Nexus - can I skip some airport lines?

January 29, 2019 9:43 AM

I need to complete some visa paperwork at YVR airport next week. Can I use my Nexus pass for some (but not all) of my journey?

I am a Canadian citizen, Canadian resident, and Nexus passholder. Next week, I am going to the US and I am going to apply for a working visa at the port of entry. I intend to remain a Canadian resident and work periodically in the US.

I don't need immigration advice, this is a procedural question on when I can use Nexus.

I can't use Nexus and I have to take the slow lane to pre-clear customs at YVR airport, this is obvious as I am going to secondary inspection.

However, what I cannot figure out is:
1. Can I use the Nexus lane to bypass the regular security line at YVR airport and rejoin the slow lane once I've cleared security?
2. Am I eligible for TSA pre-check for my flight home, is my Nexus status in Canada still good? I will not have time to go to Blaine to update my Nexus paperwork with a work visa before I return home.
3. Can I use my Nexus card to clear Canadian customs in YVR airport? My status in Canada would be unchanged when I return.

posted by crazycanuck to Travel & Transportation (2 answers total)

Best answer: So I am not a lawyer, just a fellow NEXUS pass holder.

Overall you do need to update your info, in person, after you get your visa per the CSBA:
"NEXUS members must report to an Enrolment Centre to update or change other information including:
...
Changes to work visas or study permit information"

So that's a big PITA. You can't do it online like when you renew your passport.

But they don't say anything explicitly that I can find on CBSA or USCBP that your Trusted Traveller status becomes invalid with a change in visa status. That said, I've never tried it. So I think you should be OK.

for #2 this is for sure not a problem as TSA Pre has nothing to do with your work visa status and your trusted traveller number/known traveller number remains the same.

You could always stick your head in the NEXUS office at YVR and ask in person.
posted by GuyZero at 10:03 AM on January 29, 2019

Best answer: Question 1: You can definitely use your nexus card to enter the nexus security line and then go to whichever customs line you want on the other side of security. The security people just look at your nexus card (not scan) so they'll have no way to look up or validate your visa status.

I know this because nexus cardholders can take a guest thru security but not through customs. These guests rejoin the regular customs line after security.
posted by some chick at 10:24 AM on January 29, 2019