Picture this: you just landed at JFK after a 10-hour flight from London. You are tired, your back hurts, you just want to get home. And then you see it — the customs and immigration line snaking through the arrivals hall. Two hundred people ahead of you. Maybe more. It is going to be at least an hour.
Now picture this instead: you pull out your phone, tap an app, submit your declaration in 30 seconds, and walk to a separate, nearly empty line. You are through customs in 10 minutes.
That app is called Mobile Passport Control (MPC), it is made by US Customs and Border Protection, and it is completely free. Here is why you should download it right now.
What Is Mobile Passport Control?
MPC is the official app from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that lets US and Canadian passport holders submit their passport information and customs declaration electronically from their phone before they reach the inspection booth. Instead of filling out the blue paper customs form on the plane and standing in the general line, you use the app and go through a dedicated MPC lane.
Think of it as a lighter, free version of Global Entry — without the background check, interview, or $100 fee.
Who Can Use It?
- US citizens (including those with passport cards)
- US lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Canadian citizens visiting the US
- B1/B2 visa holders (at select airports)
If you are an American citizen, you qualify. Period. No application, no approval process, no fee.
How Does It Work?
Here is the step-by-step, and it genuinely takes less than two minutes:
- Download the app — It is called "Mobile Passport Control" by US Customs and Border Protection. Available on both iOS and Android. Make sure you get the official CBP app (there are knockoff apps that charge money — the real one is free).
- Create a profile — Enter your passport information, take a selfie, and save your profile. Do this BEFORE your trip, ideally at home with good Wi-Fi. You can add up to 12 travelers on one device (great for families).
- Submit your declaration — When your flight is approaching or after you land, open the app and answer the standard customs questions (same ones as the paper form: Are you carrying over $10,000? Any agricultural products? Etc.). Submit it.
- Get your QR code — The app generates a QR code receipt. This is your digital customs declaration.
- Walk to the MPC lane — At arrivals, look for the "Mobile Passport Control" signs. Show the CBP officer your passport and your phone with the QR code. Done.
Where Does It Work?
MPC is accepted at over 30 US airports and cruise ports, including all the major international gateways:
- JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia (New York)
- LAX (Los Angeles)
- ORD (Chicago O'Hare)
- MIA (Miami)
- SFO (San Francisco)
- IAD (Washington Dulles)
- ATL (Atlanta)
- DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth)
- SEA (Seattle)
- HNL (Honolulu)
- And many more — the full list is on the CBP website
MPC vs. Global Entry: What Is the Difference?
People ask this all the time, so let me clear it up:
| Feature | MPC | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $100 (5 years) |
| Application | Download and go | Background check + in-person interview |
| Speed | Faster than regular line | Fastest (kiosk, no officer interaction) |
| Includes TSA PreCheck | No | Yes |
| Eligibility | Broad | Requires CBP approval |
If you already have Global Entry, you probably do not need MPC (though it doesn't hurt to have both). But if you do NOT have Global Entry — whether because you haven't applied, you're waiting for approval, or you don't want to pay for it — MPC is the obvious choice. It is free and it works.
Why Don't More People Use It?
Honestly? Most people don't know it exists. CBP doesn't market it well, travel agents rarely mention it, and the name "Mobile Passport Control" doesn't exactly scream "download me." But the people who use it swear by it. The MPC lines at most airports are dramatically shorter than the general entry lines.
Pro Tips
- Set up your profile before your trip. Do not try to do it on the plane with spotty Wi-Fi. Have everything ready to go so all you need to do is submit the declaration.
- Add family members to your profile. One device can handle a whole family — you do not need a phone per person.
- Submit your declaration after you land (or shortly before). The QR code is valid for 4 hours. If you submit too early, it may expire before you reach the booth.
- Make sure your phone is charged. If your phone dies, your QR code dies with it. Bring a portable charger on international flights.
- Look for the MPC signs. At some airports, the MPC lane is not immediately obvious. Ask an airport employee or CBP officer if you can't find it.
The Bottom Line
Mobile Passport Control is free, takes two minutes to set up, and can save you an hour or more every time you re-enter the United States. There is literally no reason not to have it on your phone. Download it, set up your profile, and forget about it until you need it. Future-you, standing in a nearly empty customs line while everyone else waits, will thank present-you.
The app is called Mobile Passport Control, by US Customs and Border Protection. Available on the App Store and Google Play. Free.
You are welcome.