You may have been told you cannot use NEXUS as an F1 student; as a Canadian on F1 visa status who travels across the Canada-US border on a near-weekly basis – I’m here to tell you that you can absolutely use NEXUS – with a caveat: do not use the automated machines.
The reason some international offices advise against using NEXUS is because of the fear you’ll be accidentally admitted under an status that does not allow for study, such as B1/B2. This would be a bad thing, and can happen with the automated machines.
However, you can still use the benefits of NEXUS without the risk. I applied for, interviewed and was approved for NEXUS during medical school. I have a lovely US CBP agent who answered my many questions about using NEXUS while on F1 status.
Here’s how you can skip the line and use your NEXUS benefits at US preclearance locations in Canada while ensuring you enter under F1 status:
- Make sure you request them to add F1 to your NEXUS profile when you interview or at a later crossing.
- Skip the machines. Walk right past them, don’t even look at them. Join the line of people who have already used the machines and wait to see an agent.
- When you do see an agent at the NEXUS line, let them know you’re entering as an F1 student, hand them your I-20 and passport, and step back to have your picture taken.
- Check your I-94 every time you cross to ensure you’ve been admitted as an F1.
The I20 is essential – it MUST be inspected every time you cross into the US.
And that’s it! You can still take advantage of a much faster line while entering as an F1 with NEXUS.