For US pre-clearance, fill out separate customs cards but approach the booth together. No real point in you going to NEXUS and then waiting for her. There is no where to wait at YUL. If anything it may look odd to anyone watching that you to split up and then wait around for her.

Returning to Canada, I would leave her in the normal line and use nexus yourself. You'll have plenty of time to wait for her especially if you have bags. I would always use NEXUS while returning to avoid the in person questions about where I've been and what goods I'm declaring. For me I'd rather deal with an impartial computer deciding if I'm going to secondary then a person.

The answer to this has nothing ot do with NEXUS rules.

I don't think your girlfriend will be very happy with you leaving her to wait in line. Think big picture here.

I'm with this guy... You wanna have fun in NYC or not?? lol

My, how presumptuous. US rules are specific as to definition of family.

I'm not even going to get started about the number of times my same-sex husband and I have been seperated (pre-Nexus) so I won't go there.

However, I will share a funny story about driving across the border with my mother (she was the passenger). As my mom does not have Nexus we used the regular lane.

Let me start by saying we both have the SAME last name.

I pulled up to the booth and handed the guy our passports. He ran them through his computer and then studied them very closely.

He didn't ask any questions but got out of the booth and circled the car, peering in the windows. He then walked towards the drivers door. I was expecting him to ask me to pop the trunk (SOP) but instead he looked in and very curtly asked, "What's your relationship to the passenger?"

I though, this guy is a real piece of work... and answered, "She gave birth to me 41 years ago."

I heard a faint grunt, he handed back the passports and sent us on our way.

As we pulled away, my mother commented, "And just think, he's doing this for our protection!"

Yeah, you're probably right lol... Thanks for the advice everyone.

Same here! So you're not alone. When I went for my NEXUS interview I expressed my discontent with the US Border whatever woman, and explained to her what has happened on several occasion. She told me it was not acceptable, and to request to speak with a supervisor.


Anyway, I forgot to update, but we had our Interviews on Feb 7th, and My husband and I got our cards around Feb 16th.


Do they have NEXUS machines in US airports, like in Chicago, etc? What about in ports? When I get off my cruise in Los Angeles, will there be a NEXUS?
Thanks.

Nope, you'll be herded through the "Visitor" lines and will have to wait for everyone in front of you get fingerprinted.

My NEXUS Members Guide on page 5 states

So It states to only do this if the NEXUS kiosk is closed, so I'm assuming I will not be allowed to do this in an airport that does not have NEXUS machine all together. However, if I can use the crew line at an airport that has a NEXUS machine, then what's the difference if I use a crew line that does not have a machine?

Your guide also says "Proceed to the self-serve kiosk located in the U.S. preclearance area." Nexus is available at "participating airports", and ORD is not one of them.

Most likely a) access to the nexus database, and b) CBP agent training.

There are no Nexus machines at US airports. For travelling by air, the machines are only available at the participating airports in Canada, in both the US preclearence areas, and of course, in the Canadian customs area for when returning home.

There is a different trusted traveller program in the US called Global Entry that may be useful for you if you are clearing customs in US often (i.e. transferring from International to Canada via USA). Not sure if it is quite available in ORD yet, but I know they were starting to roll it out beyond the three initial airports. However, I think you need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to apply, though I could be wrong. Its a lot more expensive then Nexus too. Right now, you have to do it as a completely seperate application, but I did see an indication from the FAQ on the Web site that there may, in the future, be a special streamlined application for people who are alread Nexus members.

its only for entering the US/Canada from each other.

if you go to GOES and apply, you'll be approved within minutes and for no extra charge if you have nexus. I was approved in about 30 mins. You do have to be a US citizen or have your green card number available.

No machines at US airports. Is the cruise that terminates in LA coming from Canada, or somewhere else? If its coming from Canada, you may be able to use the crew lines, as my card does have a boat, plane, and car on it, but its only valid for trips to/from Canada.

I called Seattle office the other day, and was told to bring the new DL even if it's just a change of expiry. They have to see it. They don't ask to make an appointment for it. I can just show up during business hours.

It took 10 business days for me to get conditional approval. Interview in YYZ still takes some time, it's about 17 days out.