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Nexus for Canada--worth it?

Posted by (Bay Area, California) on

Hi folks:

I have Global Entry and will travel to Vancouver in August, driving north from WA. I just wonder if Nexus is worthwhile for me. I don't have close family members whom I see regularly in Canada. Nor do I do business there. I do, however, fly Air Canada sometimes when there is a reasonable fare sale from the US to Europe. Of course, the timing and availability of such discount fares are totally random. Since the pandemic started, I have not seen any on AC, which used to offer free stopovers in Toronto for Europe bound flights from the US.

I already have GE and therefore just wonder if my family should spend $50 per head for Nexus:

  1. For entry into Canada, can we use the lane for Canadians at immigration? I think, in the US, Canadians can use the lane reserved for Americans.

  2. Is there a similar lane like Mobile Passport that can also be used for Americans?

Thank you!

Posted by
5429 posts

Pearson now uses either Primary Inspection kiosks or e gates for the majority of all arrivals with a passport, or the Nexus kiosks or e gates. E gates can only be used by those over age 16. Kiosks can be used by parties travelling together, to a max of 5 persons. Most Canadians don't bother with Nexus unless they travel between the 2 countries multiple times per year.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/border-tech-frontiere/who-qui-eng.html

Posted by
8876 posts

I absolutely love my Nexus card. There is something strangely satisfying about sailing past the lines of cars at the border to quickly pass through the Nexus Lane in just a few minutes. I signed up for Nexus and global entry and TSA precheck came with it.

The primary purpose for the Nexus card is to expedite land border crossings. If you don’t have many of those or don’t live near an interview location, it probably isn’t that important for you.

My sister has a cabin in Point Roberts, WA. This 5 square mile bit of the United States is surrounded on three sides by water and borders Canada on the 4th side. Anytime I visit her it involves 2 border crossings each way. Nexus is a lifesaver.

Posted by
1632 posts

CJean and Carol: thank you very much for your help and explanations.

Posted by
16269 posts

If you have GE, then Nexus is only beneficial for land border crossings INTO Canada. With GE, you can use the NEXUS lanes coming into the U.S. To expedite things, register your vehicle in your trusted traveler account online.

You will need to show your GE card.

Posted by
1632 posts

Thank you everybody.

I guess the decision is to evaluate how often I go to Canada and whether the extra time spent on attending an interview is worthwhile.

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