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
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAS/GRU/DUB
Programs: Amex, JPMR, Nexus
Posts: 365
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Here to report back on my experience.
I have Nexus. Renewed my US passport this fall. Updated my passport info on US (Trusted Traveler) website, which says updating online now suffices. I had not provided any update on Canadian side.
I live in US, flew out of YVR this month. Drove through the border with Nexus, no issues. Cleared departure security on the way out, arrival immigration on the way back. No issues. So based on this, I think online update suffices.
I have Nexus. Renewed my US passport this fall. Updated my passport info on US (Trusted Traveler) website, which says updating online now suffices. I had not provided any update on Canadian side.
I live in US, flew out of YVR this month. Drove through the border with Nexus, no issues. Cleared departure security on the way out, arrival immigration on the way back. No issues. So based on this, I think online update suffices.
I think this pretty much confirms that an online update to passport #/expiry date (no change in citizenship) is sufficient; no need to visit a NEXUS enrollment centre or fax anything in.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 852
NEXUS is a standalone document, meaning by itself you can enter the US or Canada without even owning a passport. So I think it would be more useful for our data purposes if people who updated or didn't update their passport, and tried to enter using that, posted.
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
My prior posts were really targeted toward a debate going on every now and then on this thread for more than 2-3 years.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/26037789-post9503.html
At that point in time I couldn't generate any data point to support the position no update in person is required as my passport didn't expire until end of 2017. I can now report multiple first hand experiences to support that.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 130
My son (minor) got conditionally approved for the Nexus and has an interview this weekend. My wife is unable to accompany me to the interview and so I am trying to figure out what I need to do for a "letter of consent".
I searched the thread and I saw one mention of an interview agent asking for a notarized letter. But that he let the lack of notary slide.
I don't think I'll be able to get a notarized letter before then. Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge about whether the letter needs to be notarized.
And I guess more importantly, what does the letter need to say?
Other info, that probably isn't pertinent, but just in case. Son is under 10. His GE expires a couple days after the interview.
Thanks
I searched the thread and I saw one mention of an interview agent asking for a notarized letter. But that he let the lack of notary slide.
I don't think I'll be able to get a notarized letter before then. Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge about whether the letter needs to be notarized.
And I guess more importantly, what does the letter need to say?
Other info, that probably isn't pertinent, but just in case. Son is under 10. His GE expires a couple days after the interview.
Thanks
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 484
My son (minor) got conditionally approved for the Nexus and has an interview this weekend. My wife is unable to accompany me to the interview and so I am trying to figure out what I need to do for a "letter of consent".
I searched the thread and I saw one mention of an interview agent asking for a notarized letter. But that he let the lack of notary slide.
I don't think I'll be able to get a notarized letter before then. Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge about whether the letter needs to be notarized.
And I guess more importantly, what does the letter need to say?
Other info, that probably isn't pertinent, but just in case. Son is under 10. His GE expires a couple days after the interview.
Thanks
I searched the thread and I saw one mention of an interview agent asking for a notarized letter. But that he let the lack of notary slide.
I don't think I'll be able to get a notarized letter before then. Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge about whether the letter needs to be notarized.
And I guess more importantly, what does the letter need to say?
Other info, that probably isn't pertinent, but just in case. Son is under 10. His GE expires a couple days after the interview.
Thanks
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 130
I went with my son for his renewal with a non-notarized letter from my wife. The agent said it should be notarized, but since it was just a renewal and that me and my wife had both been there for the original interview, and we are married, he would let it slide this time. However, he did say that if he wasn't so lenient, and she was unable to come to interview, he could leave it in process, and as long as she showed up within 30 days after the interview, they could process it that way.
Anyway, I called a number of locations (Michigan, NY, Maine...tried to call Washington, but no one picked up) and got two different answers
1) No notary needed was the consensus
2) Michigan guy said that as long as one parent was there and no custody issues, no need for any consent.
3) NY and Maine agents said that they just needed an informal letter of consent. The Maine one said that she personally wouldn't require one, but couldn't speak for her fellow agents.
Hopefully I get a nice agent at the appointment. =)
Thanks!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 130
Update. Went to the interview. Brought a signed letter of consent and a copy of the birth certificate (along with kid's passport).
Forgot (or got so distracted by the letter) to bring wife/mom's passport and Driver's license. They needed it to confirm the signature on the letter. Desk agent suggested I get a photo sent to my phone. And fortunately the interview agents were very kind and allowed it.
So anyway, original question answered. Notary not needed. But letter of consent and proof of signature needed.
Forgot (or got so distracted by the letter) to bring wife/mom's passport and Driver's license. They needed it to confirm the signature on the letter. Desk agent suggested I get a photo sent to my phone. And fortunately the interview agents were very kind and allowed it.
So anyway, original question answered. Notary not needed. But letter of consent and proof of signature needed.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 523
The NEXUS Information Thread
Planning to get my iris scan done on a future trip through YYZ or YVR. Do I need my nexus card with me or just passport?
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 523
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Kryptonium
Posts: 1,144
We drove from Detroit to Toronto to visit friends AND get the iris scan (stopped at YYZ on the way to their house). The scan took less than five minutes, but be aware, the Nexus office is pre-security so if you fly in and are making a connection you'll have to re-clear security. You don't need an appointment to just get the iris scan.
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Anyone replaced a NEXUS card recently? Mine was damaged and hence I requested a replacement Dec 21st, the day before government shutdown. I got the approval notice, but still has not received the card yet.
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Canada
Posts: 37
This was from a new application in which the interview took place just before the US Government shutdown.
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 264
We drove from Detroit to Toronto to visit friends AND get the iris scan (stopped at YYZ on the way to their house). The scan took less than five minutes, but be aware, the Nexus office is pre-security so if you fly in and are making a connection you'll have to re-clear security. You don't need an appointment to just get the iris scan.