Detroit Airport: Mobile Passport Availability And Benefits

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has introduced the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app, which allows eligible travellers to submit their travel documents, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device. The MPC app is available for download on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and is not a replacement for a physical passport. Instead, it allows travellers to submit their documents ahead of time, reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait times.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Benefits of the MPC App

The MPC app reduces the time spent on administrative tasks at passport control inspection, resulting in shorter wait times and less congestion for travellers. It is available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Who Can Use the MPC App?

The MPC app is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travellers with approved ESTA. It is important to note that travellers using the MPC app are still subject to inspection and vetting.

How to Use the MPC App

After downloading the MPC app, users will be prompted to create a profile with their passport or LPR card information. Upon arrival at a preclearance location, users must select their mode of entry and their departing preclearance port of entry. If not using a preclearance location, travellers will select "U.S. airport" and then their arrival airport or seaport and terminal.

Travellers will then take a selfie and answer CBP inspection-related questions. Once all the information has been submitted through the app, travellers will bring their physical passport to a CBP officer to finalise their inspection for entry into the United States.

Additional Information

The MPC app does not replace a physical passport. Travellers must still present a valid U.S. passport, U.S. lawful permanent resident card, Canadian passport, or Visa Waiver Program passport to the CBP officer upon arrival.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC)

MPC is available to US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travellers with approved ESTA. The app can be used by US citizens and select non-US travellers at 53 sites, including 35 US international airports, 14 Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the latest location to allow the use of MPC, with the service going live on July 9, 2024. The Detroit Metro Airport is constantly looking for ways to innovate and allow faster processing of travellers. The use of MPC at DTW will streamline the traveller's entry process into the United States by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time.

To use MPC, eligible travellers must download the app and create a profile with their passport or LPR card information. Upon arrival at a preclearance location, travellers must select their mode of entry and their departing preclearance port of entry. If not using a preclearance location, travellers will select "US airport" and then select their arrival airport or seaport and terminal. Travellers will then take a photo of themselves and answer CBP inspection questions. After submitting this information, travellers will bring their physical passport to a CBP officer to finalize the inspection.

MPC mobile app

The MPC mobile app is a free application that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. It is a secure, mobile-friendly way for eligible travellers to submit their travel documents, photo, and customs declaration information. The app is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travellers with approved ESTA.

After downloading the app, users will be prompted to create a profile with their passport information at any time before arriving at a CBP facility. Up to 12 profiles can be created for family members, and a single household can submit a single MPC transaction.

Upon arrival at participating U.S. or Preclearance locations, travellers can take a selfie for every member of the travelling group and submit their information to CBP through the MPC app without completing a paper form.

The MPC program was originally launched in August 2014 and is currently available at 51 locations, including 33 U.S. international airports, 14 Preclearance airport locations, and four seaports of entry. In Fiscal Year 2023, MPC was used by more than 1.8 million travellers.

MPC provides a more efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the traveller. Since the administrative tasks are performed by the traveller before the passport control inspection, MPC reduces passport control inspection time and overall wait times.

MPC eligibility

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free, secure app that eligible travellers can use to submit their travel documents, photos, and customs declaration information. The use of MPC does not require pre-approval, and it streamlines the entry process into the US by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time.

MPC is available to the following categories of travellers:

• US citizens
• US lawful permanent residents
• Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors
• Returning Visa Waiver Program travellers with approved ESTA

MPC is available at 53 sites, including 35 US international airports, 14 Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is one of the latest airports to implement MPC.

MPC benefits

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is one of the latest airports to use Mobile Passport Control (MPC) for international travellers entering the United States. The MPC app is a free, secure, and voluntary program that allows eligible travellers to submit their travel documents, photo, and customs declaration information through their smartphone or other mobile device.

• Streamlined entry process and reduced wait times: MPC streamlines the entry process into the United States by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time. Travellers using MPC may experience shorter wait times and less congestion.
• Convenience and ease of use: MPC eliminates the need for paper forms as travellers can submit their information electronically via their smartphone or tablet. The app is available for download on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and users can create a profile with their passport information at any time before arriving at a CBP facility.
• Secure and efficient inspection process: MPC provides a more efficient and secure in-person inspection process for both CBP officers and travellers. Administrative tasks are performed by the traveller prior to the passport control inspection, reducing the overall time required for inspection.
• No pre-approval required: Unlike other trusted traveller programs such as Global Entry, MPC does not require pre-approval, background checks, interviews, or application processes. It is available to eligible U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travellers with approved ESTA.
• Group submissions: MPC allows for up to 12 travellers to be added under one group submission. This is especially convenient for families or households travelling together, as they can submit their information in a single transaction.

Frequently asked questions