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
Oct 12, 2014, 10:23 am
#8807
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: YYZ/TPA/MCO
Posts: 101
They asked for my letter when I went for my interview (YYZ)
Oct 12, 2014, 10:47 am
#8808
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
That's a good rule. Bring also your birth certificate. My letter said nothing about needing it but the CBP agent who approved me insisted I produce it before I was approved. I had mine with me buy my wife and kids didn't; I had to go home for theirs and come back (same day, no second appointment needed).
I would think that the BC would only be required, as a means of verifying (natural birth) citizenship, if a passport wasn't available. Does your family all hold passports and were they available at the interview?
(The only other thing I can think of was BC needed for the kids as a means of verifying they are the biological children of both you and your wife and there isn't a potential third-party that is a custodial parent.)
Oct 12, 2014, 2:49 pm
#8809
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
All that it says that I'm required to bring is my birth certificate unless I'm a permanent resident. I suppose as a citizen bc suffices?
Oct 12, 2014, 3:57 pm
#8810
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SEA, or BOS, or MUC, or other places (probably connecting). "Detroit, Michigan is in the Eastern time zone."
Programs: DL PM/1MM, AS 100K, NEXUS/GE, CLEAR, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,202
What did you enter in GOES for your documents? In my case, they wanted to see just my passport, which was listed for both my citizenship and admissibility documents.
Oct 12, 2014, 5:22 pm
#8811
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
My advice is to bring the letter, passport(s), and all documents you listed on your application. You may not be asked for them, but in case you are, you have 'em.
Oct 12, 2014, 5:38 pm
#8812
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
I only listed my bc on my application. My old passport had expired and I don't have a dl.
Oct 12, 2014, 8:07 pm
#8813
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
They asked for my letter as the first thing to start the whole interview.
They also asked my daughter (<18) for signatures from both parents permitting her to have the NEXUS. Fortunately we were both with her. However, it would have been a cranky drive home from Fort Erie if otherwise. There was no reference in the letter indicating this requirement.
I took more documents than I needed to my interview: birth certificate, passport, US Social Security card, Canadian SIN card, bank statement mortgage statement, OHIP card, Driver's Licence. I mean, they weigh just a few grams. Why not be prepared?
They also asked my daughter (<18) for signatures from both parents permitting her to have the NEXUS. Fortunately we were both with her. However, it would have been a cranky drive home from Fort Erie if otherwise. There was no reference in the letter indicating this requirement.
I took more documents than I needed to my interview: birth certificate, passport, US Social Security card, Canadian SIN card, bank statement mortgage statement, OHIP card, Driver's Licence. I mean, they weigh just a few grams. Why not be prepared?
Oct 13, 2014, 8:51 am
#8814
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: YYZ/TPA/MCO
Posts: 101
This should be on everyones conditional approval notice (at least if you signed up using GOES online). Maybe the paper document words it differently or does not have the below.
You must bring the following original documents to the enrollment center:
- This letter inviting you to an interview;
- Proof of citizenship document(s) as identified on your application (e.g. birth certificate, citizenship certificate or passport). If you have a passport or if a passport is required for future travel, please bring the document to the interview so that the information can be added to your file;
- Proof of permanent resident status document(s) in Canada or the United States as identified on your application (e.g. valid Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing);
- If you are a permanent resident in either Canada or the United States, proof of current place of residence document(s) as identified on your application (e.g. a valid driver's license, another provincial identification card or another federal identification card with current address);
- If applicable, any Canadian or U.S. issued immigration permits for work or study;
- Any child identity and custody documents for minor children. In the case of joint custody there must be no restriction to removing the children from the custodial jurisdiction. If the minor is accompanied by only one parent, whether in a custody situation or not, a letter must be provided by the other parent to acknowledge the enrollment of the child in the NEXUS program.
Oct 13, 2014, 12:04 pm
#8815
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
We're a family of 4 who applied online on Aug 14. We live in Medicine Hat, so YYC is our best location. We could go to Sweet Grass, but they have very limited hours and no iris scan. We were really hoping to have our Nexus cards before our flights at Christmas, but from what I'm reading that may not be possible. We're still pending review, but I was wondering if there's any tips for trying to get those 4 appointments booked so that we could have our cards before Christmas? I'm hoping to get approval any day now, so I'm trying to be ready to book!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Oct 13, 2014, 3:53 pm
#8816
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: NEXUS/GE
Posts: 521
We're a family of 4 who applied online on Aug 14. We live in Medicine Hat, so YYC is our best location. We could go to Sweet Grass, but they have very limited hours and no iris scan. We were really hoping to have our Nexus cards before our flights at Christmas, but from what I'm reading that may not be possible. We're still pending review, but I was wondering if there's any tips for trying to get those 4 appointments booked so that we could have our cards before Christmas? I'm hoping to get approval any day now, so I'm trying to be ready to book!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Oct 13, 2014, 3:56 pm
#8817
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
They also insisted on seeing my wife's certificate of Canadian citizenship; Canadian passport was not enough. I'm glad I live a 20 minute commuter train ride away from the nearest enrollment centre.
Oct 14, 2014, 7:43 am
#8820
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Question: I just moved to the U.S. (from Canada) and got a new TN, am I able to update my nexus with the new TN Status number or do I have to go to the airport in-person?