Imagine you just landed at Denver International Airport, your patience is waning, and you need to get out of the airport. So, you pull out your phone, tap an app, submit your declaration in 30 seconds, and walk to a separate, nearly empty line. And, 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 free .
What Is Mobile Passport Control?
MPC is the official app from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that lets US and Canadian passport holders with B1/B2 visas, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Visa Waiver (ESTA) travelers 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 Global Entry "Light" which is without the background check, interview, or $120 fee.
Who Can Use It?
- US citizens (including those with passport cards)
- US lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Canadian citizens visiting the US with B1/B2 visas
- Visa Waiver travelers using ESTA
If you are an American citizen, you qualify. No application, no approval process, no fee.
How Does It Work?
Here is the step-by-step, and it 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 (other apps charge money, but the real one is free).
- Create a profile — Enter your passport information, take a photo of yourself, and save your profile. Do this BEFORE your trip, ideally with good Wi-Fi or Cellular Service. You can add up to 12 travelers on one submission (which is 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. (Do keep in mind that the profile can be completed without Wi-Fi or Cellular Service, but you need coverage to submit it.)
Where Does It Work?
MPC is accepted at over 30 US airports and cruise ports, including all the major international gateways.
MPC vs. Global Entry: What Is the Difference?
| Feature | MPC | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $120 (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 — either because you haven't applied, you're waiting for approval, or you don't want to pay for it then MPC is the obvious choice. It is free, and it works.
Why Don't More People Use It?
Most people don't know it exists. CBP doesn't market it well. But at the end of the day, the MPC lines at most airports are shorter than the general entry lines.
Suggestions
- 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 profile can handle a whole family, so you do not need a profile 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.
Bottom Line
Mobile Passport Control is free, takes two minutes to set up, and can save you time when 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 use it when you need it.