so no form. My daughter (dual citizen without US passport) not allowed to use the GE machines had to use NEXUS and they made her do the form.

BTW @ORD looks like you are home safe and sound?

Yes. It was quite smooth - 5 minutes all in from Nexus entrance to arrival at Maple Leaf lounge. I suppose I was lucky this time. Won't push it of course.
Thanks for all the tips and cautions.

Cheers
@ORD

At YYZ pre-clearance, that's pretty much what happens these days, but I use GE. In the days where Nexus was the only option, I feel like I got asked for my Nexus card when they were stamping BPs maybe ~30% of the time. For a while before that, they sometimes didn't even stamp it.

If using GE, they can't really ask for the card. US-based members don't get one. The GE card is meant for land border crossing, and didn't even exist for the first year or two of the program. So some GE members don't even have one.

Wanted to add my experience with a lost card replacement to the thread….

Lost card in mid-December, applied for a replacement on GOES which was approved approximately 5 weeks later. The approval said to schedule an interview which, from reading this thread, I knew wasn't necessary. Called the local NEXUS office (at YEG) and was told by the agent that I DID have to come in for an interview (then booking 3 months out). Called the 1-800 number on the NEXUS site and the lady there sounded very frustrated that the NEXUS office had given me the wrong advice. Seems like this wasn't the first time she'd dealt with their misinformation. She confirmed that for a replacement card there is no interview required and all that's needed is a document check at the office, which does not require an appointment.

Went to the NEXUS office today. The less-than-friendly agent tried to insist that I needed to have scheduled an interview, so I told her I'd spoken to the Western Canada call centre who confirmed I didn't. The agent did not seem pleased (shaking her head and fuming the entire time she entered my info), but she didn't fight me on the point for too long.

Anyway, lesson for others, don't be afraid to push back a bit (while being perfectly respectful, of course) with the NEXUS agents since it seems they don't seem to necessarily know the rules of the program they're administering.

If you are waiting "patiently" in Vancouver for an Nexus interview I have some very good news...Until February 20/14 you can take your interview downtown Vancouver at Canada Place. There appears to be ""lots of spots" every day, from now until the 20th...Don't know why and don"t care, I was approved Friday 24 Jan. have appointment Tuesday 28th..
On your GOES page look up location under Canada Place, enjoy ....

Looking at other threads, GE takes 1 - 2 weeks for conditional approval. Assuming CBPs process for background checks are the same for GE and NEXUS, is it then safe to assume that backlogs in NEXUS applications lie with CBSA?

THANK YOU for this! A colleague is going to be VERY happy about this

Every day is open until Feb 20, wow

Got my conditional approval 6 weeks after applying. I had to provide the same paperwork I gave to CBP regarding a prior arrest, but interestingly CBSA called me on Thursday (prior to conditional approval) asking for the documentation. CBP didn't ask at all until the GE interview. It appears CBSA does a more thorough job in the background check prior to conditional approval.

I happen to be in Toronto this week and I lucked out - one interview in Niagara Falls tomorrow at 5:45. Next slot in March.

Bummed that I have to cross back/forth over the international border to do so but better than nothing, since I don't live anywhere near an enrollment center and don't get enough advance warning on work travel to coordinate an interview.

The rainbow bridge is not a difficult cross at that time of the day, and they'll likely let you return via the Nexus bridge with a special one time pass. So it won't be overly onerous.

YUP. It seems that the Canadian side is more tough in doing the background check than the US one, unlike what many people think and believe the opposite.

So, I'm a stay home dad, Canadian citizen, US permanent resident > 3yrs. Haven't worked in just under 5 yrs. Applied for nexus for entire family of 4 inclusive of 2 kiddos (both under 5) both US citizens by birth and a missus (not a US/Canadian citizen) but also US permanent resident > 3yrs. She works.

My question is will my lack of employment history jeopardize my nexus eligibility? I don't recall there being an option on GOES for "homemaker" or anything similar. Or will the background check bring up this information, like from your IRS tax filings or something?

No problem. You simply put the start date when you became stay at home dad and job description as something like home maker, full time parent, etc.
Just like the kids have been in the occupation of "child" since they were born it's not much different.

They would be concerned if you had no visible means of support, and could not explain how you are paying the bills every month. Then you would not be a very trustworthy person as you would be easily influenced in exchange for money or possibly already involved in illegal off the books activity if you could not adequately explain how you support your lifestyle without a job of your own.

Oops. Well I didn't do that. Had just put unemployed since 2009/XX. I see an appeal in the future. We'll see.

Unemployed is fine too. That's not a problem.

Claiming to be employed when you are not is a problem (lying is always an instant fail)