NEXUS Pass FAQs

NEXUS Pass FAQsRead some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Nexus pass. If you have a Nexus question that is not listed here please use the form on our contact page.

How long is the Nexus pass valid for?
The Nexus pass is valid for 5 years from the date of issue after which time it must be renewed. You can download a simplified version of the government Nexus application form by using Immigration Passport Visa Service.

Where are the Nexus interview locations?
Your Nexus interview will take place at one of the NEXUS Enrollment Centers. You can choose the location that best suits you but if you intend on using the Nexus pass for air travel you must select a center that can do the required iris scan.

How do I update my new address with Nexus once my card has been issued?
You must update all contact details as well as any amendments or changes to your documentation e.g. new passport, driver’s license, permanent resident cards etc. If you receive a criminal conviction (other than a traffic violation) you must also inform Nexus. You can do this by visiting one of the Enrollment Centers.

How do I update my new passport with Nexus once my card has been issued?
You must update your new passport details by visiting one of the Enrollment Centers.

I have lost my Nexus card how do I apply for a new one?
You must call in to one of the Enrollment Centers and report your loss. There is a fee to reissue your card. You should not apply for a new card using the Nexus application because this will cancel your membership to the program.

My windshield was damaged and I need a new Nexus tag. How do I get one?
You should contact one of the  Enrollment Centers to report the damage and to apply for a new one.

Can one person fill out a Nexus card for the family?
Yes, this is not a problem if one person fills out multiple applications. If you file with Immigration Passport Visa you do not have to fill out every section of the application for every family member e.g. if you all live at the same address. If you apply online using the GOES system you will have to make a separate application for each family member and fill out every section – the average time spent filling out an online Nexus application is 1.5 hours so if there are quite a few of you it could very time consuming doing it yourself.

Is there a family application form?
No. Every member of the family must fill out a separate application form because Customs and Border Protection need to perform separate background and security checks on each person.

Do infants / children need a Nexus pass?
It doesn’t matter what age your child is – they can be a newborn infant but if you want them to travel with you using the Nexus lane they must have a Nexus pass. If you are traveling by car all occupants must be Nexus pass holders in order for you to use the Nexus lane. Likewise you can only use Nexus at an airport if you hold a card. Your infant will be given his / her own Nexus pass. You must fill out a separate application form and he / she must attend the Nexus interview with you.

I have a criminal conviction will I be denied a Nexus pass?
Immigration Passport Visa Service  have  many people applying for a NEXUS card with a conviction. Some of them got approved right away, others got denied and objected to the denial with the Ombudsman asking for a review of their application. There is always a risk. It’s up to you to decide if you want to take the risk. If you apply with us we’ll make sure that your NEXUS card application is properly filled and all requirements are met. 

How do I set up a PayPal account?

The process of setting up a new PayPal account is very easy and quick. Please follow the steps:

1. Go to our website and click the service you’re interested in:


2. On the service page, click the the blue Payment button. A new PayPal page will open.

3. On the right side of the screen click the “Create a new PayPal account”.

4. Fill in your personal and credit card details and click “Agree and create account” at the bottom.

5. You’re done. Once inside your account, please follow the instructions to complete the payment.

Can I get a refund, I do not want to apply for a Nexus card?
You can get a refund from IPVS if you have not submitted your application form or if you have just made the PayPal transaction and then changed your mind. If you have submitted an application form and you have received an email from us saying that it has been submitted we cannot refund your fee. If you would like a refund and have not yet received the ‘Application Submitted’ email, please email us at info@immigrationpassportvisa.com

What are the Nexus fees? Why must I pay with PayPal?
There are two fees that must be paid in order to apply for the NEXUS program:

1. IPVS service fee (paid through PayPal) for your application review, checks, processing and monitoring. The fee is $129.99 for the Regular service and $179.99 for the Premium service.
and 
2. Customs and Border Protection fee of $50, which is paid with the credit card you provided on the application form. This fee covers your background and law enforcement checks and is non refundable. 
 
How do I apply for a Nexus card?
There are two ways you can get a Nexus pass. You can apply for Nexus online with the government site known as GOES or you can download the IPVS simplified version of the Nexus application form and we will file it on your behalf. If you file online with the government you must ensure that you understand and answer all of the questions and that you provide detailed information, which can be supported by documents at your Nexus interview.

Can I reapply to Nexus if denied?
Yes you can reapply as many times as you wish but you must allow a full 90 days to elapse from the date printed on your denial letter. You should address the reasons why you were denied in the first place; if you have a criminal record you should get either a US waiver of admissibility or a Canadian pardon or in some cases both before you reapply. IPVS offer a 50% discount off our standard filing fee for Nexus denials providing you can give us your GOES ID and password. Click here to take advantage of this offer.

Where can I find a printable Nexus application form?
You can print off  a Nexus application form here and fill it in by hand. The form is a simplified version of the online form and much better for those people who hate online forms.

How do I book a Nexus interview?
If you applied for your Nexus pass using our services we will schedule your Nexus appointment for you at a time and date convenient for you. If you registered for Nexus online using the GOES enrollment system you must schedule your interview yourself once you have been conditionally approved. You have to keep checking in to your GOES account to see if your status has been changed.

Can I use my Nexus card instead of a passport?
Yes you can. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (the States and Canada are members) the Nexus card along with the enhanced driver’s license, SENTRI pass, FAST card for truckers (road travel only) and US passport card are recognized as acceptable equivalent documents to a valid passport. There have been noted incidents where border guards have asked to see a passport as well as a NEXUS card, but under US law brought in on June 1, 2009 legally the above documents count for travel between Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea.

Is it possible to get a Nexus pass for J1B visa holders?
No, you must be a Canadian or US citizen or permanent resident card holder and you must have lived in one or both countries for the last three years. Non-immigrant visas like the J1B will not qualify you as eligible for the Nexus card.

What are the Nexus interview questions?
The NEXUS interview varies between NEXUS enrollment centers but is similar to clearing customs at the airport. You will be asked many of the questions that you have answered on your NEXUS application form. Whilst this is frustrating you should answer the NEXUS interview questions politely and truthfully. The questions asked at the NEXUS interview are straightforward. Click here to read some of the frequently asked Nexus questions.

Can I re-apply for Nexus with a violation?
You can, but you will be denied Nexus again and again and again. The best thing to do is get a US waiver of admissibility and / or a Canadian pardon before re-applying.

What are the reasons for a Nexus denial?
The reasons for NEXUS pass denials are many and varied. Some reasons for being denied NEXUS revolve around applicant’s inability to complete the online NEXUS application form accurately and completely, others revolve around a criminal past or disqualification on the grounds of time spent in the country of residence. If you have been denied a NEXUS card and can provide us with your GOES ID and password, we will process your re-application for NEXUS for you at half of the cost of our standard NEXUS service.

What are the Nexus requirements?
NEXUS cards are given to low risk travelers, whose personal data has been subject to numerous checks by both US and Canada border officials and law enforcement agencies.  These trusted travelers have undergone a Nexus interview with Customs and Border Protection officers from both the US and Canada. If you are a permanent resident or citizen of the US or Canada you can apply for a NEXUS pass today. Click here to read the full list of Nexus requirements.

Do I have to update my Nexus info if I have a new car?
Yes. You can only cross the border in the vehicles registered with your Nexus application so if you have a new car you need to go to a Nexus Enrollment Center to update your information. Take the registration documents for the car with you.

What is the Nexus trusted traveler card?
This is another term used for the Nexus travel pass issued by the Canadian and US customs and border protection. It is issued to low risk travelers known as ‘trusted travelers’ because they have no criminal or immigration record and they qualify for the Nexus program in terms of their residence or citizenship status in either Canada or the US. . Click here to read the full list of Nexus requirements.

What happens after applying for a Nexus card?
Once your information has been submitted to the US and Canadian border authorities your details will be checked by law enforcement agencies in both countries. The information is also checked for accuracy and completeness against numerous other government databases to ensure that you really are the person you say you are on the application form. If you fir the Nexus requirements your application is conditionally approved and you must schedule an interview at one of the Nexus interview centers. Immigration Passport Visa Service can help you submit an accurate and detailed application form and schedule your interview for you. Click here to get started.

Is the Nexus pass an airport pass?
Nexus cards can be used for travel by land, air and sea between Canada and the United States, so yes it is an air pass card. If you intend on using your Nexus pass for air travel you must make sure you have had an iris scan at one of the designated Nexus interview centers. You cannot use the card at an airport if you are returning from a country other than the US or Canada.

What is biometric data?
Biometric data is collected at the Nexus interview. It is a way of using a person’s unique physical characteristics to validate their identity. Nexus biometric data consists of taking digital fingerprints, an iris scan if the pass is to be used for air travel and a facial photograph; this info is stored on your Nexus card along with the other details provided on your application form.  The process is non-invasive and takes a few minutes to complete. You can refuse to have the iris scan done but you cannot refuse the fingerprinting or photo.

How much does it cost to replace a Nexus card that isn’t working?
There is no cost to replace a NEXUS card that is not working at the lane. The NEXUS member should contact the Nexus Enrollment Center to report that the card is not working. The enrollment center will ensure that card is replaced.

Can a Nexus card holder cross with someone who does not have a Nexus card?
No. You cannot use the Nexus lane if the people you are traveling with do not have a Nexus pass. If you drop the non-Nexus card holders off before the border and you are caught your Nexus card will be revoked and you will never qualify for a new one because you have broken the trusted traveler rules. The best thing to do is use the ordinary lanes and encourage your friends and family to get Nexus !

How fast can I get a Nexus card?
We receive thousands of applications every week. If you would like us to prioritize your paperwork, please use the Premium Service and we will ensure that your information is submitted to CBP with a priority over the regular applicants. It may take between 1 and 3 months to receive a decision on your eligibility as a Trusted Traveler. Once you receive a decision you must book and attend a compulsory interview in order to complete the process. Premium applications are prioritized within the Immigration Passport Visa Service system over Regular applications to ensure a faster decision regarding your suitability as a Trusted Traveler.

Is a Nexus card a good idea?
If you want to fast track immigration and customs and avoid queues at the US Canada border then Nexus card is the perfect solution. Here are some more benefits:

Faster border crossing times even at peak periods
Dedicated NEXUS lanes to expedite travel and save long queue times
Faster border inspection time. Customs and Border Patrol estimate that it takes NEXUS card holders 10 seconds at the border
  guard’s inspection booth.
Fewer questions by border guards
Less stress when traveling with children

 

If you are concerned that there may be disadvantages to holding the Nexus card click here

Immigration Passport Visa Service does not guarantee approval for any Trusted Traveler program. Inaccurate or incomplete NEXUS pass application forms are automatically denied access to the NEXUS cards program.

Terms and Conditions

Please refer to our terms & conditions before purchasing IPVS services. By clicking the download link and paying the PayPal fees, you are agreeing to purchase a download pack or application form service from IPVS. Immigration Passport Visa Service (IPVS) is not a US government agency or related to any US government agency. IPVS is not involved in the processing of your US visa, trusted traveler program or passport. The PayPal fee you are agreeing to is the fee for IPVS services as a private company. There may be additional government fees to pay for the services you are downloading – these fees are explained on this webpage and within the application packs when you click the ‘Download Application’ button. We issue refunds under specific conditions. Check the terms & conditions page for more details. Please email us at info@immigrationpassportvisa.com with your refund request. IPVS is not accountable for any information given in the application pack, nor are we liable for any omissions or errors. The maximum liability for any circumstance will not exceed the purchase price.