mshanson3121
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
Nm
Last edited:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.![]()
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.
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).
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...
That is a great tip for families who only travel to to the USA and can get to a Nexus interview.
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.
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.
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