Nexus Program

[mr_toast]

This has been asked before, I'm positive, but I've seen conflicting answers everywhere, so I thought I'd ask here for an answer from experience.

So, two questions. First: is the Nexus card a valid, legal replacement for a passport when crossing any border? When I travel through to the USA, I intend to carry another piece of Government ID, like a SIN card, or a birth certificate.

Second: I don't drive, I don't own a boat, and I don't fly. In short, I ride the bus. Now, will I still need a passport for passing bus passenger customs, or will a Nexus card be alright for that as well?

Why do I ask? My passport's up for renewal, and I only travel to the US, so I said, why bother with a passport?

[Beachdown]

The only reason you would get a Nexus card is to speed your way through immigration. If you travel by bus, you're wasting money (and time - it takes quite awhile to process a Nexus application).

You're question should be "why bother" with a Nexus card.

[tkyoshi]

You should still have a valid Passport for use with NEXUS.

If you travel by bus yes it is kind of pointless. But with an expired passport if you were to ever say travel through a nexus lane or have the card scanned you have a very high chance of being sent to secondary because of your expired document.

In your case an enhanced driver's license would probably fit your bill. You can use it to cross the border at land ports of entry only.

[ildara]

More info on Ontario Enhanced Driver's License (EDL):

http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/s...cenceGuide.pdf

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/0...s-licence.html

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/0...s-licence.html

[CSK'sMom]

Read the actual Nexus site. Yes, the Nexus card is an approved "replacement" for a passport for border crossing into the US. Yes you can cross the border with a Nexus card, even on a bus.

Beechdown is absolutely wrong. Read the Nexus thread here. Applications are being processed very quickly now and the delay in getting interview appt's is virtually gone as well. tkyoshi is wrong as well, with the new Nexus cards a passport is not required to be carried at all. In fact, I got my Nexus card this past summer and I have never held a passport.

I think someone needs to read better... OP said they do NOT drive, that means no drivers license hence no EDL. As for the approved non-driver ID that was supposed to be available when the EDL's were rolled out there is no sign of it yet which is exactly why I got my Nexus card. In fact, there is lots of speculation that it's been scrapped due to low demand for the EDL's. There have been less than 10k issued so far in the province, far less than they expected.

[tkyoshi]

Read the actual Nexus site. Yes, the Nexus card is an approved "replacement" for a passport for border crossing into the US. Yes you can cross the border with a Nexus card, even on a bus.

Beechdown is absolutely wrong. Read the Nexus thread here. Applications are being processed very quickly now and the delay in getting interview appt's is virtually gone as well. tkyoshi is wrong as well, with the new Nexus cards a passport is not required to be carried at all. In fact, I got my Nexus card this past summer and I have never held a passport.

I think someone needs to read better... OP said they do NOT drive, that means no drivers license hence no EDL. As for the approved non-driver ID that was supposed to be available when the EDL's were rolled out there is no sign of it yet which is exactly why I got my Nexus card. In fact, there is lots of speculation that it's been scrapped due to low demand for the EDL's. There have been less than 10k issued so far in the province, far less than they expected.

Well if that is the case then I apologize, there has been quite a few changes to the programs over the years.

It seems they have relaxed the rules a bit, previously you did need to update everything, and your passport number was printed on the card. In addition it was also documented that even though your NEXUS card expired in the future if you did not renew your passport info it would automatically be cancelled or you automatically got sent to secondary. Expired Drivers Licenses previously have also been known to get people sent to secondary.

So the information I gave I guess was correct but not applicable anymore, they don't really send existing members any updates on changes to policy, unless it is something they now require. OP you may still want to confirm with NEXUS as each issuing office may have different expectations. For example on the application it may not state that you need a Birth Certificate but some agents will request that a Birth Cert be on file and they will give you a 30 day grace or else your membership is terminated.

[IceBlueShoes12]

I'd consider getting the BYID card from the LCBO as a form of govt. ID regardless of the Nexus card.
But that's just me...

[mudd_stuffin]

In addition to the points made by others below, I recently called CBSA who indicated that the NEXUS card is NOT a valid piece of ID for a land crossing (other than the NEXUS lane)... That means you may be SOL if you are coming back into Canada at a land crossing and the NEXUS lane is closed.

Certainly, every CBSA agent has advised me that I should carry a passport together with the NEXUS card - so that is consistent with Tkyoshi says below. It may just be that one never checks the passport or CSK'smom has never come back to Canada at a land crossing when the NEXUS lane is closed, but a NEXUS card holder is supposed to have a passport at hand according to CBSA agents I have spoken with. The Nexus website says:

Note: You must possess appropriate immigration documents (e.g. a work permit or a visa) and identification documents (e.g. a passport or whichever proof of citizenship and photo identification you normally travel with) in addition to your NEXUS card. Your authorized period of admission to Canada depends on your immigration status in or citizenship of that country, and the same applies for the United States.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...5-eng.html#a02

So CSK'smom appears to be wrong in her info...

[CSK'sMom]

I'd consider getting the BYID card from the LCBO as a form of govt. ID regardless of the Nexus card.
But that's just me...

And exactly what is that going to do for the OP, or anyone else for that matter? It's not one of the 3 acceptable pieces of ID required to cross the border into the US.

tkyoshi, things have changed with the new chip cards. There are absolutely no variations in requirements between offices. The application is done online through GOES. A birth certificate number is required on the application. It's a fairly extensive application that goes through a regional US border office (Vermont in my case) for approval or denial before an interview can be booked. Basically at the interview it's just a matter of them verifying your ID, etc then taking a pic and fingerprints. The cards are now mailed and not issued on the spot. For the OP, with exactly the same circumstances as myself (don't drive, no vehicle, no passport) it's really straight forward and economically satisfies the US border ID requirements...

[CSK'sMom]

In addition to the points made by others below, I recently called CBSA who indicated that the NEXUS card is NOT a valid piece of ID for a land crossing (other than the NEXUS lane)... That means you may be SOL if you are coming back into Canada at a land crossing and the NEXUS lane is closed.

Certainly, every CBSA agent has advised me that I should carry a passport together with the NEXUS card - so that is consistent with Tkyoshi says below. It may just be that one never checks the passport or CSK'smom has never come back to Canada at a land crossing when the NEXUS lane is closed, but a NEXUS card holder is supposed to have a passport at hand according to CBSA agents I have spoken with. The Nexus website says:

Note: You must possess appropriate immigration documents (e.g. a work permit or a visa) and identification documents (e.g. a passport or whichever proof of citizenship and photo identification you normally travel with) in addition to your NEXUS card. Your authorized period of admission to Canada depends on your immigration status in or citizenship of that country, and the same applies for the United States.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...5-eng.html#a02

So CSK'smom appears to be wrong in her info...

As a matter of fact, a passport is not required to get back into Canada. Proof of citizenship should always be carried along with Nexus but that does not mean a passport exclusively. One's birth certificate is more than enough if a Canadian BSO wants more than one's Nexus card. Another fact, I have never, ever used a Nexus lane crossing either way. Hubby and boys have EDL's.

[mudd_stuffin]

As a matter of fact, a passport is not required to get back into Canada. Proof of citizenship should always be carried along with Nexus but that does not mean a passport exclusively. One's birth certificate is more than enough if a Canadian BSO wants more than one's Nexus card. Another fact, I have never, ever used a Nexus lane crossing either way. Hubby and boys have EDL's.

If the NEXUS card is the only ID you have with you and you do not use a NEXUS lane at a land crossing, you have been very fortunate. As I said, it is not supposed to be accepted by the CBSA as a valid travel document back to Canada.

[CSK'sMom]

If the NEXUS card is the only ID you have with you and you do not use a NEXUS lane at a land crossing, you have been very fortunate. As I said, it is not supposed to be accepted by the CBSA as a valid travel document back to Canada.

Did I ever say that a Nexus card is the ONLY piece of ID I carry or cross with? I DO NOT and NEVER have had a passport. Up until June 1st I crossed at least twice a week with my birth certificate and OHIP card. Both are always in my wallet. I now cross at least twice a week with my Nexus card and have not been asked for supplemental ID once coming back into Canada but it's always in my wallet.... Exactly the same scenario the OP has outlined.

By the way, all of this has been covered fairly extensively in the Nexus thread in this forum with a Canadian BSO posting in that thread.

[mudd_stuffin]

Did I ever say that a Nexus card is the ONLY piece of ID I carry or cross with? I DO NOT and NEVER have had a passport. Up until June 1st I crossed at least twice a week with my birth certificate and OHIP card. Both are always in my wallet. I now cross at least twice a week with my Nexus card and have not been asked for supplemental ID once coming back into Canada but it's always in my wallet.... Exactly the same scenario the OP has outlined.

By the way, all of this has been covered fairly extensively in the Nexus thread in this forum with a Canadian BSO posting in that thread.

No, you never said what you carried but I still stand by my statement that you have been fortunate - CBSA is not supposed to accept your NEXUS card at a non-NEXUS land crossing lane.

[i6s1]

No, you never said what you carried but I still stand by my statement that you have been fortunate - CBSA is not supposed to accept your NEXUS card at a non-NEXUS land crossing lane.

But they do. Every time. They are required by law to admit any Canadian citizen. You don't need a passport to get back into Canada, any proof of citizenship will do.

[mr_toast]

I'd consider getting the BYID card from the LCBO as a form of govt. ID regardless of the Nexus card.
But that's just me...

I don't know how getting a BYID card gets one across the border. Maybe into the LCBO, but...

Also, to the other repliers, I thank you kindly for replying, and I'm sorry this has turned into a (sort of) argument over whether a Nexus card really is acceptable for bus travelers. Since this is a fairly unique case, I might as well call the processing centers tomorrow.

I should've done that in the first place. Someone'll say that. Mark my words