How to use the Mobile Passport Control app
The Mobile Passport Control app by U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an easy and fast solution to ease the long wait at passport control when returning from an overseas trip.
The app can be downloaded from the Apple App store and Google Play and is remarkably easy to use. It puts you in line with diplomats and airline crew and can speed up your wait at border control to just minutes.
We used it for the first time returning from Spain to JFK Airport in New York City and passing passport control in 5 minutes.
Signs pointing travelers to the Mobile Passport Control line at JFK airport in New York City
How does Mobile Passport Control work?
After downloading the Mobile Passport Control app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, you will be asked to create a profile with your passport information.
When you land in the United States, you’ll select your arrival airport, take a selfie using the app, and answer a short series of inspection questions. Once completed you’ll receive a QR code in the app.
Signs will direct you to the line including diplomats and airline crew members, much shorter than the regular U.S citizen line. You’ll then bring your physical passport and phone with the QR-coded receipt to the checkpoint for inspection.
Is Mobile Passport Control different than Global Entry?
Although Mobile Passport Control has some similar benefits to the Global Entry Program, they are not the same.
Global Entry requires an online application, a $100 application fee (which might be covered by your credit card benefits), a background check, and an in-person interview at your nearby airport.
The advantage of Global Entry is that upon entry back to the United States you interact only with a kiosk and breeze through the process. It’s absolutely the fastest method to clear the passport check.
You can think of Mobile Passport Control as “Global Entry lite”. It’s free, easy to complete and there really is no reason not to use it on your next trip.
Where can you use the Mobile Passport Control app?
Customs and Border Protection has been expanding the program and recently even added locations in Canada - Montreal and Toronto Preclearance locations.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
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)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami Seaport
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
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)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Jose International Airport (SJC)
San Juan Airport (SJU)
San Juan Seaport
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
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