I believe the expiry schedule is the same for both (5 years after your next birthday). In which case you might as well apply as soon as possible, since the new Nexus membership will expire exactly 5 years after your GE expires.

FYI...another datapoint on passport updates - renewed my US passport in February, and updated on GOES but hadn't been back into Canada since. Updated with the Nexus office in YYZ. Asked if it was still mandatory to do so, as website said only GOES update is needed, and she insisted yes, it does need to be done at the office in person as well (as was my impression, anyway), and that they tell everyone this during their interview. So beware - she did mention again (since I've heard it before0 that GOES updates the US system, but not the Canadians.

Unless you were informed to update in person during the course of the inspection process (either by the NEXUS kiosk or the inspecting officer collecting the NEXUS receipt) or otherwise received a letter to do so, all public and current documentation from CBSA (eg CBSA website) clearly states an update due to a passport renewal is not required in person.

Did any of the above happen during your entry into Canada AFTER the expiry of your prior passport? If not, why did you even stop at the NEXUS office to begin with? In my opinion, this entire encounter only serves to perpetuate a misconception.

CBSA can do just one of the following to end this confusion:

1. Update CBSA website stating updates must be made in person
2. Update kiosk to print warning message if it detects passport on file has expired
3. Update interface to handle subsequent updates from GEOS

First item is easy to implement. All evidence still indicate update in person is not required (and optional at best). I would even go as far to say there is strong reason to believe that passport information (on file) is not utilized at all during the NEXUS entry process.

I agree with you, there is a lot of conflicting information. However, I was emphatically told by CBSA during my interview that passport updates have to be made in person. This does contradict the officially available information, and it could well be a case of CBSA agents not receiving proper training. But until CBSA takes one of the actions you suggested, I'll play it safe and update in person.

I renewed my passport and updated my passport information on the GOES website. Since then, I have been able to use Global entry a few times with no issues. I was planning on taking my passport to the NEXUS office the next time I went to Canada just to be on the safe side. When I landed in YYZ and tried to use the NEXUS machines, the machines would not recognize me as a NEXUS member (when it took the iris scan it would not recognize me). I had to use the regular line for entry to Canada (which wasn't an issue because there was no line). At the NEXUS office, they said it was because my passport had expired. I told them I had updated it online and was planning on visiting the office the first time after entering Canada with my new passport, which would have been on this visit. She said it was no problem, and she updated the passport info and said the card should work now. I asked about the US officers, but she said that updating on the GOES website will update the US side, but that I still have to go into the office to update the Canadian side.

This makes sense from a process perspective. Notify you that a NEXUS update in person is required by having NEXUS kiosk reject you when passport on file is expired.

As mentioned several times before, unless you are otherwise notified by the NEXUS kiosk or the inspecting officer that passport on file has expired, the vast majority of NEXUS members would not even know to update passport in person and they would not be subject to NEXUS revocation.

Stupid question time regarding food.

So we all know that the GE prompt has changed its wording to be all inclusive when it comes to food and edible products. Fortunately for entry into Canada, CBSAs declaration is a little more forgiving, in that it asks
Still a long list, but not quite as bad as generic food. That being said, I had a discussion with my partner recently when returning home from Florida. We had brought back some cookies, chocolate, and key lime juice. Normally with the baked goods and chocolate I wouldn't declare as they are not specifically listed. But the key lime juice, at least in my mind, was close enough to the original fruit product that I didn't want to risk it. She laughed at me and again laughed when I was sent to secondary.
While in secondary, the CBSA agent rolled his eyes and told me to leave after I told him I had key lime juice.

So the question is, does fruit include juice for the purposes of declaration?

647 pages of comments... eeek...
Simple question... Are all Nexus cards mailed? or are they printed if you go to a canadian center? Reason I am asking is that I am a GE ( I know.... Wrong order) and am on long term assignment in Asia. I will be home for ten days (already approved ..scheduled an appt @ YUL). then leaving again..

Mailed

Out of curiosity, are others getting an 'interview' when renewing?

I did my renewal yesterday at Fort Erie. They took my Passport, Driver's License, and NEXUS card at the FAST office, I signed a sheet that listed various rules of the program, they confirmed my address and employer, and then finally took a new photo and fingerprints. Was directed to the NEXUS office where I handed in my 3 documents at the window and they came back a few minutes later and said I would get my new card in the mail. I was at the office for 20 minutes.

Also, does anyone know if it is a problem to update address and employer at the interview? We scheduled my boyfriend's interview for July, because it looks like he will be changing employers soon and the plan is for him to go apartment hunting the start of July, so by the time he has the interview, he will know his new address and he will then move soon after the interview to start the new job. It would be nice if he can do the interview and update everything all at the same time.

Yes. "Travellers are required, by law, to declare all plant, animal, and food items they bring into Canada. This includes items related to plants, animals and food, or their by-products."


But who knows. This is CBSA's website. Anyone who follows this thread knows very well that CBSA's published guidelines may be very different from what front line agents will tell you in person.

My experience with bringing prohibited fruit into the NEXUS land lane is that as long as you declare it, you won't get into any trouble. The last time I declared I had fresh apples, the agent cleared me through, but then asked me to pull over ahead and either eat them then and there or dispose of them in the bins before proceeding further into Canada.

Ultimately I think the ideal solution would be if the CBSA agent collecting the nexus forms and cards could ask what you're declaring and then waving you through or directing you to secondary, rather than being automatically pushed there if you answer yes.

Hi everyone,

I've used my NEXUS perks like 20 times so far though exclusively when traveling by air. Tomorrow is my very first time overland (Van to Sea), can anyone explain detail how the crossing is made properly (how to scan the card, is verbal declaration enough on re-entry to Canada...)

Thank you

When crossing the border, there will be signs directing you to the proper booth. Sometimes NEXUS has dedicated lanes through what to travel. You'll wait behind a line 20-50 ft behind the booth (there's a stop sign). Once the car clears, hold your card(s) out with the window rolled down. Stop at the booth. Sometimes they'll ask if you're bringing anything in, sometimes they'll ask you a bunch of questions, sometimes they'll tell you to proceed. It just depends. If you have something to declare verbally, then do so as soon as you have a chance. They will always look at their computer screen to ensure the picture matches. They seldom ask for the cards though but I always hold it out just in case. The entire process usually takes between 5 and 30 seconds.

I cross often and in fact, crossed today. As above, you hold your card(s) up in front of the board (all passengers in the car must have Nexus for you to use the lane). The screen beside the board will advise how many cards were 'read'. Proceed to the booth (I always roll down my back windows so they can see clearly no one is in the back seat), answer their questions, make any verbal declaration at that time and you'll be on your way quickly.

I go down often to buy dog food/groceries and regularly come back to Canada with hundreds of dollars of both. Neither are dutiable so I verbally declare what I have and they wave me through. No paper declaration form is necessary. Today, I drove back after being in the US for a month. Verbally declared the value of everything including booze, waved through in less than 10 seconds. She did ask for our Nexus cards and said they don't always scan correctly, and hadn't this time even though the board had said 2 cards were scanned.