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
Jul 22, 2008, 7:03 am
#436
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Toronto, ON, CA
Programs: AC*E; pick a number between 25 and 50K
Posts: 252
That being said, I went to the YYZ Nexus office last weekend with my wife and two daughters as they got their Nexus cards as well. I had the long form birth certificates with me, but they didn't ask for them. The passports were enough proof of identity and they didn't even ask if there were any custody restrictions on the girls.
Only two single individuals through the office yesterday evening, the rest were families doing their kids.
7 year old managed the iris scan, 3 year old did not.
Jul 26, 2008, 11:27 am
#437
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
The card stock was just basic blank unsecured card stock... It's done on a printer similar to what Costco uses to make their cards... So yes, they have a huge step to improve the cards.
Wonder if they will no longer issue the cards at the airport locations from then on.
Wonder if they will no longer issue the cards at the airport locations from then on.
Jul 26, 2008, 12:29 pm
#438
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YVR (most of the time)
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 117
Jul 27, 2008, 8:34 am
#439
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
NEXUS as valid photo ID at US airports
I find it quite absurd that the NEXUS card can get me into both countries but is not considered valid government-issued ID by TSA goons at PDX (though I've had no such issues at other US airports). Yesterday I used the fast-track lane (a blessing given the lineup for the regular lanes) at PDX. Curiously, AC/AE cards are not shown on the list of eligible ones that get you into this lane (all other carriers' FF elite cards were illustrated on the list), though a First Class boarding pass did it for me. I always use my NEXUS card as the required photo ID for boarding, inspection and other such "reviews" of who I am. But the nazi officer manning this station would have none of that. "Can't take this" he barked. It seems a New Jersey drivers license worked for the guy two ahead of me. (The person directly in front of me was an elderly lady who was told by him that she'd been selected for extra scrutiny and channeled off to position 8! What utter stupidity and waste of time and resources...but that's how Bush is protecting us all in the air!) I said it was US government issued ID but he said "We don't use it at this airport." Without wanting to escalate matters further and be channeled off to position 8, I handed over my passport, to which he then took his jeweler's eye glass to do an intensive examination.
Jeez, how inconsistent can the US government get? One wing of the same department issues us cards that get us into the country without examination after having us pass a security screening, and yet their other won't acknowledge it being valid ID to get through a security line at a regional airport.
Then getting onto the flight from ORD-YYZ last night, the UA agent checking documents would not accept it as proof I could get back into Canada. Again, what's the point of arguing?
Jeez, how inconsistent can the US government get? One wing of the same department issues us cards that get us into the country without examination after having us pass a security screening, and yet their other won't acknowledge it being valid ID to get through a security line at a regional airport.
Then getting onto the flight from ORD-YYZ last night, the UA agent checking documents would not accept it as proof I could get back into Canada. Again, what's the point of arguing?
Jul 27, 2008, 5:41 pm
#440
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 241
Since there cards are used 99.5% of the time in Canada or on the Canadian border it is no surprise that TSA, CBP or gate agents don't have a clue what they are.
Install some Nexus kiosks in the US and this would all change.
Install some Nexus kiosks in the US and this would all change.
Jul 28, 2008, 11:49 am
#441
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: UA, AA, AC
Posts: 14
Champlain, NY border crossing
Does anyone have an update on the NEXUS procedure entering the U.S. at Champlain, NY? The advice from fly-yul last May was to ignore the NEXUS sign pointing the wrong way. Has the signage been fixed yet?
Jul 28, 2008, 12:22 pm
#442
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
FYI - I crossed via Highgate springs to Vermont on Thursday and went in the NEXUS lane. Except the lane was closed (without any indication). They made me back up and go into the general line. They really need to get their collective acts together with some standardized signage and procedures. For example at the Lacolle, I went in the general line because the Nexus lane was closed with orange cones. When I got to the front of the line the CBSA agent told me I was supposed to know that they do that because too many people without NEXUS had been getting into the line. The whole thing is pretty ridiculous.
Jul 28, 2008, 1:53 pm
#443
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
I tried to use my NEXUS card at IAD security and was told that it was not on their accepted identification list. The inspector found it interesting and called over his supervisor and we had a nice little chat. They promised to look into it for the future and I showed my passport. If you get through IAD with a Nexus card you can thank me.
Jul 28, 2008, 3:40 pm
#444
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AC SE100K MM,, HHonors Diamond,
Posts: 103
My wife tried to use her Nexus card on a return trip from Buffalo last week. She had no problems using her Nexus card going there, but coming back, the CBSA told her they don't accept this card as ID and requested her to give other ID.
Of course this was a non nexus lane as she was travelling with her friend which is not part of NEXUS.
Geesh, don't understand why they are refusing these cards as ID.
Jay
Of course this was a non nexus lane as she was travelling with her friend which is not part of NEXUS.
Geesh, don't understand why they are refusing these cards as ID.
Jay
Jul 28, 2008, 4:45 pm
#445
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
My wife tried to use her Nexus card on a return trip from Buffalo last week. She had no problems using her Nexus card going there, but coming back, the CBSA told her they don't accept this card as ID and requested her to give other ID.
Of course this was a non nexus lane as she was travelling with her friend which is not part of NEXUS.
Geesh, don't understand why they are refusing these cards as ID.
Jay
Of course this was a non nexus lane as she was travelling with her friend which is not part of NEXUS.
Geesh, don't understand why they are refusing these cards as ID.
Jay
This is of course a different issue than the TSA not accepting a NEXUS card. That makes no sense at all and is in fact approved on their own website.
Jul 28, 2008, 8:01 pm
#446
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,803
My wife tried to use her Nexus card on a return trip from Buffalo last week. She had no problems using her Nexus card going there, but coming back, the CBSA told her they don't accept this card as ID and requested her to give other ID.
Of course this was a non nexus lane as she was travelling with her friend which is not part of NEXUS.
Of course this was a non nexus lane as she was travelling with her friend which is not part of NEXUS.
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Jul 28, 2008 at 9:49 pm Reason: grammar
Jul 28, 2008, 9:46 pm
#447
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
They were NOT in the Nexus lane, but rather the regular lane. So there was no requirement for all passengers to be Nexus members.
The problem arose because they tried to use their Nexus card as proof of citizenship, or at least admissability, and the agent wanted something more -- i.e. passport.
The US has stated the the Nexus card is a sufficient travel document under the/their Western Hemisphere border initiative, or whatever they call it. But I don't think Canada has.
Jul 28, 2008, 9:49 pm
#448
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,803
Back in 2002, Blaine Nexus office warned that if you used the Nexus card in the non-Nexus lane, you lost it. I guess since it was supposed to be usable as a transborder travel document, that was revoked.
Jul 30, 2008, 10:41 am
#449
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 8,564
Since there cards are used 99.5% of the time in Canada or on the Canadian border it is no surprise that TSA, CBP or gate agents don't have a clue what they are.
Given that (as others posted) this is supposed to be a substitute for a passport to meet the US regulations, and is held by both Americans and Canadians, I'd expect it to be high on the list of approved IDs.
=aw
Jul 30, 2008, 11:36 am
#450
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,289
TSA in EWR let me through to YUL on my Nexus card last summer... however the gate agent was hesitant and needed to ask the flight attendants (yeah... 
) if it was acceptable.
) if it was acceptable.