Global Entry / NEXUS (Travel between US and Canada)

I know that not to be true. American citizens can enter Canada by land or sea with a photo ID, proof of citizenship that could be a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization, and evidence that you'll be accepted entry into your onward destination. It's the American CBP that require a passport or WHTI-compliant document. If an American citizen showed up at the Canadian border with an un-enhanced drivers license and a birth certificate, they may be turned away because they Americans might not accept them back, not because the Canadians require a passport. Since the GE card is a WHTI document, and thus proves citizenship and eligibility to reenter the US, it stands to reason that it would work, but I can't find a definitive source or a firsthand report.

As I said, I don't have time to request a passport card, and am not interested in doing so anyway if the GE card will serve my purpose.

Has anyone a reliable source or firsthand experience using a GE card to enter Canada by land?

You will not be able to enter Canada by land using your GE card as far as I know. You will need to have either your passport, passport card or any other document proving your US Citizenship.
You will be able to use GE card to enter US.

This might be helpful: http://www.globalentry.gov/faq.html#28

Yes, yes, I've read all of that. Nothing there states that the GE card cannot be used to enter Canada, only that it cannot be used in the NEXUS lanes, which I'm happy to skip. CBSA make no mention of it either way. Just looking for a definitive source or a firsthand anecdote here.

Call CBSA and State Dept. that will be your definite source

Do you have a number I can use? Seems like a logical route to me. No need to call the State department as US CBP are clear that it is sufficient for reentry.

you can probably google for their website.

This has more info: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/admiss-eng.html#s1

In here are the general numbers: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/general-generaux-eng.html

How long does the interview process take? Trying to figure out how long to schedule myself on the ground.

I think it can depend on the centre. I did my Nexus in Toronto a couple of years ago ... had a scheduled appointment. Of course with the delay in getting to me and the time for the Canadian and US discussions and paperwork it took < 1 hour from the time I got there to the time I was done... YMMV

Took 3 of us about 20 minutes to do our interview with US and Canadian offcer at Whirlpool Bridge plus another 20 minutes to get an iris scan for 3 of us. My son had problems keeping his eyes open

Quick recap of my interview. I chose Detroit due to scheduling reasons. Would have rather taken the family to Niagara Falls. My flight landed a few minutes late, but Hertz Plat had my car pulled up as I walked through baggage claim. Easy ride downtown in the pouring rain, and I was 30 minutes early for my interview.

They took me early, asked me a few general questions, then a bunch of questions about what I do for a living. They were kind of amused about the MegaDos.

The agent asked me if I wanted to be enrolled in Global Entry. 30 seconds after I said yes, she had enrolled me and put the sticker in my passport. One 7-minute video later, and I was on my way. Side note, it's a not-so-lovely area of Detroit. Guess that might be redundant.

Anyway, was done so quickly, I hauled ass back to the airport. I asked Hertz if I could just leave my car in the parking garage and have them come get it. They happily obliged. I ran all the way to the gate and caught a flight 4 hours early. Total time on the ground was 2 hours and 23 minutes.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

Now you are ready for the next MegaDO

You got a GE sticker? I was told they discontinued those several months ago. Oh well. Even without GE sticker, I had no problems going through GE lines. Wait..... There are no lines

Did you get your Iris scan also to make it easier to enter Canada by air?

IS YYZ the only airport location I can get NEXUS done by the looks of it? Hoping to avoid having to rent a car to get that part completed.

Can you please clarify your questions? Are you talking about Nexus Iris scan or something else?

I did get a GE sticker. I did not get an iris scan, as Detroit does not have that. They said I could get it the first time I enter Canada via air.

You are in ORD, IIRC? Here is the list of enrollment centers. So Toronto would be the closest to you -- also only the Cdn locations have IRIS technology.

Did my NEXUS interview in Montreal airport 2 weekends ago. CO had a special weekend fare to there, and a check of the possible interview sites showed an available appointment in Montreal on the Monday morning. So, flew up for the weekend, had my interview and iris scan on Monday. They told me I’d get my card in 2-3 weeks, and it arrived that Thursday! Activated it online right away. I also like the snazzy envelope they provide for it.

I’m already GE, but signed up when it started, so never got a card, as they weren’t doing that then. On my way back into the country from HKG this past Monday, I stopped by their office to request one, as a backup. They reiterated that the card only works between Canada and Mexico right now, but that it might be the key for the Trusted Traveler security fast lane if and when that ever happens. We’ll see if it arrives this Thursday, like NEXUS did.

Had hoped for Halifax, where I’ve never been, because it has the easiest availability, but CO never offered any weekend specials there. Montreal was otherwise 2 months out, as was Toronto and Vancouver. Just a lucky confluence of events for me.

Welcome aboard, Pizza!

Yeah I am pretty much ORD based, so I am not worried about the GE enrollment, but the NEXUS part has me curious, as I would like to have before i go to Niagara as I have no problem flying into somewhere for fun just to do it. Is the iris scan required ffor the full enrollment or could I end up getting that at a later date.

You can get the iris scan at a later date. Confirmed this 2 days ago during my enrollment.

Correct. Iris scan can be done anytime after enrollment and interview.

How long should my initial review be until I find out if I get denied/approved? Has anyone here been denied?

Did you apply for GE or Nexus? Nexus is about 4 weeks and GE, I heard reports for under a week.

NEX with the free GE. Should they confirm seperately? I worry I could have checked the wrong country of birth, even though i checked it like 3times and googled.