Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Passport Control

Waiting in a long line after a tiring day of travel is not how anyone wants to end a trip. Immigration and customs authorities have long sought a more efficient solution to this bureaucracy. One of them is the Mobile Passport Control (MPC), a program developed to expedite immigration and customs screenings at selected airports and ports.
What is mobile passport control?
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduced the Mobile Passport Control app in 2014. Qualified travelers can use the app when returning to the U.S. after an international trip at more than 50 designated entry ports. The app streamlines re-entry into the U.S. after the traveler submits the necessary travel documents (passport, photo, and customs form) online. Those using the app do not need to fill out a paper customs declaration form and have access to a specific Mobile Passport Control (MPC) line, usually with a much shorter wait time and faster processing.
What is the difference between mobile passport control and Global Entry?
The Global Entry program has a similar goal — to reduce wait times in immigration and customs lines — but unlike Mobile Passport Control, the program requires pre-approval. Enrollment is granted after a personal interview at a designated enrollment center or in the international arrivals area of some U.S. airports.
If you choose to schedule an interview, be prepared to wait weeks or months for an appointment. Enrollment in Global Entry costs $100 and the membership is valid for five years. On the other hand, Mobile Passport Control is free, does not require pre-approval, and does not expire. You will still have to fill out customs forms (unlike Global Entry), but this can be done directly from your phone. Even if you already have Global Entry, it is still worth downloading Mobile Passport Control to use if the MPC line is moving faster.
Who is eligible for mobile passport control?
U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens with a B1 or B2 visa, and travelers from the Visa Waiver Program are eligible for Mobile Passport Control. Eligible participants can add up to 12 people to their profiles and submit everyone’s information from a single phone, making this an efficient option for families as well.
How does the Mobile Passport app work?
Before traveling, download the Mobile Passport Control app (on iPhone or Android) to your smartphone or other device. Once installed, create a profile for yourself and anyone else in your group before the trip in the “travelers” tab.
After arriving at your destination in the U.S., open the app and click on “new submission.” Then, select your mode of entry (airplane or cruise ship) and the entry port from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) location dropdown list. Next, add yourself and any other qualified group members traveling with you and answer the questions for you and your group. Once at the airport or port, follow the signs and look for a designated MPC line. Have your passport ready and your MPC receipt visible on your phone to show to a CBP officer.
Source: Daily Passport