Save Time at Customs with Mobile Passport

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Key Takeaways:

Mobile Passport Control app speeds up U.S. customs by allowing electronic submission of CBP forms, avoiding lengthy lines.
Free and accessible for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, excluding Global Entry’s costs.
Despite underuse, the app offers a valuable, no-cost alternative for travelers to efficiently navigate customs at 33 U.S. airports.

How Can Mobile Passport Control Speed Up Customs for US Travelers?

Travelers entering the United States often face long lines at customs. However, a solution that has been available since 2014 but is still underused could make your customs experience significantly quicker: Mobile Passport Control. This free app is accessible for download on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, offering a hassle-free way to save valuable time at customs without any upfront costs or interviews.

Save Time at Customs with Mobile Passport

What is Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control is an innovative app designed to allow travelers to submit their Customs and Border Protection (CBP) forms electronically. This app offers a streamlined experience for entering U.S. borders, positioning itself as an effective alternative to the more commonly used Global Entry program. Unlike Global Entry, which costs $100 and requires an in-person interview, Mobile Passport Control is entirely free and can be set up right from your smartphone.

“On any given day, you might see a 30-minute line for customs, and most of the people that are standing in that line are eligible for the Mobile Passport Control line, which is sometimes only a couple of people at any given moment,” says Sean Cudahy, an aviation reporter at The Points Guy.

Who Can Use Mobile Passport Control?

The Mobile Passport Control is widely accessible to several categories of travelers. These include:
– U.S. citizens
– Lawful Permanent Residents
– Canadians with a B1/B2 visa
– Permanent citizens of the 41 countries included in the Visa Waiver Program who have been to the U.S. before

This extensive list makes the app usable for a variety of travelers who frequent U.S. borders.

How Does Mobile Passport Control Compare to Global Entry?

Global Entry is known for its efficiency, allowing travelers to bypass CBP officers and directly use a kiosk. “Nothing is as fast as Global Entry,” says Cudahy. “You get off the plane, go right to a kiosk, it recognizes your face, and you’re on your way in a matter of seconds.”

Mobile Passport Control, while also efficient, still requires travelers to interact with a CBP officer, albeit in a significantly shorter line. Additionally, Global Entry is available at twice as many U.S. airports compared to Mobile Passport Control and includes TSA PreCheck access for its members.

Why is Mobile Passport Control Underused?

Despite being available since 2014, the app remains underused. According to a CBP press release, only 4 million travelers used Mobile Passport Control in 2023, compared to over 10 million travelers who either enrolled in or renewed their Global Entry memberships in the same year. However, Mobile Passport Control still offers an effective way to cut down on waiting times without the associated costs and interview procedures of Global Entry.

How to Use the Mobile Passport Control App?

Here is a step-by-step guide to using Mobile Passport Control effectively:

Download the App: Before your trip, go to Google Play or the Apple App Store and download the Mobile Passport Control app.
Open the App After Landing: Once your flight lands in the U.S., open the app and select the airport you have arrived at.
Add Travelers: You can add up to 12 travelers from your household into one submission, making it extremely efficient for families. Each traveler needs to scan their passport, enter personal details, and fill out the customs declaration forms.
Submit Forms and Take a Selfie: After filling out the forms, put the phone on airplane mode and take a selfie as prompted by the app.
Head to the Mobile Passport Control Line: Follow the signs for Mobile Passport Control to the shorter customs line, where a CBP officer will scan one traveler’s passport to pull up all your group’s information.

Tips for First-Time Users

Download Early: Download the app before your trip to avoid any connectivity issues upon landing.
Familiarize Yourself: Spend some time getting familiar with the app before your journey. Play around with it to understand its features, but only submit forms when you’re ready.
Coordinate Selfies: Ensure everyone knows that they will need to take a selfie once the plane lands, making the process smoother.

Why Choose Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control stands out as a cost-effective solution for occasional international travelers. For those who do not travel frequently enough to justify the $100 Global Entry fee and the hassle of an interview, Mobile Passport Control offers a comparable level of convenience without any associated costs.

“When you see that short line next to rows of travelers in the regular customs line, you’ll be glad you’re in on this underrated hack,” says Cudahy.

External Resources

For more detailed information on Mobile Passport Control and to check eligibility, visit the official CBP website.

Conclusion

While Global Entry continues to be the gold standard for speeding through U.S. customs, Mobile Passport Control offers a practical, free, and easy-to-use alternative for those who travel internationally less frequently. Available at 33 major U.S. airports, this Customs App is a valuable tool for saving time at customs, allowing travelers to skip the long lines and make their way through CBP more efficiently.

As per VisaVerge.com, leveraging such innovative solutions can dramatically improve the travel experience, simplifying the process without the need for costly applications or time-consuming interviews. So next time you plan to travel internationally, don’t forget to download Mobile Passport Control on your smartphone. You might find yourself breezing through customs with ease, leaving those long lines far behind.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms

Mobile Passport Control (MPC)
- An app developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows travelers to submit their customs declarations electronically, enabling a quicker passage through CBP lines at designated U.S. airports.
Global Entry
- A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that provides expedited entry for pre-screened, low-risk travelers, featuring benefits like the use of automatic kiosks upon arrival and TSA PreCheck access.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- A U.S. federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including immigration laws and border protection.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
- A program allowing citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
TSA PreCheck
- A U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program that expedites security screenings for low-risk travelers at American airports, letting them use special lanes and keep on shoes, belts, and light outerwear, and leave laptops and compliant liquids in their carry-on bags.
  These definitions aim to assist readers in understanding specialized immigration terms quickly and accurately.

This Article In A Nutshell:

Mobile Passport Control speeds up U.S. customs by allowing travelers to submit CBP forms via a free app. Available since 2014, it reduces wait times, offering a faster alternative to standard lines. Just download the app, fill out your details, and head to the shorter, designated line.
— By VisaVerge.com

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