NEXUS?

[Moosker 7]

I'm considering getting a NEXUS pass, my Mom has one and says it was the best $50 she ever spent

My question is, I live in the Washington, DC area, but I fly into Buffalo. For those of you who have recently obtained a NEXUS pass, did you only have a certain amount of time to schedule your interview, and was there a specific location you were able to choose?

Also, how long does the "application process" typically take?

Thanks everyone!

[JlovesA 109]

My Nexus application was approved in about 3 weeks from what I remember. At that point you have to schedule an interview. You can schedule it anywhere you want. In my case, I scheduled it at Port Huron, MI. I was only given a certain date range but you can go back and change it. I was living in Nunavut at the time and wouldn't be down to Ontario in May, so I just kept rescheduling until the May dates became available.

Keep in mind if you want to use Nexus in "air mode" as they call it, IE while flying, you will need to schedule an interview at an office where they have the retina scanner. You NEED to have your retina scanned before you can use Nexus for flying. The website will tell you which ones have retina scanners.

Yes, it really was the best $50 I ever spent! I live on the border and use it when I cross....very quick and no hassling..yet!

[Moosker 7]

Thank you! Awesome advice...I want to plan it close to my Christmas trip home.

[JlovesA 109]

I would apply for it in early November or late October, just to give the application enough time to get done. I think I applied for mine in February or March so it's not a big deal if you just keep rescheduling your appointment (which you do online).

The interview was really easy and not really an interview, BTW. Mine was very informal. I sat down with someone else there (an American) and they talked about duty taxes, like how much stuff you can bring back, etc. Then they explained how to use the Nexus lanes at that particular border crossing (Port Huron, MI - Sarnia, ON). They took my photo, asked me why I wanted the Nexus, I confirmed my address and that was it.

I did get pulled into secondary inspection on the way over, though. It was a random check and they were nice about it because they knew they were making me late for my Nexus interview, haha.