passports ?

[KeithG]

Nexus isn't the same thing as the passport card OP was talking about. The passport card is a passport, not something you get on top of a passport, and takes the place of a passport in limited situations, sort of a "passport lite." But it's not related to any of the "trusted traveler" programs and doesn't get you access to things like the special limited screening lines, in fact of no use for air travel.

i just learned something new. yes, Nexus is really a "trusted traveller" card more than it is a passport.

but it can be used in some cases instead of a passport. likely why i incorrectly merged the 2 concepts? this last weekend we travelled to Boston and the only people who wanted to see our passport was the airline checkin agent. everyone else both ways (customs, immigration, TSA, boarding gate) were happy with our Nexus card.

is there a US card equivalent to Nexus?

 

[t4e]

Submitting a valid passport card with your passport book application is considered a "renewal", which will get you out of the requirement to prove your citizenship with certified copies of your birth certificates etc. But it won't save you any processing time by the US Passport Agency. New and renewed passports and passport cards share the same processing time... normally 6 weeks, or 3 weeks if you pay for expedited service. That's not counting time in the mail going both ways. You can expect to pay about $200 per passport book if using expedited service. More if you opt for overnight mail.

Good luck and get busy!

woow....6 weeks?

i handed in my application on monday, i had the passport on friday (the posted processig time is 10days, never took that long), and that is regular service, for $110 fee you get it on 24 hours...yeey for Canada

 

[Damselfish]

Looks like Nexus is a joint US/Canadian program so I suppose the equivalent would be Nexus. The main US program for the customs/immigration side is "Global Entry", in which assorted countries and programs can participate or have reciprocity. Nexus is one of those programs, which is why your card works here.

Then there's a program in the US called TSA precheck, which gets you into the faster no-shoes/belt/computer security lines, which you automatically get if you're in Global Entry or Nexus. I don't know if there's a way to actually apply for that by itself without being in one of the other programs.

The whole thing is kind of a confusing mishmash...

 

[oldschoolto]

I have more Frick government IDs then I know what to do with...And everyone is only good for one thing.. Government I'd card only works in some places..TWIC card only at cargo ports and is not Any good with customs or boarder crossings.. VA card only good with VA... Carry permits only good for some states and then in New York you need a state and if you go in to NYC you need a city permit..

A passport card that's good to travel on a boat but not a plane ? Gotta love it.. Like I need more IDs.. hell what's a another 400 bucks to go diving.... Good thing I'm made of money..

Jim...

 

[t4e]

I have more Frick government IDs then I know what to do with...And everyone is only good for one thing.. Government I'd card only works in some places..TWIC card only at cargo ports and is not Any good with customs or boarder crossings.. VA card only good with VA... Carry permits only good for some states and then in New York you need a state and if you go in to NYC you need a city permit..

A passport card that's good to travel on a boat but not a plane ? Gotta love it.. Like I need more IDs.. hell what's a another 400 bucks to go diving.... Good thing I'm made of money..

Jim...

so a passport will be the cheaper choice after all
afaic its a lot of money grabbing system
if you're not canadian citizen and cross the US border by land you have to give fingerprints, and pay for it, every 3 months, if you want to fly to US you need a different paper, more fingerprints and money, but at least is good for 2 years