Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to use Mobile Passport Control at US ports of entry
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that lets eligible travelers enter their passport, photo and declaration details before arriving at a participating U.S. port of entry, then finish their inspection with a CBP officer in a designated line. [1] It needs no enrollment application, no background check and no fingerprint enrollment. [1]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- MPC is free and open to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved ESTA. [1]
- Travelers can submit their details up to 4 hours before landing by air, or up to 8 hours before arriving at a land border port of entry, and one device can cover a group of up to 12. [1]
- The app replaces the paper declaration form, but not the passport, an ESTA or any other required travel document, and travelers still speak to a CBP officer. [1]
- Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership and includes TSA PreCheck; MPC is free but TSA PreCheck is not included. [1] [2]
Who can use Mobile Passport Control?
CBP uses the MPC app to streamline the processing of eligible travelers entering the United States. [1] The app is available for Apple and Android devices, and passport information scanned into it is saved for future trips. [1] CBP describes MPC as a useful option for travelers who do not qualify for a Trusted Traveler Program, or who are still waiting for approval for one such as Global Entry. [1]
Eligibility is set by CBP rather than by the airline or airport. The app is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved ESTA. [1]
How do you use Mobile Passport Control step by step?
- Check that the port participates. CBP advises travelers to confirm that their U.S. return airport, preclearance airport or land border port of entry offers MPC. [1]
- Download the app and scan the passport. The app is offered for Apple and Android, and the scanned passport details are stored for later use. [1]
- Submit arrival details inside the time window. Travelers take a self-photo and answer questions about their arrival and declarations up to 4 hours before landing, or up to 8 hours before arriving at a land border port of entry. [1] A submission stays active for 4 hours in the air environment and 8 hours in the land environment, and it can be sent from the plane, at the airport or before a pedestrian crossing. [1]
- Add everyone on one device. Up to 12 people can be added to a single submission, so a group can stay together instead of approaching a booth one at a time. [1] Travelers can also declare items in the app and, at land border crossings, apply and pay for a provisional I-94. [1]
- Finish with a CBP officer. In the customs arrival area, travelers take out their passport, enter the line marked with MPC signage and complete their inspection with an officer. [1] A confirmation photo must also be taken for final verification, in addition to the self-photo in the app. [1]
CBP says the wait can be shorter because the submitted details let officers process travelers more efficiently, and that document information and answers to inspection questions go directly to CBP using secure encryption protocols. [1]
Where is Mobile Passport Control available?
CBP listed the following coverage as of 30 September 2026. [1]
| Site type | Number of sites |
|---|---|
| U.S. international airports | 37 |
| Preclearance locations | 15 |
| Land border ports of entry | 4 |
| Seaports of entry | 4 |
| Departure locations | 3 |
| Total | 63 |
MPC was deployed for eligible pedestrians at selected land border crossings on 20 April 2026, with further land border ports to follow during 2026, and for eligible travelers at selected general aviation facilities on 28 September 2026. [1]
What Mobile Passport Control does not replace
- Passport and entry documents. MPC does not replace a passport or any required travel document, such as an ESTA for Visa Waiver Program travelers, and travelers should have the necessary documents before flying. [1]
- The paper declaration form. Travelers using the app do not have to fill in a paper declaration form, because the CBP inspection questions are answered electronically in the app. [1]
- A conversation with an officer. MPC users must talk to a CBP officer in customs, while Global Entry members are not always required to do so. [1]
- Trusted Traveler status. MPC is not a Trusted Traveler Program, so it does not carry the status or benefits of Global Entry membership. [1]
Mobile Passport Control vs Global Entry: what is the difference?
Both are CBP services that offer expedited entry into the United States, but they work differently. [1] Global Entry is a CBP Trusted Traveler Program for pre-approved, low-risk travelers, costs $120 for a five-year membership, and requires every applicant to undergo a background check. [2]
| Criterion | Mobile Passport Control | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $120 for a five-year membership |
| Application | No enrollment application | Enrollment application required |
| Background check and fingerprints | No background check, no fingerprint to enroll | Background check and fingerprinting required |
| App | Must download and use the MPC app | Can use the Global Entry mobile app or portal |
| Talking to an officer | Must talk to a CBP officer in customs | Not always required |
| Trusted Traveler Program | Not a Trusted Traveler Program | Is a Trusted Traveler Program |
| Photo | Confirmation photo required for final verification, in addition to the app self-photo | No confirmation photo; only the mobile app or portal self-photo |
| TSA PreCheck | Not included; costs $85 or less for a five-year membership | Included with membership |
All rows in the table above follow CBP's own comparison. [1]
Exceptions and limits
- Diversions. If a flight is diverted to an airport that does not use MPC processing, travelers cannot use MPC as planned. [1]
- Time-limited submissions. A submission is active for 4 hours in the air environment and 8 hours in the land environment, so details entered too early will lapse. [1]
- Participating ports only. MPC is offered at the sites CBP lists, and coverage has been extended in stages, including land border crossings from 20 April 2026 and selected general aviation facilities from 28 September 2026. [1]
- No security lane benefit. TSA PreCheck is not included with MPC and costs $85 or less for a five-year membership, while Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck access. [1] [2]
- Global Entry conditions still apply to members. Global Entry members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States, and a violation of the program's terms can lead to enforcement action and termination of membership. [2]
Frequently asked questions
Is Mobile Passport Control free?
Yes. CBP lists the cost of MPC as free, with no enrollment application, background check or fingerprint enrollment. [1]
Can a family use one phone for Mobile Passport Control?
Yes. Up to 12 people can be added to a single submission from one device, which lets the group stay together when speaking to a CBP officer. [1]
How early can I submit my MPC details?
Up to 4 hours before landing for air arrivals, or up to 8 hours before arriving at a land border port of entry; the submission stays active for the same 4-hour or 8-hour period. [1]
Does Mobile Passport Control replace Global Entry?
No. MPC is not a Trusted Traveler Program and does not include TSA PreCheck, whereas Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program that costs $120 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck access. [1] [2]
Do I still need to show my passport with MPC?
Yes. A passport should be available to present to a CBP officer, and MPC does not replace a passport or any required travel document such as an ESTA. [1]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Mobile Passport Control and its comparison with Global Entry only; other CBP trusted traveler programs and other countries' border apps are not covered here.
- Mobile Passport Control, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, checked 18 October 2026
- Global Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, checked 18 October 2026