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
Dec 23, 2017, 9:31 am
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
In order for one obtaining a passport, in most cases, an original or certified copy of birth certificate had to be provided. If one has a valid passport, then it is not necessary.
Dec 23, 2017, 10:27 am
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
My mileage varies. When I and my kids went for our initial interviews, the CBP agent insisted we all present birth certificates in addition to our passports. I had mine with me but not the kids. We completed the interviews but I had to go home and return with the kids' birth certificates later in the day before they were approved.
Dec 23, 2017, 11:28 am
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 177
My mileage varies. When I and my kids went for our initial interviews, the CBP agent insisted we all present birth certificates in addition to our passports. I had mine with me but not the kids. We completed the interviews but I had to go home and return with the kids' birth certificates later in the day before they were approved.
If not, it sounds like that CBP officer was making up rules/procedures on his own. His instruction contradicts the appointment confirmation letter, the CBP INFO FAQs, and other CBP documents.
As we've seen in other threads, like for ABTC, you could write to the ombudsman soon after the interview and get the officer straightened out on proper procedure, but it's generally more trouble than just bringing the birth certificates.
Dec 23, 2017, 3:10 pm
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Did you enter your and your childrens' birth certificates into the GOES application as proof of citizenship or admissibility (in addition to the passport, or instead of the passports)? Last month, we helped someone in this forum who absent-mindedly entered his naturalization certificate in the application, in addition to his passport, and so his confirmation letter directed him to bring both.
If not, it sounds like that CBP officer was making up rules/procedures on his own. His instruction contradicts the appointment confirmation letter, the CBP INFO FAQs, and other CBP documents.
As we've seen in other threads, like for ABTC, you could write to the ombudsman soon after the interview and get the officer straightened out on proper procedure, but it's generally more trouble than just bringing the birth certificates.
If not, it sounds like that CBP officer was making up rules/procedures on his own. His instruction contradicts the appointment confirmation letter, the CBP INFO FAQs, and other CBP documents.
As we've seen in other threads, like for ABTC, you could write to the ombudsman soon after the interview and get the officer straightened out on proper procedure, but it's generally more trouble than just bringing the birth certificates.
Dec 24, 2017, 12:36 pm
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 177
My mileage varies. When I and my kids went for our initial interviews, the CBP agent insisted we all present birth certificates in addition to our passports. I had mine with me but not the kids. We completed the interviews but I had to go home and return with the kids' birth certificates later in the day before they were approved.
Dec 24, 2017, 3:23 pm
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Kiraly didn't need to present birth certificate for adult assuming Kiraly indicated passport as citizenship document in application and same document was present at interview.
Dec 25, 2017, 2:04 pm
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 177
Yeah, exactly. That's part of the reason I suggested that if Kiraly didn't include his own birth certificate on the NEXUS application as proof of admissibility or citizenship, then the officer was making up his own rules in demanding to see Kiraly's birth certificate.
Last edited by Newbie2FT; Dec 25, 2017 at 5:29 pm Reason: grammar
Dec 25, 2017, 10:53 pm
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
I'm pretty sure I entered both passport and birth certificate documents in the initial application for all three of us. I guess that's why they needed to see them at the interviews. Conditional approval letter said to bring passports to interviews but did not mention birth certificates.
Dec 26, 2017, 7:32 pm
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 177
I'm pretty sure I entered both passport and birth certificate documents in the initial application for all three of us. I guess that's why they needed to see them at the interviews. Conditional approval letter said to bring passports to interviews but did not mention birth certificates.
As far as the kids: @Kiraly - did you save the conditional approval letters and appointment confirmation letters or have access to them on the new TTP system? I'd actually be curious to double-check the text of them, and see whether birth certificate might have been quietly snuck into the list of documents to bring on the letters for your kids (and for you) (because you listed it on the application) and perhaps evaded your eyeballs in the middle of the list.
Last edited by Newbie2FT; Dec 26, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Dec 26, 2017, 8:58 pm
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
That explains why the CBP officer demanded Kiraly's birth certificate; it was listed on the application.
As far as the kids: @Kiraly - did you save the conditional approval letters and appointment confirmation letters or have access to them on the new TTP system?
As far as the kids: @Kiraly - did you save the conditional approval letters and appointment confirmation letters or have access to them on the new TTP system?
Dec 28, 2017, 9:15 am
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Moderator's Action
A recent question about ABTC/APEC interviews was moved to the following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Jan 4, 2018, 9:47 am
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 243
Point of info regarding crossing at the land border from Canada into the United States and brining passengers with you who are Global Entry members (and have GE RFID cards) but who are not NEXUS members. CBP agent told me two days ago that while some CBP agents may allows this, it is a violation of the NEXUS rules, and not to do it. I looked carefully at the rules and they don't contradict what he said. The GE rules say that It says GE members may use the NEXUS lane when entering the US, but the NEXUS rules say the driver must be a NEXUS member and must ensure that all passengers also be NEXUS members when using the NEXUS lane to enter the US. There's nothing in the NEXUS rules that say passengers may have GE only.
Presumably if you have a GE-only passenger, you should switch seats, get him to drive through, and you'd all then be in compliance.
Presumably if you have a GE-only passenger, you should switch seats, get him to drive through, and you'd all then be in compliance.
Jan 4, 2018, 11:15 am
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Technically probably does violate NEXUS rules but never had an issue with NEXUS driver and GE passengers crossing back into US before. Realistically I don't see this as material because all passengers have been CBP vetted.
Jan 4, 2018, 2:34 pm
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 852
Emailed CBSA a month ago, asking why not/recommending that they have Iris scans at all locations, not just at the airport locations and a few land locations (apparently only those located in side Canada). Got a generic response basically saying what an iris scan is and what it is used for :/
"The CBSA uses iris recognition biometric technology in the NEXUS kiosks. In order to use the self-serve kiosk, NEXUS members must have their irises photographed at an enrolment centre. Such requirement is specified on the NEXUS Enrolment Process webpage at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nex...crire-eng.html. Please note that iris photographing capability is available at all Canadian enrolment centres. For the list of NEXUS enrolment centres, please visit https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nex...ation-eng.html.
While the NEXUS program is a joint initiative between the CBSA and United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the CBSA is not in the position to comment on the information provided by the U.S. CBP. You may contact the U.S. CBP and share your feedback through their online form at https://help.cbp.gov/app/forms/complaint.
Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency."
"The CBSA uses iris recognition biometric technology in the NEXUS kiosks. In order to use the self-serve kiosk, NEXUS members must have their irises photographed at an enrolment centre. Such requirement is specified on the NEXUS Enrolment Process webpage at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nex...crire-eng.html. Please note that iris photographing capability is available at all Canadian enrolment centres. For the list of NEXUS enrolment centres, please visit https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nex...ation-eng.html.
While the NEXUS program is a joint initiative between the CBSA and United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the CBSA is not in the position to comment on the information provided by the U.S. CBP. You may contact the U.S. CBP and share your feedback through their online form at https://help.cbp.gov/app/forms/complaint.
Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency."
Jan 4, 2018, 4:52 pm
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
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Maybe US law blocking it? Only the locations located in US lack iris scan capability. Non-airport locations located in Canada can take iris scan.