NEXUS questions

Thinking of applying although it's a bit of a nuisance since there is no enrollment centre that is close.

Is it only beneficial when crossing the border? ie. if we are already in Detroit (or Buffalo), does Nexus provide any benefit when flying from one of those airports to MCO? Similarly, MCO back to Detroit or Buffalo, any benefit?

Do you need to bring passports as well when crossing the border by land or air, or is Nexus enough? I read about someone who had detailed questioning, and was asked to see their passport, even though they provided their NEXUS card.

TIA.

I don't know if you can use the card from MCO to BUF or not but you can definitely use it domestically in Canada. I use it when flying from Toronto to Ottawa. The last time I flew to Ottawa, the Nexus security line in Toronto was nearly 30 minutes but the regular security was apparently taking almost an hour. Given that it was a good 15 minute walk to the gate, I was very glad to have it. Ottawa can often be as busy as Toronto for security lines. EDIT: I remember now that we were able to use the Nexus cards when we took a short flight from Oahu to the Big Island so perhaps you can use it from one US airport to another.

Yes, you do have to have passports when using a Nexus card. In fact, if you are asked for one and cannot produce it, it is grounds for confiscating your Nexus card. I've never been asked for it but I always travel with it. Also, if you are going through a land crossing, everyone in the car has to have a Nexus card including children.

We also discovered that you can use it for customs when returning from overseas. We came back from Italy last year and went into the Nexus line. There were 15 or so empty machines and all they did was take the forms that get printed out as we walked out. Not even any questions although that would it obviously depend on how you answer the questions on the machine. I think we were through in less than 5 minutes.

Also be aware that, if you are travelling FROM a US airport TO a Canadian airport, you need to make sure to either enter your Nexus number if you do online check-in or show it to the agent if you're doing it in person. If you do not do this, you will not get TSA Pre-check printed on your boarding pass and you will not be able to use the TSA Pre-Check line even if you show your card. This isn't the case going FROM the US TO Canada. We, of course, discovered this in MCO when they had horrendous lines and we only found out after standing in line there for 5 minutes and then were diverted to the regular, even longer, line. Now we always make sure to enter it online and confirm that the boarding pass says TSA Pre-Check.

It may be a pain to have to travel to the enrollment centre for the interview, but I have to say it's the best $50 I ever spent. We just renewed our cards and mine was just mailed to me but DH had to go back to Pearson for an interview. We both took the day off work and went together and made a day out of it with a nice dinner at the end. We waited for about 30 minutes, he was called up and asked if he still worked at the same place (yes), still lived at the same address (yes), then they took his fingerprints and photo. Done. He was probably there for 3 minutes. A total pain to drive 90 minutes to get there but still worth the $50 and the hassle. At least the initial application and renewal is all online as are any minor updates like new passport numbers.
 
A quick note as there is a bit of a delay in processing due to the government shutdown earlier this year. I put in my renewal application (it expires in December) and am awaiting approval/rejection.
 
Yes, you do have to have passports when using a Nexus card. In fact, if you are asked for one and cannot produce it, it is grounds for confiscating your Nexus card. I've never been asked for it but I always travel with it. Also, if you are going through a land crossing, everyone in the car has to have a Nexus card including children.

Not sure where you're getting your information, but it's wrong.

- Children under 16 require neither passport or Nexus for land entry, birth certificate only.
- You do not need both a passport and Nexus, UNLESS you are flying from Canada into the US, to an airport that doesn't participate in the Global Entry program (not all do), or if the flight isn't pre-cleared. It is wise to double check the list of participating airports, as this is where a lot of misinformation comes from.

This is per the government agencies themselves.
 
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Great info in this thread everyone. Thanks again. Sent off the application today for the whole family. Hope we get the cards in time for our summer trip.

When is your trip? To be honest, they probably won't be here in time unless it's the very end of summer. We submitted our renewal application (which is processed even faster than new apps) end of May last year, and by the time the pre approval came, we did the interview and then physically had the card in hand, it was almost September. And they're even further behind this year.
 
Not sure where you're getting your information, but it's wrong.

- Children under 16 require neither passport or Nexus for land entry, birth certificate only.
- You do not need both a passport and Nexus, UNLESS you are flying from Canada into the US, to an airport that doesn't participate in the Global Entry program (not all do), or if the flight isn't pre-cleared. It is wise to double check the list of participating airports, as this is where a lot of misinformation comes from.

This is per the government agencies themselves.

If you are going through a land crossing, you do not need a passport. However, if the vehicle is going through a Nexus border crossing, everyone in the car must have a Nexus card otherwise they must use a regular lane. That includes children. Both the US CBP and CBSA sites state this. If you are going through a Ready Lane, at which you may use a Nexus card, children under 16 do not require a Nexus card. Ready Lanes are faster than regular lanes but not as fast as Nexus lanes.

I looked it up and you are correct that it is now the case that you do not always need to have your passport when you have a Nexus card and are crossing the border. This is relatively new - when we first got our cards we were told that we must have our passports on us when using a Nexus card and produce it if requested (and DH was asked to do so at one point about 2-3 years ago though we still don't know why). I still intend to carry mine.
 
Not sure where you're getting your information, but it's wrong.

- Children under 16 require neither passport or Nexus for land entry, birth certificate only.
- You do not need both a passport and Nexus, UNLESS you are flying from Canada into the US, to an airport that doesn't participate in the Global Entry program (not all do), or if the flight isn't pre-cleared. It is wise to double check the list of participating airports, as this is where a lot of misinformation comes from.

LOL
My ‘misinformation’ comes from the Nexus Membership Guide that arrived with my Nexus card.

“Children must also be Nexus members to access a Nexus designated lane or self-serve kiosk; otherwise you must use regular lanes.”

I would also swear reading (or being told officially) that a Customs Officer may ask you to present a passport in addition to the Nexus card. However, I am having trouble finding that in print. From what I am reading, the Nexus card is “proof of identity and a document that denotes citizenship” ... “at all land and marine ports of entry.”

It is interesting that the last part of the quote only mentions “land and marine.” So, a passport is still ‘required’ for air travel due to the reason you said... that not all airports participate in the Global entry program.


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If you are going through a land crossing, you do not need a passport. However, if the vehicle is going through a Nexus border crossing, everyone in the car must have a Nexus card otherwise they must use a regular lane. That includes children. Both the US CBP and CBSA sites state this. If you are going through a Ready Lane, at which you may use a Nexus card, children under 16 do not require a Nexus card. Ready Lanes are faster than regular lanes but not as fast as Nexus lanes.

I looked it up and you are correct that it is now the case that you do not always need to have your passport when you have a Nexus card and are crossing the border. This is relatively new - when we first got our cards we were told that we must have our passports on us when using a Nexus card and produce it if requested (and DH was asked to do so at one point about 2-3 years ago though we still don't know why). I still intend to carry mine.

If you're using the Nexus lane yes, you must have the card, but in the regular lane, a child needs neither a passport or Nexus, just birth certificate.
 
If you're using the Nexus lane yes, you must have the card, but in the regular lane, a child needs neither a passport or Nexus, just birth certificate.

LOL again.
This whole thread is about Nexus. It goes without saying that you don’t need a Nexus card to use a regular lane. Heck... You can ignore all the Nexus guidelines if you aren’t going to use Nexus. :P
 
When is your trip? To be honest, they probably won't be here in time unless it's the very end of summer. We submitted our renewal application (which is processed even faster than new apps) end of May last year, and by the time the pre approval came, we did the interview and then physically had the card in hand, it was almost September. And they're even further behind this year.

First trip is early Aug. At the moment, it looks like interviews at Pearson are booking a month away, but you can get an interview within days at the Fort Erie location, so we will go there. I read that after the interview, you get the card within a week or so. Fingers crossed.
 
LOL again.
This whole thread is about Nexus. It goes without saying that you don’t need a Nexus card to use a regular lane. Heck... You can ignore all the Nexus guidelines if you aren’t going to use Nexus. :P

Nexus is USED even in regular lanes, when it is your ID. Many people have Nexus in lieu of passports, not just for the sake of speeding things up in Nexus lanes. So quite frankly, the Nexus lane, was the moot point.
 
First trip is early Aug. At the moment, it looks like interviews at Pearson are booking a month away, but you can get an interview within days at the Fort Erie location, so we will go there. I read that after the interview, you get the card within a week or so. Fingers crossed.

Yes. It just took about 8 weeks before we were even approved to book an interview. So probably 10-12 weeks would be a safe bet, depending how bad their backlog is, for cards in hand.
 
A quick note as there is a bit of a delay in processing due to the government shutdown earlier this year. I put in my renewal application (it expires in December) and am awaiting approval/rejection.

Thanks for that heads-up! May I ask how early you can start the renewal process?
 
Nexus is USED even in regular lanes, when it is your ID. Many people have Nexus in lieu of passports, not just for the sake of speeding things up in Nexus lanes. So quite frankly, the Nexus lane, was the moot point.

Hmmmm... Interesting. I was not aware.

I am completely open to being corrected but I believe passports are universally easier to acquire than a Nexus pass. For example, the whole Canadian passport process can be done by mail and complete within 20-days. It can even be done in a week if applied for in person.

Other than the faster Nexus service, why would someone opt for a Nexus in lieu of a passport?

For example: Why would one go through multiple rounds of screening, including a scheduled in-person interview, in process that takes 2-months at a minimum, to acquire a document that expires in five years (vs. a 10-year Canadian passport).

I know this question sounds facetious and I apologize. I’m just looking to learn. (Like, I already learned that I don’t actually need to carry my passport anymore).
 
Hmmmm... Interesting. I was not aware.

I am completely open to being corrected but I believe passports are universally easier to acquire than a Nexus pass. For example, the whole Canadian passport process can be done by mail and complete within 20-days. It can even be done in a week if applied for in person.

Other than the faster Nexus service, why would someone opt for a Nexus in lieu of a passport?

For example: Why would one go through multiple rounds of screening, including a scheduled in-person interview, in process that takes 2-months at a minimum, to acquire a document that expires in five years (vs. a 10-year Canadian passport).

I know this question sounds facetious and I apologize. I’m just looking to learn. (Like, I already learned that I don’t actually need to carry my passport anymore).


Because it's less money. Nexus is only $50 per adult and completely free for kids under 16. Compared to $120 ($57 kids) for a 5 year passport plus the cost of your photo, and there's only one round of screening - a quick 10-15 minute interview. Plus you don't have to mail your birth certificates and risk their getting lost, or needing them for something in the interim.

So when our renewal came up for our family of 4, we paid $100 US vs. $434 CDN (including cost of photos).
 
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Because it's less money. Nexus is only $50 per adult and completely free for kids under 16. Compared to $120 ($57 kids) for a 5 year passport...

Well, there you go.

That would absolutely equal substantial savings for families with children.

I’ll add to the bonus by saying it’s actually free to 18-years of age (according to this website : https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html )

That is a great tip for families who only travel to to the USA and can get to a Nexus interview.
 
That is a great tip for families who only travel to to the USA and can get to a Nexus interview.

That's a big thing for many. If you know you're just traveling stateside, then why spend all the extra money? Many years ago we started out with passports as that's all that was available. When it came time to renew, we knew we wouldn't be going outside the US (or flying, since my DH is terrified of flying), so it just didn't make sense to spend all that money.
 
Well, there you go.

That would absolutely equal substantial savings for families with children.

I’ll add to the bonus by saying it’s actually free to 18-years of age (according to this website : https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html )

That is a great tip for families who only travel to to the USA and can get to a Nexus interview.

I'm fairly certain though that you need a passport to get a NEXUS card - though maybe I only used it because I have one and a birth certificate/other proof of citizenship is okay. I know that you have to update them if you get a new passport (but, again, maybe only if you have one).

Also, many airlines insist that you have a passport when across the border (I know that Porter did/does - they do not accept the NEXUS card alone).

Your NEXUS/Global Entry card lets you beat the customs and security queues.

Canadian and US citizens travelling between US and Canada must still carry a valid passport even when travelling with a Nexus card.


https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/travel-information/travel-documents/nexus
 
I'm fairly certain though that you need a passport to get a NEXUS card - though maybe I only used it because I have one and a birth certificate/other proof of citizenship is okay. I know that you have to update them if you get a new passport (but, again, maybe only if you have one).

Also, many airlines insist that you have a passport when across the border (I know that Porter did/does - they do not accept the NEXUS card alone).




https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/travel-information/travel-documents/nexus

That's old info. Both USBS and CBSA now state Nexus is fine. No passport required to get Nexus. Some airports do not have Nexus kiosks, in which case, you will need a passport. But most of the majors accept Nexus without any issue. You do not inherently need to have both a passport and Nexus card, unless you're flying into an airport that doesn't offer Nexus kiosks.
 
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