Lois Larson
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a mobile application that allows eligible travellers entering the United States to submit their passport and customs declaration information via their smartphone or tablet. It is available at 34 US airports, 14 international airports offering preclearance facilities, and 4 seaports. MPC enables travellers to use a dedicated, quicker customs line. Airports that offer MPC include San Francisco International Airport, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and New York City's JFK Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Expedite customs process at the airport |
| Eligible Users | U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 visa holders, returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA |
| App Availability | iOS and Android devices |
| Number of Airports | 34 U.S. airports, 14 international airports offering preclearance, 4 seaports |
| Cost | Free |
| Data Storage | Privacy protection firewalls; users can opt-out of storing data after each trip |
| Submission Validity | QR codes are valid for 4 hours |
| Group Travel | Users can add up to 12 people to a submission from one device |
| Speed | Significantly faster than the regular line |
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What You'll Learn
- Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is available on both Apple and Android devices
- MPC is operational at 34 US airports, 14 international airports, and 4 seaports
- MPC is not available at Detroit, Michigan, and Charlotte, North Carolina airports
- Las Vegas has been recently added to the MPC list
- MPC is available at San Francisco International Airport
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is available on both Apple and Android devices
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a mobile application that allows eligible travellers entering the United States to submit their passport and customs declaration information via their smartphone or tablet. It is available on both Apple and Android devices, and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
The MPC app enables travellers to use dedicated, often quicker customs lanes at 34 US airports, 14 international airports offering preclearance, and 4 seaports. This means travellers can avoid the long lines and speed up their interaction with customs officials. For example, MPC is available at San Francisco International Airport, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, and New York City's JFK Airport.
To use MPC, travellers must first create a secure profile in the app by scanning their passport or manually entering their passport details, as well as providing other personal information such as their name, gender, date of birth, and country of citizenship. This profile is saved in the app for future use and can be pre-registered before landing in the US. The app can store profiles for up to 12 people, allowing families or groups to stay together when speaking to a customs official.
When arriving in the US, travellers open the MPC app and select their arrival location. They then take a photo of themselves and answer questions about their trip and declarations. After submitting this information, travellers receive an electronic receipt with a QR code, which they present to a customs official to finalize their entry. The QR code is valid for 4 hours.
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MPC is operational at 34 US airports, 14 international airports, and 4 seaports
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a mobile application that enables eligible travellers entering the United States to submit their passport and customs declaration information via their smartphone or tablet and go through the inspections process using an expedited lane. The MPC app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
MPC is currently operational at 34 US airports, including San Francisco International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. It is also available at 14 international airports offering preclearance facilities and 4 seaports.
Some large airports that do not yet support MPC include Detroit, Michigan, and Charlotte, North Carolina. However, Las Vegas has been recently added to the list of MPC-approved sites.
Using the MPC app, travellers can create a secure profile with their passport information, name, gender, date of birth, and country of citizenship. They can also add up to 12 people to a submission, allowing families or groups to stay together when speaking to a CBP officer. The app provides a faster and more efficient way to clear Customs and Border Protection when returning to the US.
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MPC is not available at Detroit, Michigan, and Charlotte, North Carolina airports
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is an application launched by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2014. It allows eligible travelers to use a dedicated, quick customs line at U.S. airports or cruise ports. MPC is available at 35 U.S. international airports, 14 preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry. MPC is not available at all major airports, and travelers should check if their U.S. return and preclearance airport offers MPC.
MPC is not available at the following airports:
- Detroit, Michigan
- Charlotte, North Carolina
MPC streamlines the traveler's entry process into the United States by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time. Eligible travelers can submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through the MPC app on their mobile device. By submitting travel details through the app ahead of time, travelers can speed up their interaction with the CBP officer.
To use MPC, travelers must download the MPC app for Apple or Android and scan their passport. A self-photo and answers to a few questions about the trip must be submitted through the app. This submission is active for four hours, after which travelers must present their passport and enter the designated MPC line for inspection by a CBP officer.
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Las Vegas has been recently added to the MPC list
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a mobile application that enables eligible travellers entering the United States to submit their passport and customs declaration information via smartphone or tablet and proceed through the inspections process using an expedited lane. The MPC app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android devices.
MPC is available at 34 US airports, 14 international airports offering preclearance facilities, and four seaports. While large airports such as Detroit, Michigan, and Charlotte, North Carolina, are not yet on the list, Las Vegas has been recently added.
Using the MPC app, travellers can submit their travel documents, a photo, and customs declaration information securely and without fees or pre-approval. This allows travellers in a group to stay together when speaking to a CBP officer, instead of going up to the booth one at a time.
At the airport, travellers using MPC can expect to see designated signage for the MPC line. They will need to show their physical passports and speak briefly with a CBP officer to finalise their inspection. This typically results in a shorter wait time as MPC allows officers to process travellers more efficiently.
It is important to note that MPC is not a replacement for a valid passport and all travellers, including those using MPC, must still carry their physical passports when travelling internationally.
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MPC is available at San Francisco International Airport
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is available at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SFO is one of 34 airports in the United States to offer Mobile Passport Control express lanes in its Federal Inspection Area. The MPC app was expanded to include SFO in 2015.
MPC is a mobile application launched by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2014. It lets eligible travellers use a dedicated, often the quickest, customs line when they arrive at a US airport or cruise port. The app is available on iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
To use MPC, eligible travellers need to download the app and create a profile with their passport information, name, gender, date of birth, and country of citizenship. Upon landing in the United States, travellers select their arrival airport or seaport and terminal, take a self-photo, and answer a series of CBP inspection-related questions. Once travellers submit their transaction through the app, they receive an electronic receipt with an encrypted Quick Response (QR) code. Travellers then bring their physical passport and mobile device with their digital QR-coded receipt to a CBP officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States.
MPC is available to US citizens with a valid US passport and Canadian citizens with both a valid Canadian passport and B1 or B2 visa status. The app provides a more secure and efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the traveller upon arrival in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app enables eligible travellers entering the United States to submit their passport and customs declaration information via their iOS or Android device and access an expedited lane.
The app is operational at 34 US airports, 14 international airports offering preclearance facilities, and 4 seaports. Some of the airports include San Francisco International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.
First, download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Then, create a profile by adding your passport information and other personal details. Upon arrival in the US, open the app, select your arrival location, take a photo of yourself, and answer trip and declaration questions. Present the QR code you receive to a CBP official to finalise your entry.
