Some US airports have long queues for immigration with queues of several hours not unheard of in certain airports at peak times. While I have written about the benefits of Global Entry before, not everyone wants to spend the time and money getting it if they only visit the US occasionally. However, there is another way that many travellers can skip the queues.
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is an app that allows eligible travelers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device. It’s available on Apple App store and Google Play. You can find the app (as well as the Global Entry App) on this official page.
The use of MPC streamlines the traveler’s entry process into the United States by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time. The good news is that you don’t have to be pre-approved to use MPC, you just need to download the app. Travellers who successfully use the MPC app will no longer have to complete a paper form and may be provided a designated queue which means you skip the main immigration line. Even if you don’t, it should take less time to process.
In this post:
Who can use MPC?
The MPC mobile app, is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and anyone who holds an ESTA who is returning. I read it as on the same ESTA as that is what usually applies to the returning ESTA queue. So, each time you renew, you will have to enter it once before you can use the app again. An ESTA is valid for two years. However, I’m happy to be corrected if someone knows otherwise!
Which airports/seaports can you use MPC at?
MPC is currently available at the following 51 sites, including 33 U.S. International Airports, 14 Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry:
- Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
- Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
- Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
- Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Houston William P. Hobby International Airport (HOU)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- Las Vegas Harry Ried International Airport (LAS)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Miami Seaport
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
- Palm Beach Seaport
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Port Everglades Seaport
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- San Juan Airport (SJU)
- San Juan Seaport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Shannon Airport (SNN)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Winnipeg James A Richardson International Airport (YWG)
How to use MPC
- Down the MPC Application from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Create a profile with your passport
- If you are using a Pre-clearance facility such as Shannon you must select their mode of entry in the application as “Preclearance” before selecting their departing Preclearance Port of Entry.
- If you are not using preclearance, once you have landed in the United States, you should select “U.S. airport” as your mode of entry and then select your arrival airport or seaport and terminal.
- Tr take a self-photo and answer the Customs inspection-related questions.
- Submit your transaction through the app.
- You do not need to complete any paper forms.
- You then bring your physical passports to a CBP officer.
It is worth knowing that you need a mobile phone service or Wi-Fi connectivity to submit your information, but you can complete your profile(s) without being connected to the internet. The majority of airports have free wi-fi now, so I’d suggest, if you don’t have data roaming, getting your application ready on the plane and then connecting to the wi-fi as you enter the terminal to submit it.
I have used the Global Entry App, which works in the same way by pre-submitting your information, and the transfer of info is instantaneous. It was only a short walk to the immigration queue from when I submitted it, but the officer had my information on his screen already. I have also heard examples of people using MPC very successfully with separate queues and cutting down waiting time.
Have you used MPC? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
35 comments
I queued at JFK T4 for 3.5 hours on Thursday before last. There were five offices dealing with all non-US arrivals. It wasn’t very clear if there was a MPC queue, hopefully yes. I had to go back the next day to have my GE interview as the interview-on-arrival centre was closed by the time I got through on Thu and, phew, what an awful experience that wait was…
Hi Michelle, One in three Brits have a criminal record that of course impacts this facility (even with a painstakingly acquired visa). Respectfully suggest an enormous area for TLFL to investigate and report in relation to travelling globally.
Please provide the source of your “1 in 3 criminal record” claim please
Truly hope that was an exception not normal wait time!
The officer remarked 3.5hrs was “a lot” but over 2hrs seems to be the norm. Newark the week before was 2.5hrs for a friend.
Thanks Michelle. I’m about to renew my ESTA, so will try using this MPC Application for my visit via JFK in October.
Cannot use it on first visit of that ESTA. ☹️
Used it many times. Great time saver. However at one airport they had GE and MPC in the same line and they were just calling forward the GE people as they just needed to confirm who they were.
What I don’t get is that they ask you the same questions. Any cash, food etc.
So is there a designated queue for MPC? I have not seen this before.
Also do I understand well that it only valid for ESTA holders that have visited before?
I hold GE but am taking my son in June who will be travelling on his first ESTA.
That adds a different dimension if you have to had visited previously on an existing ESTA. In my case I will be visiting on a new ESTA with my previous visit on an (by the time of my visit) expired ESTA.
I am part of a another group who are discussing this today and one traveller arrived at JFK yesterday as first time ETSA visitors from the UK and used MCP without trouble.
So some conflicting feedback.
There have also been comments here on people using it at JFK. Sometimes they don’t have all the lanes open or it could be different terminals maybe.
This looks great! But when I went to the CBP website using the link you provided, it said “The MPC mobile app, is available to U.S. citizens and Canadian B1/B2 citizens visitors. “ No mention of being able to use it with an ESTA.
That information is out of date – if you download the app it’ll also include “Visa Waiver Program travelers”.
Never seen this queue in the past four US trips to Denver, Miami and Chicago so I suspect it would be hard to find. Also haven’t been asked to complete a paper customs time for ages so not sure this will help much these days.
Arrived at JFK T8 last week hoping to use MPC. There was a MPC queue signposted but then the lady directing people at the front of the queue didn’t seem to know what MPC was and just sent any non US or Canadian passport holders to another queue which was irritating. Was then asked all the normal questions but the immigration agent. I think more training may be required!
TSA disabled all MPC QR code readers at JFK T8 recently. There is no more MPC. The signage still exists but a lady directs the people in the MPC line into a normal US/non-US line. AA and BA know this but they don’t bother.
So this isn’t open to U.K. citizens with a Tourism (B-2) visa – only people with an Esta?
According the official page it’s ESTA only.
Just back from Orlando. Arrived at Terminal C only 2 lines at border control one for US citizens and one for non. 45 minutes to get to front of queue – reentry on ESTA but no customs questions asked only took about 45 seconds to process.
Arrived with BA into the new terminal at MCO was off the plane bags collected and in car within 25 minutes. I was all set for an irritating long wait and I was blown away
What if you are a returning ESTA with a new passport (and new ESTA of course)?
If it is a new esta you can’t use it the first time as far as I read it from the official site.
Seems you can use one phone/app for all the family too.
Sorry, I don’t get it – you delay getting to the immigration queue so you can complete an App – and then have to wait in that same queue (but 50-100 people farther back than you could have been).
Unless there is a dedicated MPC line and desk EVERY time you go, it is completely worthless.
Not really. If you have data roaming you can complete it before you get off when you’d be doing nothing anyway. Then if there is a dedicated line it could save you a considerable wait. If not it saves you time when you get to the desk. If everyone did it lines would be much shorter!
I imagine very few Brits would have Data Roaming setup for when they arrive in the USA.
That would mean connecting to Airport WiFi once inside the Terminal.
The App would be great AS LONG AS there was that dedicated desk.
Probably easier to complete it once you reach the Arrivals Hall and can see if there is a dedicated desk – and then decide how long the standard queue is and if a time savings can be made.
WE have used this service at Tampa airport this year, we was through immigration in ten minutes, normal queues there are over an hour. I would highly recommend using the app.
Thanks for the info Nick. That’s good to hear!
Worked treat at SFO. No queue thanks
Just used MPC at Washington. FABULOUS. Separate queue. Only 6 people ahead of me and roughly 600 in the other queue. I was through in less than 10 mins. It was also a new ESTA. No problems.
That’s really useful info. Thanks Caroline.
Used MPC for first time when flying BA into JFK last Friday. Started form a couple of days before & waited to submit until landed, as per instructions on website. Whilst waiting to disembark aircraft took photos of 3 adult group members & submitted. There is a designated MPC lane which was quiet. GE holders in nearby lane allowed through first but delay fairly minimal. Border Agent processed us quickly & through to luggage collection. 20 mins to get through border control. Waited longer for luggage than border. Great first experience.
Thanks for the update. Sounds like it’s well worth using for JFK.
I am part of a another group who are discussing this today and one traveller arrived at JFK yesterday as first time ETSA visitors from the UK and used MCP without trouble.
Also seeing on here that MPC is no longer available at JFK despite the above, and what is written on the
So some conflicting feedback.
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