NEXUS Enrolment Centre
Category: Hotels & Travel Travel Services Travel Services [Edit]
Vancouver International AirportLevel 3, US Departures
Richmond, BC
(604) 666-4598
4 reviews for NEXUS Enrolment Centre
4 reviews in English
-
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 1/24/2010
* This program keeps getting better! *
If you thought my previous review sounded like an infomercial, here we go again - it just keeps getting better!
There is a little known addition to this already wonderful program.
Yes, you already know you can use Nexus at many land border crossings between Canada and the US.
Yes, you already know you can use Nexus in Canadian airports (both to enter Canada and to clear US immigration on the way out).
Now some Nexus members get an added bonus of free membership in Global Entry for free! Yes, free.
What is Global Entry, you ask? It is a very similar program that operates in many international airports in the States (full list here: http://www.globalentry...).
The machines work slightly differently. Instead of doing an iris scan, you do actually need your passport to scan, and then they scan your fingerprints as well to confirm your identity. While the iris scan with no additional paperwork/card at the Nexus machines is definitely "cooler" this works equally well to skip the long immigration lines at US airports. Nifty!
The one hassle is that the Nexus offices in Vancouver can't handle the interview for this addition. You have to do it at one of those US airport locations. But it was very easy to schedule an appointment online.
The appointment itself took all of 20 minutes and now there are all these other airports that will be convenient to go through.
A bonus I haven't taken advantage of, since I don't need it, is that as a member of Global Entry you can also get a similar program for entry into Holland. It sounds like they are going to try to build up that style of partnership so that this will start to work in more and more countries around the world - brilliant!
The combined Nexus/Global Entry is still a bargain at $10/year. Totally worth it!
Keep it coming - I'm loving the new addition!Listed in: Travel is the spice of life
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/23/2009 First to Review
* I'm in love with a government program - WHAT?!?!?!? *
Ok, I have to say - I LOVE NEXUS! Yes. It… Read more »
-
-
Review from Katie F.
5/24/2009
I had no idea Nexus was even a reviewble thing on Yelp!
I freaking love Nexus too - so true, can you believe there's actually an awesome government program that's efficient - gasp!
Mark's post is awesome. My experience with it over the past year has been excellent. You have to go through an application process which can take a few weeks to months for processing, then you will have the option of doing your interview at one of the Nexus locations. I did mine in the US since it was a lot faster to get an interview there than in Vancouver/Richmond.
They'll go through the rules with you, snap your picture, and off you go with your shiny new card! (The permanent one arrives later). You'll have land Nexus immediately, and I added on Nexus air shortly after.
The big thing is that you need to follow the rules - they are very strict about it and will revoke your Nexus status if you don't. If you follow the rules, you'll be handsomely rewarded with fast access through the border - woot, short Peace Arch waits... can you say 20 mins or less even in peak times?
That alone is worth the fee, which is a bargain at $50 for 5 years.
They have these convenient books that you can use and drop off when you have stuff to declare coming back, which is automatically linked to your CC for any taxes/duties owing. I love the no-hassle approach with Nexus... it's unlike any other government program which is usually plagued with inefficiency! -
Review from Reena M.
12/14/2009
Nexus at the airport rocks! Super fast. Not too much hassle at all! Totally worth the $50. I should fly to the US more often!
Nexus on the ground... going in to the US is okay. Coming back to Canada is so complicated with the entire form thing to fill out. I'd rather go in the regular lines.
And what everyone else says. -
Review from James P.
Vancouver, BC
5/26/2009
i, too, love NEXUS... no more 3 hour lineups at the border... and of coz no more turning back... you even get a "have a good day, sir" as opposed to those "where are you going", "how long you gonig for", etc etc questions...
and it's totally worth the money... $50 for 5yrs... works out to be $10/yr...
this is very ideal for the frequent shopper... and this helps me plan my day trip to say Seattle... i know i'll be in Seattle in 3hrs, don't have to add in the waiting time which might turn a day trip into an overnighter...
