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 14, 2016, 3:27 pm
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
Thanks! helpful to know. I think weekend availability might be the reason we'll need to go to YVR.
You need to make an appointment for each and every one of your family member.
1611 Main Street is open Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I was interviewed at this location on a weekend; special slots.
YVR is open seven days a week: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Select your location by:
1. Availability; website and yours
2. Proximity to you
1611 Main Street is open Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I was interviewed at this location on a weekend; special slots.
YVR is open seven days a week: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Select your location by:
1. Availability; website and yours
2. Proximity to you
Oct 14, 2016, 4:49 pm
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
YVR has much better hours, open until 6pm including weekends. Vancouver Main Street is only open until 4 on weekdays and not at all on weekends.
Oct 15, 2016, 11:39 pm
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
My partner just renewed her passport, however used a different Passport Canada office and as such the issuing authority is different than on her previous passport. Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but when I updated her information on the GOES website the only fields that were editable were the passport number and dates. So her information is now technically inaccurate in the GOES system.
Is this something that will require a trip to our local enrolment centre?
Is this something that will require a trip to our local enrolment centre?
Oct 18, 2016, 7:51 pm
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Houston
Programs: UA: MM
Posts: 844
Retina Scan is Good for Life!
Had my re-application interview at Niagara Falls Enrollment Center (US side) today and I confirmed with the Canadian CBSA officer that once you have a retina scan you don't need to repeat it - ever.
I was concerned about this as my NEXUS expired so I had to go through the application process again. Having to fly in and go through immigration or cross the border to get the scan might have been a nuisance. (Although the officers at the center were sending people across the bridge to have it done. I heard them tell one couple to just drive over and tell the agent that you are going for your retina scan. So maybe not such a big deal at Niagara.)
They were also very liberal in managing interview times. I was scheduled for 3:30 but got there around 2:00. I picked up my clipboard (they have them laid out with your info) and was taking right in by a Canadian officer.
FWIW
DLM
I was concerned about this as my NEXUS expired so I had to go through the application process again. Having to fly in and go through immigration or cross the border to get the scan might have been a nuisance. (Although the officers at the center were sending people across the bridge to have it done. I heard them tell one couple to just drive over and tell the agent that you are going for your retina scan. So maybe not such a big deal at Niagara.)
They were also very liberal in managing interview times. I was scheduled for 3:30 but got there around 2:00. I picked up my clipboard (they have them laid out with your info) and was taking right in by a Canadian officer.
FWIW
DLM
Oct 18, 2016, 8:58 pm
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
Nitpicking, but it's an iris scan, not a retina scan.
Oct 19, 2016, 5:19 am
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Houston
Programs: UA: MM
Posts: 844
Oct 20, 2016, 6:14 am
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
Hi Folks,
As my nexus preliminary approval took longer that I had hoped, and I suddenly had to travel, I needed to renew my passport this week while my status for NEXUS is "conditionally approved". It seems that GOES does not allow for updating the passport when you have an application in process. I've sent an email asking for guidance, but does anyone know if this is going to be a major, minor, or hopefully, non issue?
Thanks,
Sid
As my nexus preliminary approval took longer that I had hoped, and I suddenly had to travel, I needed to renew my passport this week while my status for NEXUS is "conditionally approved". It seems that GOES does not allow for updating the passport when you have an application in process. I've sent an email asking for guidance, but does anyone know if this is going to be a major, minor, or hopefully, non issue?
Thanks,
Sid
Oct 20, 2016, 6:28 am
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,647
Hi Folks,
As my nexus preliminary approval took longer that I had hoped, and I suddenly had to travel, I needed to renew my passport this week while my status for NEXUS is "conditionally approved". It seems that GOES does not allow for updating the passport when you have an application in process. I've sent an email asking for guidance, but does anyone know if this is going to be a major, minor, or hopefully, non issue?
Thanks,
Sid
As my nexus preliminary approval took longer that I had hoped, and I suddenly had to travel, I needed to renew my passport this week while my status for NEXUS is "conditionally approved". It seems that GOES does not allow for updating the passport when you have an application in process. I've sent an email asking for guidance, but does anyone know if this is going to be a major, minor, or hopefully, non issue?
Thanks,
Sid
Oct 20, 2016, 6:34 am
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
Hi Folks,
As my nexus preliminary approval took longer that I had hoped, and I suddenly had to travel, I needed to renew my passport this week while my status for NEXUS is "conditionally approved". It seems that GOES does not allow for updating the passport when you have an application in process. I've sent an email asking for guidance, but does anyone know if this is going to be a major, minor, or hopefully, non issue?
Thanks,
Sid
As my nexus preliminary approval took longer that I had hoped, and I suddenly had to travel, I needed to renew my passport this week while my status for NEXUS is "conditionally approved". It seems that GOES does not allow for updating the passport when you have an application in process. I've sent an email asking for guidance, but does anyone know if this is going to be a major, minor, or hopefully, non issue?
Thanks,
Sid
Your passport number can probably be updated at interview time.
Oct 20, 2016, 8:02 am
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
If your NEXUS membership isn't fully approved (i.e. you've been interviewed and gotten a card), then you can't use Nexus or GE, hence what you have in GOES is irrelevant since you need to enter in the normal way.
Your passport number can probably be updated at interview time.
Your passport number can probably be updated at interview time.
Oct 20, 2016, 8:41 am
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
My partner just renewed her passport, however used a different Passport Canada office and as such the issuing authority is different than on her previous passport. Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but when I updated her information on the GOES website the only fields that were editable were the passport number and dates. So her information is now technically inaccurate in the GOES system.
Is this something that will require a trip to our local enrolment centre?
Is this something that will require a trip to our local enrolment centre?
And yes, I did this a month ago and specifically asked if it was really necessary. I was told Yes.
Oct 20, 2016, 8:50 am
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
The NEXUS Enrolment Centre has been temporarily relocated to:
Airport Emergency Support Centre (AESC) Building
2935 Convair Drive
Mississauga, ON
L5P 1A2
It is inconvenient to get to (you would need taxi). I was there a month ago and asked when they would be moving back to the airport and was told by the end of the year.
Considering how common it is to have delays in building and renovations, definitively check and make sure they are in fact back at the airport.
Oct 20, 2016, 8:53 am
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
FWIW I did see someone get a "document not recognised" at the GE kiosks recently (which is probably what would happen without updating the passport), I think they then went to the closest (GE-exclusive) immigration booth. To be honest, that's not something I'd recommend trying since your officially supposed to update passports before travel, although in your circumstances it wouldn't exactly be unreasonable.
Alternatively, could you maybe try calling CBP? I gather it's difficult to actually reach them, but updating your passport should be quite fast for them to do.
Oct 20, 2016, 8:53 am
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
thanks for the feedback, folks.
Oct 20, 2016, 6:38 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,896
While some documentation specifies GOES-only is ok - it's a US system and won't update the Canadians. I've asked this question about a dozen times over the years - US has always reponded GOES is enough, Canadian officers have always stayed you need to do it in person. There's been a lot of arguments about it on this board. But given its quick to take it into the office and ensures you're covered, much Better to just do that, IMO
While IME, Nexus offices are hard to get on the phone (especially YYZ), GE are pretty good, IME. There are a lot more of them, too - so if one doesn't pick up, likely another one will.