Again, an application sent, and access to the main system are two completely different items.

The GOES website, a wholly US (CBP/DHS site) is the portal through which you enter the information, and it can be sent.

I have no specific knowledge to the backend process, but having worked with application-based initiatives before, likely, when you click send, the application information is likely securely sent into a central 'NEXUS' database, and both CBSA and CBP are prompted to start their separate background check processes. Each side, once they approve, likely has an authorized person check that they have approved the application on their end once that process is complete, and once both boxes are 'checked' (so to speak), you are conditionally approved, and that prompts GOES to allow your appointment, which then gives you the ability to schedule an interview.

An update input through a member into GOES is going into a CBP (i.e., US-only) website/database, so updates them only. Of course, its theoretically possible for that info. to be sent to the central Nexus database, or to CBSA in some other manner. For whatever reason, intentional or not, it clearly isn't happening. That's based on the wide-ranging reports on here (and interactions I've had personally with the Canadian folks confirming this). If its a 'bug', its clearly not one that is being fixed with any sort of priority.

For me, I'll take the extra ~10 minutes once every 10 years (yup, that averages out to a singe minute a year - 2 for me since I'm dual and each passport expires in different years) to make sure I show up at an office to update. If you or others want to take chances with a simple GOES update, especially knowing the Canadians aren't updated like they need to be, that's certainly a call you can make.

I have a question.

I am in the process of doing the Nexus renewal process online. A question asked where my Primary residence is. I am currently a student in the US (F1 visa) working under OPT. Do I put in my USA or CAN address?

I'm fairly certain F-1 visitors are required to maintain a foreign residence, so by implication any US address can't be your primary residence - in other words you probably want to use your Canadian address. Only thing I'm not so sure about is that you're now on OPT, but I don't think that would change anything - you're still only "visiting' the US (for reference: I'm on a J-1, and my residence is not in the US, but I did list my US address as one of the (many) additional addresses on a GE application).

(Now what I don't know is what Canada's rules on residency are: in my case I'm provably a resident of my home country, but every country varies...)

Alright folks, I went in for my NEXUS appointment at Blaine, WA yesterday.

Overall from application to conditional approval, it took about 3 months. I scheduled it in Blaine as everywhere else has months-long waits.

Set the appointment for 2 PM. Was asked to come talk at 2:25-ish. Was asked by US customs officer why I want NEXUS, what I do, what I do in Canada, if I fly international a lot, then took fingerprints. Canadian customs lady then explained I need to do an iris scan at some point in Canada, they don't do it there. Explained the rest of the program and its limitations and sent me on my way.

PreCheck seems to be working 24 hours later.

FYI, apparently the enrollment center at YYZ is open once again in the regular terminal. Need to update a passport next week, and was coming in today and aksed the info. desk if Nexus office was open again. She said yes. Which is fortunate for us, as I didn't want to trek out to the off-site location.

Also, don't know if its been commented on much/at all, but very much appreciate the fact that they changed the programming of the machines at some point, probably at least 2-3 months ago, to force us to remove the card after reading it, but before continuing onto the questions. It was a pain to leave it in there...I almost forgot it once, and found someone else who left it in the machine I used once as well.

Now if they could just get new readers that don't require you to insert the card so far in in the first place......

When am I supposed to renew my card? I see a lot of documentation online that says "3 months before it expires", but...

1. It's letting me submit a renewal application now (10 months)
2. Given how drastically my situation has changed (I live in a different country, have a US visa, etc.), I expected to require an interview, and the time between when I submit an application and when I can make it to an enrolment center may exceed 3 months, and I don't want it to expire.

Nuts entering Canada
 

What is the recent experience with CBSA if you check the box declaring food, nuts, etc? If you have packaged nuts or other processed food (candy, etc.) do you get screened quickly or does it automatically trigger a secondary inspection?

When going into Canada using the kiosk's, IME, answering yes to anything triggers a secondary, as there's no one to see before you leave the customs hall. Of course, if you have items they ask about, you absolutely need to answer yes, but that's how it goes.

I've had varying things with those inspections. Last time (I think November), it was a really quick what do you have, and after answering, waved right through. I've had other times where they've looked through my bag (though still done in a few minutes).

If you are coming in at a time when lines aren't bad, may be better to go through regular line and declare there. Honestly, I don't think I've ever been sent to secondary if declaring to an actual officer - IME, they ask and then approve (likely dependent on what it is you are declaring.

Always sent to secondary at YVR where there isn't an expedited line for nexus. Nowadays I use the regular passport kiosk if I have to declare food

I would renew now, since the expiry date is based on your birthday 5 years from approval, there's no difference renewing at 11 months and 2 months to expiry

How does one go about updating a passport's "issuing authority" in GOES? I can enter my new passport number and issuance / expiry dates, but not the issuing authority.

Now, paying it forward :)

IME there's no harm in renewing as early as possible. Since the expiry date is based on your birthday, you don't actually "lose out" by renewing earlier. As a matter of fact, I renewed about 8 months early because Mrs ffsim was getting her first Nexus card and I just wanted to submit the applications at the same time.

I generally use the crew lane in these instances. They've always asked to see my passport (never my Nexus card) and seem to treat the primary inspection like any other in the regular line. Always been sent on my way without passing through secondary.

I've also done this on occasion and it has the added benefit of eliminating the risk of running into a CBSA agent who isn't happy with you using the crew lane ;)

At YVR there's a screener just as you leave the kiosk and before the baggage carousel, who checks that you have the card from the kiosk, then another one collecting the cards as you exit the customs hall. So what I'm hearing is that neither of these people will simply ask what you have and clear you through if it's not a big deal?

On one occasion about ten or fifteen years ago I was sent by the exit card collector into secondary because I said I had "commercial samples", which were actually three small rock samples. When I got to the door of the secondary zone I told the guy all I had was three small pieces of rock and he immediately let me go.

Until about 6 months ago at YVR, I would say 'yes' to the food question and the officer just past the Nexus kiosks checking my slip would ask me what I had. I would say coffee or chocolate or whatever I had and he would just scribble something and send me onwards.

Since last fall, that same guy now directs you to a lineup to his left. Same lineup that the automated kiosks use, I believe. He doesn't want to hear about what you have, even if it's a pack of gum - just sends you into the lineup. Which can be quite long.

It's a PITA as I regularly arrive into YVR at midnight and the last Skytrain/bus combo to my house leaves at 12:35am. Plenty of time the old way but now, having to wait in that line is really, really cutting it close. The last time, it was going on 12:20am and there were still 3 people ahead of me. I asked the guy who sent me over to the line if I could just ditch the chocolate and go since I was going to miss my train and I had no other way to get home. Nope. He said I'd still have to wait even of I threw out the chocolate. I made it just barely but it has sure made me decide not bring anything edible with me when I am arriving on that flight. Never had a problem with the exit card collector at the customs exit.

I think the easy answer is just not to bring any food with you.

Recently applied and received my Nexus card. I plan to also use it at land crossings in Niagara Falls, especially for the Whirlpool bridge. Some questions I have:

In the old Canpass days, I used to get a booklet where I would declare goods and the amount above my allowed limit was charged to my credit card. When Canpass ended, and I returned to using regular booths on other bridges, most Agents didn't bother having us pay for small amounts and let us pass through. How does it work now with Nexus? I have no booklet. Do I still speak with an agent, event at whirlpool? Is there a secondary inspection there?

Where do go to load money on my card to pay for the toll on the return to Canada? I heard it's at the bridge, but where?