Flying back to the United States after an international trip might feel like the last step of the journey. But that's not the truth; the frustrating part is the long immigration line waiting at the airport. You are standing in a line that is barely moving and waiting for your turn to fill out the custom form.
For years, Global Entry has been the preferred choice for travelers to streamline the customs process. However, it’s not a traveler’s secret anymore, and with the increasing number of enrolled travelers, the once speedy lane is not so fast now.
The US Customs and Border Protection has been providing an option called Mobile Passport Control for decades, but it is still not very popular among travelers. The best part is travelers can complete customs before even landing, and it’s completely free.
If you have never used the MPC option before, then this blog is for you only. This guide will help you understand the MPC completely so you can use it confidently to breeze through your next customs at US airports.
What is Mobile Passport Control?
The Mobile Passport Control app is a CBP-authorized application that allows the travelers to submit their travel documents, photos, and customs declarations before they even face an officer. It was created to expedite the custom process and shorten the wait times at some of the US's busiest airports. The travelers do not require filling out the paper form or waiting longer in the standard lane to declare the passport or customs information. Instead, they can complete the entire process online and then join the dedicated lane.
To complete the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) process, you need to visit the customs and international arrivals area at the participating airports. Here you will find the dedicated MPC lanes near the standard U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection lines.
Who Can Use Mobile Passport Control?
Not all the passengers moving out of an international flight are eligible to use the Mobile Passport Control. Therefore, it’s important to understand whether you are eligible for the MPC before moving to join the dedicated lane. Here’s who can use it:
U.S citizens
Lawful permanent residents of United States (green card holders)
Travelers from “visa waiver” countries with a valid ESTA
Canadian B1/B2 visa holders
The program was designed with an aim to include maximum eligible travelers to make the process hassle-free at the airport. The Mobile Passport Control application does not require any membership fee, background check, or advance, which makes it different from other options and comparatively open to a larger number of travelers. As long as your passport meets one of the eligibility requirements, you do not have to participate in an interview or pay a fee.
How Does Mobile Passport Control Work?
The Mobile Passport Control process takes a few minutes to complete. The passengers can complete the entire process during their layover or before landing; it hardly takes five minutes. The process is divided into two parts. The first step is to be completed before landing, and the second step takes place at the airport.
Before You Land
Download the app: Get a stable Wi-Fi and download the official Mobile Passport Control app on your device.
Create a profile: Enter the passport details, including the passport number, nationality, and your photo, to create an account on the app.
Select Your Entry Location: As soon as the plane lands, you must open your app and select the mode of entry (U.S. Airport or Preclearance). Now, select the arrival airport and specify the terminal.
Fill out the form: Access the form on the app and fill out. The form includes the following questions:
Are you bringing commercial merchandise?
Is your foreign currency exceeding $10,000?
Are you bringing any food or agricultural item?
Are you bringing goods exceeding your duty-free exemption limits?
Are you bringing any prohibited item?
Take a selfie: Once you have completed the form, take a selfie through the app and generate a QR code and a timestamp.
At the Airport
Follow the signage: Look for the MPC Mobile Passport Control signage and reach the dedicated lane.
Approach the CBP officer: Get to the CBP officer and show the QR code or receipt generated by the app. You will also have to present your passport to the officer.
Complete formalities: Now, the officer will scan the code and proceed to confirm your identity. They might ask you a few standard questions.
Collect baggage: Once the process is completed, you are free to move to the designated carousel area to collect your luggage.
The declaration is completely made online, and therefore the officer tends to take less time. This is the reason why the MPC is faster compared to any other method.
How to Use MPC for Family Travel
The family trip does not differ much from the individual, but there are some points to keep in mind so that no one is left behind at the counter. Apart from the option to create multiple profiles under an account, the app makes it easy for one adult (or parent) to set up, manage, and enjoy the account without the hassle of every child sharing their own user profiles. Here is how Mobile Passport Control works in family travel:
One parent/guardian may add more parents, siblings and even grandparents as additional traveler profiles within a single sign-on.
Each family member also requires his/her own passport information because each is presented with his/her own passport, by the CBP, whether child or adult.
Families with children and infants walk together in the same lane as their adult family members instead of changing lanes to keep them in their own line.
It's good to get each family member's customs declaration form completed in advance as bigger families may have more to declare together and this will help to avoid queues at the customs cleared when you arrive.
If some of the family members are not eligible for Visa Waiver Program due to reasons such as visa holder, they will have to use the standard line while everyone else in the family is in MPC.
By grouping the family under a single profile, you will only have to manage a single login and one set of saved passport details.
Where Can You Use MPC?
The Mobile Passport Control available in 39 different airports in the United States and 14 international preclearance locations. And every year, this number is increasing to make the travel smoother and hassle-free.
U.S. airports with Mobile Passport
Anchorage, AK – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Atlanta, GA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Baltimore, MD – Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Boston, MA – Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Chicago, IL – Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver, CO – Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit, MI – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Fairbanks, AK – Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Honolulu, HI – Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
Houston, TX – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Houston, TX – William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Kansas City, MO – Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Las Vegas, NV – Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Miami, FL – Miami International Airport (MIA)
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
New York, NY – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Newark, NJ – Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Oakland, CA – San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Orlando, FL – Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Portland, OR – Portland International Airport (PDX)
Sacramento, CA – Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Salt Lake City, UT – Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Diego, CA – San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Francisco, CA – San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Jose, CA – Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
San Juan, PR – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Seattle, WA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
St. Croix, USVI – Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX)
St. Thomas, USVI – Cyril E. King Airport (STT)
Tampa, FL – Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Washington, D.C. – Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
International U.S. Preclearance Airports
United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Aruba – Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
Bermuda – Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
Canada – Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Ireland – Dublin Airport (DUB)
Canada – Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Canada – Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Canada – Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Bahamas – Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
Canada – Ottawa International Airport (YOW),
Ireland – Shannon Airport (SNN)
Canada – Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Canada – Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Canada – Winnipeg James A. Richardson International Airport (YWG)
MPC vs Global Entry
Both the program MPC and Global Entry are designed to get travelers through the airport faster. But they are quite different from each other, and understanding the difference between both programs helps the passengers to make the right choice. Let’s compare Mobile Passport Control vs. Global Entry through a table.
| Feature | MPC | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | There are no charges to use mobile passport control | The travelers will have to purchase a $120 five-year membership |
| Application process | None; download and use immediately | Online application plus in-person interview |
| Approval time | Instant | Several weeks to a few months |
| Eligibility | U.S. citizens, green card holders, and VWP travelers | U.S. citizens, green card holders, and select foreign nationals |
| Airport process | Dedicated lane, no kiosk needed | Requires Global Entry kiosks or automated gates |
| Renewal | Not applicable | Renewed every five years |
| Background Check | There are no background check required | The officials will conduct a background check before giving the membership. |
| Fingerprint | No fingerprint is require to enroll in the program | The member must provide the fingerprint to acquire the membership |
| App used | The traveler must download an app | There are GE mobile app for the travelers |
| Best for | This is the best option for occasional international travelers | If you cross the international border regularly, then Global Entry is the best choice |
What Are the Benefits of Using MPC?
In modern travel, waiting longer at the airport just to clear customs does not make any sense. There are many options available that expedite the process. And Mobile Passport Control is one of them. If you are still not using it, then see the benefits of the MPC program below:
No need to apply in advance. You can simply download the mobile passport control MPC app just before the landing and enter your details and complete the process in minutes.
There are no upfront application or renewal costs. The travelers can use it to expedite customs without being liable to pay any charges.
There is no waiting time for approval. Simply enter the required details, and you can proceed with customs.
It includes a wider traveler list with most visa waiver program countries.
The travelers can skip the standard customs lane and expedite the process due to the shorter lane.
MPC allows a single device to submit up to 12 profiles and custom declarations. It allows you to complete the customs of multiple travelers in one go.
The app saves the passport details. You do not require entering the passport details for every trip.
For returning passengers, the US Mobile Passport Control is one of the easiest and quickest ways to complete the immigration.
Tips for a Smooth First-Time Experience
The passengers are advised to prepare well before the trip. A little preparation always guarantees a better travel experience and kicks out the hassle from the trip. Here are some tips to consider:
Be sure to download the app and set up your profile at home, not at the airport. It is because the slow internet at the airport can take hours to upload a photo.
Always double-check the details you are entering in the form. The details must match the official documents.
If you have a connecting flight, make sure to verify that your final arrival airport supports the MPC program before relying on it for the entire journey.
The travelers are suggested to complete customs through the Mobile Passport Control app when they are about to land. It is because the digital QR code will expire in four hours once you submit the custom declaration.
The passengers are suggested to keep their phones fully charged and carry a portable battery. If the phone’s battery drains, they might have to move to the standard lane.
Conclusion
Mobile Passport Control is a convenient and efficient solution for eligible travelers to use when they return to the United States for customs clearance. It can be used by the user to submit their travel and customs declaration before arrival, which will considerably cut down waiting times at the airport. The membership is free, there is no background check or lengthy approval process and MPC is accessible for anyone, from U.S. citizens to green card holders. If you're looking for a hassle-free trip, the MPC app can simplify the customs clearance process and help you avoid long immigration lines, making your return home a lot more pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Mobile Passport Control is absolutely worth using. It is completely free, requires no prior application or interview, and can be completed just before landing in the United States. Travelers simply submit their passport and customs information through the app and can often use a dedicated Mobile Passport Control lane, helping them avoid the standard immigration queue and save valuable time.
The Mobile Passport Control is accepted at major airports in the United States of America. As of now, 39 airports in the US and 14 international preclearance sites support the MPC service.
Yes, the official Mobile Passport Control app gets the passengers quickly through customs. The app allows the passengers to submit the photos and passport details and fill out the customs form online through their phones and bypass the standard lane. You just have to enter the dedicated MPC lane because you have already completed half of the procedure before you land.
No, the MPC is not available only for the US citizens. It can also be used by U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and travelers from 41 visa-waiver countries.
Yes, you can skip the standard lane with a Mobile Passport Control. You will stand in a shorter lane dedicated only to the MPC program.
