NEXUS Card

[a and m 2]

Over the last year our cross border (USA/Canada) relationship has had me make roughly 35 car border crossings so when I received my NEXUS card from US Border Patrol, it was a welcome relief from the lines of cars on each side. I feel blessed however because we, at least, can visit each other by vehicle and have only missed 3 weekends in the last year. I feel bad for those of you who cannot.

As my fiancee and I plan to start our visa journey for her to move here, we will want to get her a NEXUS card so we/she can easily travel to visit her family, so I am wondering if we need to do this now while she is still in Canada before we start the visa process...some questions -

1: She will need to secure the NEXUS from Canada before she emigrates yes?

2: The NEXUS process takes several months..if there is overlap will that raise problems with either? (i.e....NEXUS application is in process but not complete when we start the visa process or vice-versa)?

3: Will she need to get a US based NEXUS card after the Visa is granted and she is a USA resident?

Thanks All!

[hikergirl 277]

She doesn’t need to secure the NEXUS prior to moving. However, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to get it now.

Being a Canadian, I applied on-line through the GOES system the same as you. My interview was actually with a Canadian and US Border Agent. That’s how they do it at my crossing, I’ve heard it can be different at other crossing/NEXUS centres.

There is no problem with the overlap, she will just need to keep them updated with her name change, etc. For me, I changed my name, ordered a new passport and then brought my marriage certificate and passport to the NEXUS office to do the update. Keep in mind that she shouldn't do this at a border crossing until she has AP (advance parole) as she is not allowed to leave the US until she has it. I know some centres you have to travel out of country to get to the office. She can do it at one of the centres that is completely within the US though.

The NEXUS cards are all issued through the same office. No need to re-apply after moving. Our cards came from the US if I remember right.

Good luck on your VisaJourney!

Edited April 3, 2013 by hikergirl

[a and m 2]

Thanks for the info HikerGirl! My interviews were exactly like that (in Niagara).

One question though - While we are going through the Visa process she can still cross on a travel visit unless I am mistaken...I understand the AP restriction once she is here on her visa (I also understand that it should not be an issues if we pursue IR-1/CR-1 as I think we may...)

She will likely get it while still in Canada though before we start the Visa process

Thoughts?

Edited April 3, 2013 by a and m

[hikergirl 277]

Thanks for the info HikerGirl! My interviews were exactly like that (in Niagara).

One question though - While we are going through the Visa process she can still cross on a travel visit unless I am mistaken...I understand the AP restriction once she is here on her visa (I also understand that it should not be an issues if we pursue IR-1/CR-1 as I think we may...)

She will likely get it while still in Canada though before we start the Visa process

Thoughts?

I’ve flown down twice since I got married with no issues at all.

I do bring proof of ties to Canada with me every time though just to cover my butt (lease agreement, letter from work saying when I’m expected back, school registration for my kid). Also, I brought my NOA1 with me as well so I could show we were using the proper method to be together.

If you do get married and do a new petition, I wouldn’t recommend getting married in Ontario. Recently there have been delays and screw-ups with the marriage certificates that I’ve seen on VJ.

I got married in Georgia and the probate court there allows you to hand carry the signed off marriage licence back to them and get the licence registered right away. Plus a certified copy - was really handy. They may have a similar system near you.

[a and m 2]

Sound advice. Thank you for sharing it.

[NikLR 13,227]

I'm gonna get a nexus card for the little one so that she can visit easily. The less she has to do while coming to visit mommy the better!

AGH! Custodial papers... We don't have those. We just plan on sending back and forth the travel consent forms. Problem?

Edited April 3, 2013 by NikiR

[a and m 2]

Having it has made my border stops (almost) rolling stops

Plus in both countries, the officers in the NEXUS lanes are nice - you are treated as a "trusted traveler" just as the program is named...not as a suspected wrong-doer.

[hikergirl 277]

I'm gonna get a nexus card for the little one so that she can visit easily. The less she has to do while coming to visit mommy the better!

AGH! Custodial papers... We don't have those. We just plan on sending back and forth the travel consent forms. Problem?

We have no formal document giving me custody either.

I applied as her parent and I brought a letter to the NEXUS centre from him giving me permission to apply for a NEXUS card on her behalf.

Not sure how things work with an unaccompanied minor though.

[a and m 2]

so sorry NikiR...I missed your question in there.

I hope it works out well as hikergirl suggests

[NikLR 13,227]

We have no formal document giving me custody either.

I applied as her parent and I brought a letter to the NEXUS centre from him giving me permission to apply for a NEXUS card on her behalf.

Not sure how things work with an unaccompanied minor though.

So I could write a letter saying he can get the NEXUS card? Should it be notarized? We are planning on sending her with travel consent forms, and I can send him some when he wants to take her on trips. We figured out that custodial papers would be joint custody anyhow, and we would need travel consent forms anyways, so why spend the 1k on lawyers. We can't be the first or only people in the world who live in different countries with a minor child. She seems okay about travelling, just a little nervous about having to sit next to a stranger. With United I would pay an extra $150 per trip for an unaccompanied minor. I wish WestJet flew to Denver.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I started my application for my card in the middle of my journey. Since my Nexxus card has been tentatively approved pending my interview, my status has changed to Permanent Resident of the U.S. So, I called them to be sure that I could continue with my interview and next steps. They said all I had to do was bring my updated info (CR-1 visa and green card) to my interview and they'd make the necessary adjustments to my documents on file.

In addition to that, I just completed applications for my children as well. So their online applications already included the necessary details of our visas and such.

The officer I spoke to on the phone was very helpful. I just explained that I made it through the immigration process faster than anyone had anticipated so I needed to change my status on file. Now I'm just waiting to attend my interview in a few more weeks.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I'm gonna get a nexus card for the little one so that she can visit easily. The less she has to do while coming to visit mommy the better!

AGH! Custodial papers... We don't have those. We just plan on sending back and forth the travel consent forms. Problem?

The officer I spoke to told me to bring a letter from my ex husband stating that he gives the kids permission to enroll in the Trusted Traveler Program. It doesn't have to say that I have permission to travel with them or anything like that. Just that he is aware they are enrolling in it. Not even notarized, just include a phone number in case they need to call him. That's what I was told on the phone anyway.

[NikLR 13,227]

okay awesome. I'll do that for him. I just enrolled her online. And myself. I have a feeling that mine won't be done by the time I move but I can cross my fingers. I wonder what will happen if I move while this is going on... Guess we'll find out.

We did talk to a lawyer about travel and custody paperwork. He would need sole custody for her to be able to travel without consent forms. I'm not willing to do that, so we'll just do the consent forms. I'll have them notarized and sent to him when he needs to travel with her and she can bring one with her when she's travelling to see me. As far as I can tell, you get a special security pass to go to the gate with the child and wait until they board the plane. If you can't due to airport regulations, they have an airlines representative that watches the child until they are boarded and turned over to flight attendants She'll most likely be travelling on United since Westjet doesn't fly to Denver. In Denver there is a special area for unaccompanied minors on United flights with TV, books, etc... I've looked up the rules for most of the airlines I would book her on and it's pretty much the same. I think the only trepidation she has is sitting next to someone she doesn't know. Her father is accompanying her on the first flight here so she knows the general idea. She's never been to the Denver airport before and him with her will help. Then they can ask all the questions they need to as well so she feels more comfortable. She can read or play on her iPod. It's only a 3 hr flight maximum and I wouldn't book her anything that wasn't direct.

[hikergirl 277]

okay awesome. I'll do that for him. I just enrolled her online. And myself. I have a feeling that mine won't be done by the time I move but I can cross my fingers. I wonder what will happen if I move while this is going on... Guess we'll find out.

We did talk to a lawyer about travel and custody paperwork. He would need sole custody for her to be able to travel without consent forms. I'm not willing to do that, so we'll just do the consent forms. I'll have them notarized and sent to him when he needs to travel with her and she can bring one with her when she's travelling to see me. As far as I can tell, you get a special security pass to go to the gate with the child and wait until they board the plane. If you can't due to airport regulations, they have an airlines representative that watches the child until they are boarded and turned over to flight attendants She'll most likely be travelling on United since Westjet doesn't fly to Denver. In Denver there is a special area for unaccompanied minors on United flights with TV, books, etc... I've looked up the rules for most of the airlines I would book her on and it's pretty much the same. I think the only trepidation she has is sitting next to someone she doesn't know. Her father is accompanying her on the first flight here so she knows the general idea. She's never been to the Denver airport before and him with her will help. Then they can ask all the questions they need to as well so she feels more comfortable. She can read or play on her iPod. It's only a 3 hr flight maximum and I wouldn't book her anything that wasn't direct.

I wasn’t sure how old she was so I was concerned with her ability to use the NEXUS kiosk at the airports.

But they do a run-through with you when you get your iris scanned.

[NikLR 13,227]

So I could just contact them if I get my visa before I get my NEXUS card? It's still pending review and so is my daughter's but her father will have to finish that off most likely.