Speed Up The Customs Process With Mobile Passport
Travelers who use smartphones for flight check-ins, seat changes, upgrades and more may often wonder: Wouldn’t a mobile passport expedite the customs process?
There’s now an answer to that question. Mobile Passport Control (MPC) and the Mobile Passport app allow Americans and Canadians to move through customs much more quickly when entering the United States. You’ll still need a hard copy of your passport, but no longer will you have to fill out a hard copy of the customs declaration form.
See below to learn more about how MPC works, who is eligible and where MPC is accepted.
How Mobile Passport Control Works
Traditionally, people moving through customs at U.S. ports of entry have presented their passports to customs agents along with a completed declarations form. MPC makes it possible to present a passport with a digital copy of declarations using the Mobile Passport app — which speeds up the process significantly.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of MPC, first download the Mobile Passport app. There’s no preapproval required, and the app is completely free to download and use. Once you’ve downloaded the app, follow the prompts to create a profile. You’ll be asked to complete a profile that includes your:
- Name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Citizenship
Then, when you’re planning to travel internationally, create a “New Trip” within the app. To create a New Trip, you’ll be asked to enter your arrival airport and airline, take a photo of yourself and answer a series of customs-related question. Submit your New Trip, and you’ll be given a digital receipt with a QR code. Finally, present your passport and your QR code to a customs agent.
The Mobile Passport app works on most smartphones and tablets, and it provides the level of information security that travelers demand. Your information is never shared with third parties, QR codes expire after 4 hours, and users have the option of storing data on their own devices and deleting it once finished.
Where Mobile Passport is Accepted
MPC isn’t available everywhere just yet. As of now, MPC is up and running at 24 airports and one sea port of entry. Here’s a list of the 24 airports where you can take advantage of MPC:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta 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)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- William P. Hobby Houston International Airport (HOU)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Port Everglades (PEV) in Fort Lauderdale is the only sea port of entry where MPC is available.
Keep Tabs on Travel Developments and Innovations
New mobile passport capabilities are only a small part of the ever-changing travel landscape. At JTB Business Travel, we are the corporate travel agency that helps companies save money while also creating smooth, efficient experiences for travelers. We also keep you up to date on the latest developments and innovations from across the industry — mobile passport capabilities and much more.
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