James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
23 comments
J
May 17, 2019
Is it possible to get a nexus card without a passport?
Christy Rodriguez
May 21, 2019
Hi J, yes it is possible to get a NEXUS card without a passport. For U.S. citizens, you must have one of the following: a valid passport; a birth certificate and photo ID; a U.S. citizenship certificate; a certificate of naturalization; OR a border crossing card.
If you are a Canadian citizen, be sure to check out the NEXUS website for more information: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/application-demande-eng.html
Jay
September 16, 2019
1. Paper applications for Nexus at no longer accepted by CBSA. The only way to apply is through the TTP website.
2. US and Canadian permanent residents need to wait three years after initial landing in order to be eligible for Nexus, with limited exceptions for family of military members.
3. “Thus, the program has no benefit to visitors of any countries other than the U.S. and Canada. For example, it has no use entering in the European Union, Australia, countries in South America, or Asia.”
Largely correct, but ignores the fact that having Global Entry, the benefits of which you get with Nexus, allows you certain privileges and rights with other countries. Many countries are trying to build an interconnected web of trusted traveler systems, and for US citizens, only if you are a member of Global Entry can you apply for those, such Privium in the Netherlands, SES in South Korea, Panama’s trusted traveler program, Indian’s planned trusted traveler program, et al.
4. Applying for Nexus
“If you’re in violation of any agriculture, customs, or immigration laws, there is almost no chance you will be approved.”
While technically true, there are caveats. Canadian Customs Act violations are wiped after 6 years, so you would be OK to apply after that point. US violations stay forever, but you can appeal to the Ombudsman to override the the denial, based on mitigating factors like elapsed time, subsequent travel and compliance, et al.
Evelyn Salman
October 23, 2019
I am having a difficult time with both Global Entry and Nexus.
Both my Global Entry and Nexus programs expire 12/19. I renewed my application for Global Entry on 7/19 and the application is still pending. For some reason, I am not given the opportunity to renew Nexus. There is no button to click, although there’s a notice that the membership expires in December. Are they both linked somehow?
Christy Rodriguez
October 23, 2019
Hi Evelyn, sorry you are having difficulty submitting your application for NEXUS. Just out of curiosity, is there a reason that you are applying for both? Unless you travel via a land crossing to Canada frequently, the rest of the benefits of the programs overlap.
We aren’t affiliated with Customs and Border Protection (who administers NEXUS and Global Entry), but we have heard that applications are taking longer than normal to be processed. We would suggest reaching out to them directly to inquire about why you aren’t able to renew your NEXUS application online starting with their contact information on their website: https://www.cbp.gov/contact
Scott Paul Pike
November 08, 2019
Who can I contact to find out why I’m still waiting on hearing anything on my Nexus application after waiting for 5 months?
Jarrod West
November 08, 2019
Hi Scott,
I would suggest you contact them directly by going to: https://www.cbp.gov/contact
Thanks for reading!
Evan Pozarny
December 02, 2019
Hi Jarrod,
A family member recently had their Nexus interview and they brought supporting documents related to an arrest years ago. The Canadian interviewer told them that he thought the documents were sufficient but they may receive a follow-up call from a Canadian officer if any additional information was needed. The next day an officer did call and asked for some additional info, and this family member said they would work on getting the requested information once they got back from Thanksgiving. They returned home over the weekend and they had been sent their Nexus card, which they activated. Do they still need to contact the officer and provide them with the info they requested or does the fact that they were sent their Nexus card mean that the matter is now closed?
Jarrod West
December 03, 2019
Hi Evan,
I would say that the fact that they have already received their Nexus card is definitely a great sign! But, if it were me, I would still follow up with the officer. It could be the case that their application was conditionally approved, provided that they receive those documents in a timely manner.
Thanks for reading!
Paul Owen
December 22, 2019
The simple fact that Nexus is only $50 and GE is $100 makes it hard to understand how it could offer so much more. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about the Nexus program between TSA, DHS, and CBP websites (as well as contact rep’s I’ve called so far)… and your article here.
1.) One statement on the CBP site’s FAQ’s page states that only Canadian Citizens holding Nexus get Pre-Check benefits (https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1354?language=en_US), while so many other resources say it’s “included”. If true, this might explain the lower cost.
2.) I live in the south (no interview offices… yet travel to Canada frequently, as well as the EU), and am not sure if as a US Citizen I can do a Nexus interview in Canada.
3.) On the DHS’s current TTP page, the initial comparison says Nexus “may include” Pre-Check… yet doesn’t explain the “may” part under details (which are pathetically short), where it states it DOES include domestic Pre-Check benefits. https://ttp.dhs.gov/
I travel a lot on biz, both domestic and int’l… though with the latter, at least 80% is to Canada. I’ve had Pre-Check since its inception, but been lazy about getting anything more. GE would be much easier to get, but if I can get into Canada faster with Nexus, then I’m all for it… but not if it will stop my domestic Pre-Check benefits, or slow me down when re-entering from the EU. Multiple sites say Nexus members can use GE kiosks, but seem clear about only having that ability when coming from a Canadian pre-clearance airport (not when coming home from any country OTHER than Canada).
I applaud the amazing amount of realistic info you divulge here (and at the same time sad that our gov’t agencies don’t – and in fact conflict themselves within their own websites), but I’m as confused as ever.
Bradley
February 20, 2020
I got conditionally approved in 1 day, now it’s just waiting for an appointment.
Mike Edwards
May 06, 2020
Can I use my nexus card when driving to canada for consulting work? All I bring is a laptop and business cards.
Jarrod West
May 11, 2020
Hi Mike,
Yes, you can use your Nexus card for entry into Canada.
Thanks for reading!
Raymond Dube
June 07, 2020
Can you clarify for us this issue? We are unable at this moment to apply for interviews because of the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 however, when time comes for us to apply, do we indicate interview for 1+ or interview for 2+? My wife and I are conditionally Approved and awaiting the interview process.
Ray
Jarrod West
July 13, 2020
Hi Ray,
There does not appear to be any publicly available information regarding this. I recommend you contact the Customs and Border Protection customer service office at 1-(877)-227-5511 for an exact answer.
Thanks for reading!
Parit Chauhan
August 10, 2021
This is the most comprehensive explanation by far and I applaud the effort, but my own question is still unanswered (I think Paul touched on it above), does Nexus also include ALL of the benefits of Global Entry or is there any benefit to having both? If it does include ALL of the same benefits, PLUS the Nexus benefits, it seems like the cheaper price ($50 vs $100) is misleading. Any further help or direction would be very appreciated!
Jarrod West
August 11, 2021
Hi Parit,
The NEXUS card will be recognized by the Global Entry kiosks in Canada Preclearance locations only. You cannot use your NEXUS card at Global Entry kiosks outside of Canadian Preclearance locations.
Sheena
August 31, 2021
How do I renew my children’s nexus cards? I can not create a login on login.gov since they are under the age of 13.
Jarrod West
August 31, 2021
Hi Sheena,
You should be able to submit new applications for them using your login.
Asim
September 23, 2021
I have an interview scheduled for October 20 at Fort Erie. Now as I understand that all the enrolment centers are closed, I still have not received an email for cancellation and online it still shows that I have an interview date of October 20th. First question is that should assume it’s canceled or wait for their email? There are no dates available online so if I cancel will my temporary approval be expired? As it’s valid for 740 days? That would be in 3 months for me.
Anya
January 23, 2022
My boyfriend was conditionally approved for nexus. We applied last year not realizing that he will need an interview that those are not being conducted at this time. I’ve read somewhere that if we will be crossing US border it is possible to finalize his approval with border official. Does anyone know anything about this and if it’s even true. Thank you!
Rosa
May 09, 2023
I am applying for Nexus right now. I selected my Citizenship (Canadian) and provided my Canadian passport as proof, now they ask for proof that I can enter to the US, can I also provide my Canadian passport for this proof? We don’t need a visa to enter the US… but it is a mandatory field.
Jarrod West
May 10, 2023
Hi Rosa,
Yes, you should be fine to enter your Canadian passport details there.
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