Has anyone applied for this and if so, overall do you think it is worth (in terms of time and customs hassle) the cost and paperwork aggravation? I've pulled up to the border a few times and the Nexus line was either closed or just as long as the other lines. Granted, this may be the exception rather than the rule and since I will be flying to the US quite a bit in the future for business and pleasure I'm thinking of applying. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Nexus
- Thread starter Richard.TO
- Start date
Nexus is the best investment you could make if you value your time. The cost repays itself the first time you use it and save an hour of your time in those ridiculous long security and customs line-ups. Has saved me from missing flights/connections many times.
Go get one, application takes a long time to process then you need to do an interview. I found the Nexus lines almost empty most of the time, I am thinking of getting them for everyone in the family even though we do not use them a lot. There is also a benefit in some Canadian airports for a shorter security check line. I am not sure why they did it but I have walked right up to the front a few times passing many people standing in line. My guess on that is they assume you are a travel veteran and you will have everything ready to go. Maybe they also assume that since you are through the security process for Nexus you are low risk for domestic travel problems. Having it saved me twice so far, I would have missed flights home from both Ottawa and Montreal had I not been able to cut the line
I have been a Nexus card holder for four years and it is definitely worth the cost and going through the interview process. I find border crossing to be nearly seamless with a lot less hassle and I only visit Canada a few times a year.
If you cross frequently, get it.It's totally worth the time and hassle I save for the US immigration lineup at the airport.
Another perk (at Toronto Pearson terminal 1) is you can use the Nexus line at security when you're flying to Europe. Just take your card with you as they will ask to see it before they let you jump the line.
Another perk (at Toronto Pearson terminal 1) is you can use the Nexus line at security when you're flying to Europe. Just take your card with you as they will ask to see it before they let you jump the line.
Absolutely it is worth it.
If you will typically be crossing the Niagara River, I've never seen a line at the Whirlpool Bridge and even with having to cut between the QEW or General Brock Parkway and Interstate 190 it saves a lot of time. The same applies at the Champlain / Lacolle border port in terms of saving time.
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/land-terre-eng.html#where-ou - go down about half way
If you will typically be crossing the Niagara River, I've never seen a line at the Whirlpool Bridge and even with having to cut between the QEW or General Brock Parkway and Interstate 190 it saves a lot of time. The same applies at the Champlain / Lacolle border port in terms of saving time.
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/land-terre-eng.html#where-ou - go down about half way
Absolutely worth every cent! The NEXUS lines at border crossings can seem long at times, but they move so much faster than the other lines. I have seen waiting times at Blue Water Bridge of 45 minutes to enter the US whereas the NEXUS line took all of 5. I fly to Toronto regularly and find the NEXUS membership to be a huge time saver - especially when I arrive just after one of the wide body flights from Europe or the Middle East. Immigration lines can be very lengthy at Pearson so the NEXUS is a given for frequent travelers like me. Sometimes there is an overflow line upstairs in Terminal 1 Arrivals where they keep incoming passengers waiting until the lines in the immigration lobby ease up. If you have a NEXUS card you show it and bypass the waiting area entirely.
When you leave Terminal 1 at Pearson headed for the US or Europe, once you pass the NEXUS kiosk and hand your receipt to eh US Immigration Agent you show your card to the agent and you can use the NEXUS line to go through security as well. Another huge savings of time.
Do it!
The $50 NEXUS card is good for 5 years - only $10 a year. Seems worth it even for the occasional traveler.
Even if you don't. Besides the nexus lane, you get pre-screening at airports, automated customs clearance, and when you trans-fly through the US you don't need to wait in line to clear US customs just so you can jump on a flight elsewhere. Even at vehicle crossings, you have been pre-apporved for entry.
Yes, worth the $50 and a short interview even if you don't go to the use regularly.
I was just coming back from the US and they have a new card apparently for the airport TSA lines. They were randomly picking people out of the line to send them throough and show how it works(I didn't get picked). I'm going to look into it and report back.
I have been told to always have my passport even if i have my nexus card as the keystone cops ie US border guys, can demand (and have) to see your passport.
it is definitely worth it to get nexus, but don't think that it's a panacea
1 - you are still subject to secondaries
2 - it does not allow you to skip us tsa lines (that's an additional credential which you need to apply for, though having a nexus card makes it easier)
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
1 - you are still subject to secondaries
2 - it does not allow you to skip us tsa lines (that's an additional credential which you need to apply for, though having a nexus card makes it easier)
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
TSA and US Global Entry are included with nexus. Need to do it during the reservation process for TSA though.
Yes. There is a printable form, available online, that you complete, with a CC#, and deposit in a box past the inspector.
I typically go over the border for the day. When I come back, unless the lineup is looooooooooong, I will go through the regular booth. That way, you get the officers discretion, which is usually around $100, rather than paying the tax on the whole lot.
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