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Global Entry, Nexus, or Sentri?

IamNY

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2005
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I know what the differences for the above are, but I'm curious as to what would be your deciding factors over getting one or the other. For example, Global Entry costs twice as much as a Nexus pass but the Nexus pass does so much more, why is that?
 

Alexgr8t

New Member
Sep 12, 2011
4
0
1
Nexus is good for all land entry from into the US but for flights only between Canada and the US. Global Entry is good for flights from anywhere. Since I mainly travel between Canada and the US, then the lower Nexus cost made it my choice.
 
Jan 3, 2013
285
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Gotham City
Nexus is good for all land entry from into the US but for flights only between Canada and the US. .

Please correct me if I am wrong, but for U.S. citizens, I believe NEXUS comes with full Global Entry privileges when arriving from any country.

As far as I can tell, the main negative to NEXUS is you have to do an in-person interview with both US and Canada agents at one of a handful of locations - border crossings and Canadian airports. YUL, of course, is one of the airports. So this is probably not too inconvenient for MERBites.

I've found NEXUS to be incredibly useful at YUL for a number of reasons:

When Arriving - You bypass the regular immigration line (which can get pretty long when a Air Transat widebody arrives) and go to the NEXUS kiosks. After the kiosk, you usually don't have to speak to an agent or get a passport stamp. If you are in the regular line and have a few recent YUL stamps, you can get pulled aside for additional questioning.

When Departing - There is a dedicated line for NEXUS passengers which is shorter and at the metal detector it is like TSA Pre (can keep your shoes on, etc.) After the Global Entry kiosk, you do have to answer a couple of routine questions from the US immigration agent, but this has never taken me more than a minute or led to any additional questioning.
 

IamNY

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Dec 27, 2005
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Please correct me if I am wrong, but for U.S. citizens, I believe NEXUS comes with full Global Entry privileges when arriving from any country.

Yes, NEXUS does comes with full Global Entry privileges for U.S. citizens. I know some of my friends that were denied going into Canada for a DWI or something in their past. Maybe a Global Entry pass is something they can get but would get denied getting the NEXUS card.
 
Jan 3, 2013
285
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Gotham City
Yes, and you can get GE without even leaving NYC.

To get NEXUS you have to schedule an appointment several weeks in advance at YUL and make a trip there to do the interview. Good excuse for an extra visit to Mtl lol. You won't actually receive the card until a few weeks after that.
 

IamNY

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2005
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So with my new NEXUS card in hand I bypassed a bunch of people waiting in the normal lanes (plus) held up my card to be scanned (easy enough), then was asked several questions (more than usual) by the border agent. Same thing happended on the way back to NYC. Maybe my expectations regarding the ease of crossing the border were greater because of the background check, interview, etc. that I had to go through just to get the NEXUS card. I really expected to answer a couple of standard questions and be on my way.

I've read in a few different threads about being hassled at the border and answers typically given to questions. Maybe I should begin a new thread for this, but I'm curious other than flat out telling the border agents that I'm in Montreal to bang hot SP's and that's why I travel there so much, what would be a reasonable response to "why do you travel to Montreal so much" question?

I have no family, friends etc. in Montreal. My answer is usually going for a hockey game if one is on the schedule, or I really enjoy the city and come often. Curious to what other MERBite's say.

Thanks
 

johnybird

Active Member
Nov 5, 2014
652
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28
When you cross the border they'll almost always ask you the purpose of your trip, sometimes they'll ask you more questions and sometimes it's just a "where are you going? When are you coming back? Have a good time". They even do random checks from time to time (I've had my card for 5 years and haven't had a random check yet though) . Overall it's much faster then going in the Non-nexus line, especially when coming back from the airport. 9 out of 10 times I don't even see a border agent on my entry back to Canada, straight to the luggage :)

What's wrong with telling the agent that you really enjoy the city? That's the reason you come up right?

One thing about this Nexus card is always tell the truth, because they'll be asking you questions they already know the answers too & if you lie then say goodbye to your card. Something as simple as "What day and around what time did you leave?"
 

yikezz

Member
Jul 28, 2011
58
0
6
New England USA
If I remember correctly, I faced a lot of questions the first few times I used my Nexus card as well, but recently I have literally held the card out, rolled up to the window, been asked, "Do you have anything to declare?", said No, and been on my way in under 60 seconds... Going into CA that is. Coming back into the US is another story, usually, since the "Homeland Security" folks tend to be assholes.

Regarding the "why:" I will usually say either going to visit friends, going to hear some music (find someone playing in a club somewhere ahead of time if you want), or even, "I live in a rural area and just coming up to enjoy the nightlife." Seriously, having fun is not illegal, and feeling nervous when you talk to the border agents is a good way to get them interested in you...
 

IamNY

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2005
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Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. When saying I enjoy the city on my last trip they asked me why would I drive 6 hours to come up to Montreal. To that I just repeated that I enjoy the city. It was a little heated, but I kept my cool and just took my time answering the questions and always trying to give yes and no answers when possible. Going to hear music sounds like a pretty good reason to be in town. Too bad I can't say I'm late for a massage at LePenthouse and need to get moving. lol.
 

IamNY

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2005
3,403
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Thanks again for the terrific responses.
 
Jan 3, 2013
285
13
18
Gotham City
So with my new NEXUS card in hand I bypassed a bunch of people waiting in the normal lanes (plus) held up my card to be scanned (easy enough), then was asked several questions (more than usual) by the border agent. Same thing happended on the way back to NYC.

Waloo, I've only crossed the border once via car with my NEXUS card, but had a similar experience. Going into Canada @ Plattsburg, the lane was empty and because it was my first time I missed the scanner and went straight to the booth. This seemed to piss-off the Canadian border agent and he sent me for a search lol. This experience made me prefer flying up from NYC even more. Just curious if others with NEXUS usually get waved through.

I think a person gets a minor hassle 10 percent of the time, so I just put it down to bad luck, and it took all of two minutes to get through the entry process once I got to the booth.

Patron, do you have NEXUS or not? If you have NEXUS, how did you get sent to the booth? Did the kiosk say you have to go to the regular line?

Before I got NEXUS, I was sent for interrogation once at YUL. It wasn't a lot of fun and almost got caught in a white lie. Signed up for NEXUS that weekend lol. Now I just go from the NEXUS kiosk directly to the exit :)
 

johnybird

Active Member
Nov 5, 2014
652
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the Interview with Canadian Customs is so they can take an eye scan and fingerprints & they explain the rules to you. If you've reached the interview stage you are pretty much accepted.
 
Jan 3, 2013
285
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Gotham City
So are you saying that Nexus allows you to bypass all actual people at the airport when clearing Canadian Customs upon entering Canada? That sounds great. I wonder if a Global Entry person can get it automatically added with no further interviews and no more fees?

Yes, at least that's the current situation at YUL. I've had NEXUS for 1 year. In the first half of 2015, after getting your eyes scanned at the kiosk, you went into a special lane where you still had to see a customs officer. But for the past few months, you now bypass the customs officers and walk directly from the kiosk to the people-mover taking you down to baggage claim. At the exit from baggage claim u just show your nexus kiosk printout and they wave you through. So for anybody flying into YUL, NEXUS is highly recommended!

I would guess even for Nexus cardholders, there is a very low probability random chance the kiosk will spit out a paper saying you have to go to the regular line.
 
Jan 3, 2013
285
13
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Gotham City
There is an additional interview with Canadian customs, so it is probably not worth it for the infrequent visitor who enters through the airport.

You can do both the interviews (USA and Canada) at a room in YUL. The only issue is you have to schedule it several weeks in advance. Assuming you have a clean record lol, i would say its totally worth it if you can plan a trip via YUL several weeks in advance and schedule the interview at the same time. Takes less time to do the interview than you would wait in the customs line after a 747 arrives.
 

IamNY

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2005
3,403
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https://www.cbp.gov/faqs/how-do-i-add-nexus-my-existing-global-entry-membership

Found the answer to my question.

There is an additional interview with Canadian customs, so it is probably not worth it for the infrequent visitor who enters through the airport.

It is worth it if its not an inconvenience to travel to YUL or the Champlain. Interview process basically means your approved and you get interviewed by both US and Canadian border agents. That consists of a retina scan in Canada and being fingerprinted in the US. If done at Champlain, you actually drive over border for the retina scan after the interview in the US.
 

IamNY

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2005
3,403
1,985
113
NYC
Thanks all. Global Entry has certainly been worth it, so perhaps spending $50 to add Nexus would also be worthwhile if all they do during the interview is a retina scan and fingerprints. And if they did ask a bunch of questions a person can say he hates long lines or he is planning to visit a friend fairly often. I clicked through the links and got all the way to Pay $50 and hit cancel because I do not know the next trip date. Are the interview times easy to schedule at YUL?

Patron, technically you are cancelling your Global Entry card and you would be changing it over to a NEXUS card. Going forward your NEXUS card acts like both a Global Entry card for the US and a NEXUS card for Canada. Your Global Entry card gets deactivated and your preferred traveler # get transferred to your new NEXUS card. When you renew your card in 5 years you wouldn't have to pay $100 and $50 again, (that's what I did), going forward you only pay the $50.

As far as the interview times it was very accommodating and you have numerous dates and times to choose from.
 

tiannas

Relocated
May 24, 2013
742
14
18
46
Las Vegas, NV
Yes, at least that's the current situation at YUL. I've had NEXUS for 1 year. In the first half of 2015, after getting your eyes scanned at the kiosk, you went into a special lane where you still had to see a customs officer. But for the past few months, you now bypass the customs officers and walk directly from the kiosk to the people-mover taking you down to baggage claim. At the exit from baggage claim u just show your nexus kiosk printout and they wave you through. So for anybody flying into YUL, NEXUS is highly recommended!

I would guess even for Nexus cardholders, there is a very low probability random chance the kiosk will spit out a paper saying you have to go to the regular line.

I've had Nexus since the program's inception and have been using it at the Montreal airport for many years now. I've never spoken to an officer to re-enter Canada. I just take my paper form the kiosk and my declaration card and hand it to the exit guard on the way out. (I have been detained entering the US however.)
 

dbiz2

Member
Jan 16, 2016
82
2
8
USA
I've had Nexus since the program's inception and have been using it at the Montreal airport for many years now. I've never spoken to an officer to re-enter Canada. I just take my paper form the kiosk and my declaration card and hand it to the exit guard on the way out. (I have been detained entering the US however.)

I second the U.S. ICE problem. I have the enhanced driver's license and never had a problem with Canadian customs folks. Coming back the last time from Toronto, however, I got a serious third degree--and I'm an American citizen (after I said I had nothing to declare, the jerk ICE person asked me how much money I had in my pocket--with the current exchange rate, and not being charged international transaction fees, I ALWAYS use my credit card and convert some U.S. dollars to $100-125 CDN for transportation costs). I just became a NEXUS member but will be flying from Canadian airport to Montreal. Maybe the U.S. ICE people won't be so jerky this time around.

Who knows Ms. Tinna...maybe our paths will cross in Montreal ;) (oh yeah).
 

transatlantic

Active Member
Oct 29, 2013
570
155
43
Sex Prison USA
So with my new NEXUS card in hand I bypassed a bunch of people waiting in the normal lanes (plus) held up my card to be scanned (easy enough), then was asked several questions (more than usual) by the border agent. Same thing happended on the way back to NYC. Maybe my expectations regarding the ease of crossing the border were greater because of the background check, interview, etc. that I had to go through just to get the NEXUS card. I really expected to answer a couple of standard questions and be on my way.

I've read in a few different threads about being hassled at the border and answers typically given to questions. Maybe I should begin a new thread for this, but I'm curious other than flat out telling the border agents that I'm in Montreal to bang hot SP's and that's why I travel there so much, what would be a reasonable response to "why do you travel to Montreal so much" question?

I have no family, friends etc. in Montreal. My answer is usually going for a hockey game if one is on the schedule, or I really enjoy the city and come often. Curious to what other MERBite's say.

Thanks

Just tell them you love to dine on French Canadian cuisine. :D

Seriously, if they probe further just say you love poutine or Montreal smoked meat or French pastries and be prepare to name a few restaurants (Toque, Joe Beef, Schwartz Deli, Poutineville, Eggspectation, Tim Horton etc).
 
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