NEXUS is meant for low-risk travelers who travel frequently between the United States and Canada.
A conditionally approved Nexus Application means that your application has been approved pending further CBP review via the interview with NEXUS.
If your application has been conditionally approved, you would need to schedule an appointment using the online GOES application.
The actual appointment date can be beyond the 30-day period. For example, the scheduled appointment date can be several months from now, as long as it is scheduled within 30 days of the conditionally approved date.
If you are a foreign national wanting to enter the United States on a temporary or permanent basis, you would need an entry waiver. There are other situations which apply to whether you need a US Entry Waiver. Find out below:
Do you meet the Following?
If you have a criminal record with multiple convictions OR if you have a criminal record with a crime of moral turpitude (CIMT), you need to apply for a US Entry Waiver prior to travelling.
A crime of moral turpitude includes crimes like:
*These are not all of the crimes of moral turpitude, but they are the most common ones.
If you have not gotten caught by the US Department of Homeland Security or the Border Services of either country, you may have tempted fate, but it does not mean that you will be as lucky next time. To avoid future bans and restrictions, it is best to cease travelling to the United States and apply for a US Entry Waiver as soon as possible.
Most US Entry waivers are valid for five (5) years. However, sometimes it is not always the case. If you are a non-immigrant and you are applying for the first time, you will likely have a US Entry Waiver that is valid for one (1) year. Sometimes US Entry waivers are only valid for six (6) months. Other US Entry Waivers are valid for 2-3 years. The validity period will differ depending on your specific situation.
One of the first steps in the US Entry Waiver process is getting fingerprints taken by the RCMP. Once your fingerprints are submitted on a specific form (The form is known as a C216-C form), all documentation must be dated and endorsed by the RCMP within 15 months of submitting your US Entry Waiver form (online or by mail).
If your US Entry Waiver is denied, you will always have the right to appeal the decision, and in some cases, you may be given the chance to reapply. If you have been issued a Removal Proceedings Order (RPO), you can also renew your US Entry Waiver request before an Immigration Judge, and if the Immigration Judge denies your request, you can also appeal the decision. You should always remember that you have multiple options available. Some options may not be listed here and will be specific to your news. Contacting Canadian Document Services will ensure you have the right information at your disposal, before you decide that you have reached your last option.
It is recommended that you renew your waiver 12-18 months BEFORE it expires. Instructions for the US Entry Waiver renewal are the same as the initial process, although additional requirements may apply. Processing times for US Entry Waivers are shorter.
Processing times will vary from case to case. Generally speaking, applications are processed within 4-6 months of filing your application. Sometimes this processing time is shorter, sometimes it is slightly longer. Sometimes the delay is not with the Board that processes your application- but with other Federal Agencies that require further background information and security checks. If you have applied for a US Entry Waiver previously, your new US Entry Waiver application will take a shorter length of time to complete.
If you are an American citizen and you have a past criminal record, you may need to file an application under the Canadian Rehabilitation process.
In general, temporary residents and applicants applying for permanent residence are considered to be criminally inadmissible if you have been:
This section will help you determine if you are inadmissible if you have ever been charged, discharged or pardoned.