Flying Internationally? Here’s What You Need To Know About The Mobile Passport Control App

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.

I’m a big fan of Mobile Passport Control and have been a loyal user for many years. It’s my entry expediting program of choice when I return to the U.S. from overseas and want to avoid long lines at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The program continues to expand. Currently, eligible U.S. citizens and Canadian citizen visitors can use Mobile Passport Control at 51 sites, including 33 international airports in the U.S., 14 preclearance locations and four seaports.

It’s available at two of the three airports near my home — New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the latter of which I frequent most — making it incredibly convenient for me to use.

At both JFK and EWR, Mobile Passport Control funnels me into the line for diplomats, providing the equivalent of VIP service for free. I was concerned and disappointed when it seemed like the service was being phased out in the past. However, it turns out it wasn’t the program that was changing, just the app to use it.

In fact, I find I can use Mobile Passport Control more frequently despite recent changes made to the app name and appearance.

The old version of the Mobile Passport Control app’s homepage. MOBILE PASSPORT CONTROL APP

According to a representative from Airside — the developer of the original Mobile Passport Control app — the blue and white airport pilot icon in both the Apple and Google Play app stores is now just a placeholder. When you click it, you’ll be directed to CBP’s MPC app.

New Mobile Passport Control App home screen. MOBILE PASSPORT CONTROL APP

Despite the change, this is still the Mobile Passport Control app. The only difference is it is now operated directly by CBP instead of Airside as of Feb. 1, 2022.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of Mobile Passport Control, it’s a free service that speeds up entry at select ports and airports nationwide. At its most basic level, it generates a digital version of the required customs form to complete on your phone and then generates a digital QR code to show at passport control.

The new app works the same as the previous version, according to CBP.

First, travelers download the CBP MPC app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. (Do this when you have Wi-Fi.)

Once they land in the U.S., there are a few steps to take.

“Travelers will select their arrival airport or seaport and terminal, take a self-photo, and answer a series of CBP inspection-related questions,” the CBP says. “Once the traveler submits their transaction through the app, the traveler will receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code. Travelers 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.”

Unlike Global Entry — which costs $100 for a five-year membership (and will go up to $120 soon) — Mobile Passport Control is free. It does not require travelers to apply or get approved (a process that can take up to 11 months for Global Entry, according to CBP).

Related: Chase follows Citi to increase Global Entry statement credits to $120 from October

One noticeable difference between the new CBP version and the original Mobile Passport Control app is that there is no paid, upgraded version. Previously, the Airside model had offered a paid version that stored your information so you didn’t have to reload it each time (as you did with the free basic offering).

My most recent experience with Mobile Passport Control indicates that my information (and that of my husband and son, whom I added to my app) is stored for future use; however, we still need to take a new photo every time we open the app when we land. It’s a small inconvenience compared to the time and money we save by using this simple app and program.

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