Apr 23, 2016, 3:34 pm
Last edit by: TWA884
CBP uses the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) application to streamline the processing of eligible travelers entering the United States. Eligible travelers with a smartphone or tablet may voluntarily download the Mobile Passport Control (MPC)-enabled mobile application (app) from a mobile application store (e.g., Apple App Store or Google Play Store).
The MPC mobile app, is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA. If you are traveling with a group, you can add up to 12 people to a submission from one device.
Where can eligible travelers use MPC? (list at bottom of linked web page)
MPC is currently available at the following 53 sites, including 35 U.S. International Airports, 14 Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry:
The MPC mobile app, is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA. If you are traveling with a group, you can add up to 12 people to a submission from one device.
Where can eligible travelers use MPC? (list at bottom of linked web page)
MPC is currently available at the following 53 sites, including 35 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)
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- 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 (MSE)
- 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 (WPB)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Port Everglades Seaport (PEV)
- 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 (SAJ)
- 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)
US CBP Mobile Passport Control App (MPC)
Apr 24, 2019 | 10:23 am
#241
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Moderator's Action
Posts discussing the new "premium" Mobile Passport PLUS app, which costs $14.99 a year, and newly implemented limitations of the functionalities of the free basic version were moved to following thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Apr 28, 2019 | 1:03 pm
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20,271
Hi all. I'm Global Entry, so have never used Mobile Passport.
But I have an upcoming trip to France with two pre-teens (both have US passports), who don't have GE, so I'm looking at this app. I've modeled it for myself without the final submission and found, yes, as soon as I closed the app, my information and photo were deleted.
Though this thread, I think the idea is (on the free version), that you you need to fill the data in and take the photo just prior to arrival.
So a couple of questions.
First, if you finally submit the data, I'm understanding that you receive a bar code or qr code which is presented at the passport control kiosk. How long is the code valid? In other words, can I do this before the flight (say in the lounge at CDG)? Also, is the code resident in the app and just appears when I open it?
In the app FAQs, it says I can put all three of us on my phone? Any one know how this actually works? Do I just serially repeat the data entry/photo submission for each kid? Will the three codes then reside in the app on my phone?
How are the three codes managed at the kiosk?
Both kids have their own phones (I'm Android, they're iOS). Would it just be easier to load the app and each have their own code?
(We will be arriving at SFO on a weekday evening. I've flown this flight before and generally passport control isn't terrible, so there's always the possibility of just going through.)
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Edit - I just found the 16 page Mobile Passport thread and will work my way through to see if this information is there. I'm a bit concerned that much of the thread is quite old and may be outdated. Also, of course, on boards such as this confirmation of information is key, so I'll check back here of course.
Thanks again.
But I have an upcoming trip to France with two pre-teens (both have US passports), who don't have GE, so I'm looking at this app. I've modeled it for myself without the final submission and found, yes, as soon as I closed the app, my information and photo were deleted.
Though this thread, I think the idea is (on the free version), that you you need to fill the data in and take the photo just prior to arrival.
So a couple of questions.
First, if you finally submit the data, I'm understanding that you receive a bar code or qr code which is presented at the passport control kiosk. How long is the code valid? In other words, can I do this before the flight (say in the lounge at CDG)? Also, is the code resident in the app and just appears when I open it?
In the app FAQs, it says I can put all three of us on my phone? Any one know how this actually works? Do I just serially repeat the data entry/photo submission for each kid? Will the three codes then reside in the app on my phone?
How are the three codes managed at the kiosk?
Both kids have their own phones (I'm Android, they're iOS). Would it just be easier to load the app and each have their own code?
(We will be arriving at SFO on a weekday evening. I've flown this flight before and generally passport control isn't terrible, so there's always the possibility of just going through.)
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Edit - I just found the 16 page Mobile Passport thread and will work my way through to see if this information is there. I'm a bit concerned that much of the thread is quite old and may be outdated. Also, of course, on boards such as this confirmation of information is key, so I'll check back here of course.
Thanks again.
Last edited by rickg523; Apr 28, 2019 at 1:15 pm
Apr 28, 2019 | 1:08 pm
#243
Join Date: Jan 2018
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Hi all. I'm Global Entry, so have never used Mobile Passport.
But I have an upcoming trip to France with two pre-teens (both have US passports), who don't have GE, so I'm looking at this app. I've modeled it for myself without the final submission and found, yes, as soon as I closed the app, my information and photo were deleted.
Though this thread, I think the idea is (on the free version), that you you need to fill the data in and take the photo just prior to arrival.
So a couple of questions.
First, if you finally submit the data, I'm understanding that you receive a bar code or qr code which is presented at the passport control kiosk. How long is the code valid? In other words, can I do this before the flight (say in the lounge at CDG)? Also, is the code resident in the app and just appears when I open it?
In the app FAQs, it says I can put all three of us on my phone? Any one know how this actually works? Do I just serially repeat the data entry/photo submission for each kid? Will the three codes then reside in the app on my phone?
How are the three codes managed at the kiosk?
Both kids have their own phones (I'm Android, they're iOS). Would it just be easier to load the app and each have their own code?
(We will be arriving at SFO on a weekday evening. I've flown this flight before and generally passport control isn't terrible, so there's always the possibility of just going through.)
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
But I have an upcoming trip to France with two pre-teens (both have US passports), who don't have GE, so I'm looking at this app. I've modeled it for myself without the final submission and found, yes, as soon as I closed the app, my information and photo were deleted.
Though this thread, I think the idea is (on the free version), that you you need to fill the data in and take the photo just prior to arrival.
So a couple of questions.
First, if you finally submit the data, I'm understanding that you receive a bar code or qr code which is presented at the passport control kiosk. How long is the code valid? In other words, can I do this before the flight (say in the lounge at CDG)? Also, is the code resident in the app and just appears when I open it?
In the app FAQs, it says I can put all three of us on my phone? Any one know how this actually works? Do I just serially repeat the data entry/photo submission for each kid? Will the three codes then reside in the app on my phone?
How are the three codes managed at the kiosk?
Both kids have their own phones (I'm Android, they're iOS). Would it just be easier to load the app and each have their own code?
(We will be arriving at SFO on a weekday evening. I've flown this flight before and generally passport control isn't terrible, so there's always the possibility of just going through.)
Thanks in advance for any guidance.
The QR remains in the app under receipts for 4 hours.
You do not use the kiosk at all. You simply skip the kiosk which helps you move forward in the line and go straight to the MPC line. The officer sometimes scans the QR code, other times they dont.
You can do multiple receipts/people at once. You just swipe left and right to display the next QR page.
Apr 28, 2019 | 1:18 pm
#244
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20,271
once you submit the stuff through the app, the QR code is valid for 4 hours. No doing it in the lounge prior to departure unless its a very short flight.
The QR remains in the app under receipts for 4 hours.
You do not use the kiosk at all. You simply skip the kiosk which helps you move forward in the line and go straight to the MPC line. The officer sometimes scans the QR code, other times they dont.
You can do multiple receipts/people at once. You just swipe left and right to display the next QR page.
Thanks for the concise answers.
Apr 28, 2019 | 3:03 pm
#245
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
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Hello [MENTION=672848]rickg523[/MENTION],
Since your question is more about using the Mobile Passport App, as opposed to the recent changes in the functionality of the free version and the "enhancements" offered in the new premium version, was moved to this thread.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Since your question is more about using the Mobile Passport App, as opposed to the recent changes in the functionality of the free version and the "enhancements" offered in the new premium version, was moved to this thread.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Apr 28, 2019 | 9:23 pm
#246
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,710
once you submit the stuff through the app, the QR code is valid for 4 hours. No doing it in the lounge prior to departure unless its a very short flight.
The QR remains in the app under receipts for 4 hours.
You do not use the kiosk at all. You simply skip the kiosk which helps you move forward in the line and go straight to the MPC line. The officer sometimes scans the QR code, other times they dont.
You can do multiple receipts/people at once. You just swipe left and right to display the next QR page.
Easy enough to submit the info when you land. Usually there's enough time where you have mobile access from when you get off the plane to when you get to immigration. You can do it just a few minutes in advance.
Apr 28, 2019 | 9:40 pm
#247
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20,271
Also, probably easier for them each to have the app (and now that's required for free version).
Easy enough to submit the info when you land. Usually there's enough time where you have mobile access from when you get off the plane to when you get to immigration. You can do it just a few minutes in advance.
Easy enough to submit the info when you land. Usually there's enough time where you have mobile access from when you get off the plane to when you get to immigration. You can do it just a few minutes in advance.
May 1, 2019 | 7:24 am
#248
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Just opened the app this morning and it's pushing an "enhancement" labeled "Mobile Passport plus" for $14.99USD/year. Looks to me like the basic version will have less functionality, but can't say the info is crystal clear.
May 1, 2019 | 8:30 am
#249
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May 1, 2019 | 9:01 am
#250
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The basic version of the app still has the same full functionality as the version of the app with in-app purchase options.
The basic version of the app on my iOS devices have all the same functionality as those who are paying for the in-app purchases for plus functionality. If you can find and load a basic version of the MPC app from say the end of March, then you get all the functionality you can buy with plus with perhaps one exception: PHL airport may not be included.
The last two rounds of updates for this app have been pushed to try to push people into buying into plus and to put in PHL into the menu, but its all the same app now as last year as far as Apple is concerned.
The basic version of the app on my iOS devices have all the same functionality as those who are paying for the in-app purchases for plus functionality. If you can find and load a basic version of the MPC app from say the end of March, then you get all the functionality you can buy with plus with perhaps one exception: PHL airport may not be included.
The last two rounds of updates for this app have been pushed to try to push people into buying into plus and to put in PHL into the menu, but its all the same app now as last year as far as Apple is concerned.
May 20, 2019 | 6:27 am
#251
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Thought Id share my experience. This may be a little delayed but I used the Mobile Passport Control app at EWR Terminal B back in April. The officer was surprised to see me as a Canadian Passport holder that I was entitled to use MPC. He had issues with scanning my QR Code and proceeded to manually process me.
He had asked if I filled in a customs form (luckily I had as backup), which I answered yes and proceed to let me go through. I had to ask him to stamp my passport before going.
He had asked if I filled in a customs form (luckily I had as backup), which I answered yes and proceed to let me go through. I had to ask him to stamp my passport before going.
May 22, 2019 | 11:16 am
#252
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 390
I downloaded the app months ago, well before the subscription version was out. In general, I don't update apps unless there's a clear reason to, and thus I've escaped the paid version issues so far.
Arrived at ORD, my details were retained (photo, passport info, etc), just had to fill out the questions and got the code within seconds after submitting, and was moved up to the front of the line.
So, it still works.
Arrived at ORD, my details were retained (photo, passport info, etc), just had to fill out the questions and got the code within seconds after submitting, and was moved up to the front of the line.
So, it still works.
May 23, 2019 | 11:06 pm
#253
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The versions of the app that are currently working for MPC (and have been working this year) will continue to work unless and until there is a substantial operating system upgrade with which the now-working versions of the MPC app becomes incompatible.
I say this because when it comes time to go for say an iOS upgrade, at some iOS upgrade point the iOS app versions being used currently will no longer work even for those who havent updated the MPC app at any point after the first quarter of this year. For those who keep an older device as a relatively clean, quasi-disposable device for cross border use, there are ways around this app-disability from eventually hitting.
I say this because when it comes time to go for say an iOS upgrade, at some iOS upgrade point the iOS app versions being used currently will no longer work even for those who havent updated the MPC app at any point after the first quarter of this year. For those who keep an older device as a relatively clean, quasi-disposable device for cross border use, there are ways around this app-disability from eventually hitting.
May 23, 2019 | 11:10 pm
#254
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The versions of the app that are currently working for MPC (and have been working this year) will continue to work unless and until there is a substantial operating system upgrade with which the now-working versions of the MPC app becomes incompatible. I say this because when it comes time to go for say an iOS upgrade, at some iOS upgrade point the iOS app versions being used currently will no longer work even for those who havent updated the MPC app at any point after the first quarter of this year.
May 24, 2019 | 1:38 am
#255
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From a process perspective, photos of an MPC receipt work as well with the MPC receipt scanners used by CBP as the receipt shown in the MPC app itself. For those who lock up most features of their phone and want to try to limit access to the device's functionality even as an MPC user, this can be very useful. Also, for people with more recent versions of the app that include in-app purchase features under the "plus" aspect of the apps, you could have one person pay for the app, use it for the "plus" features but share its results via messaging the screenshot of the MPC receipt to the person(s) who don't pay for the "plus" features while having the new app or who don't even have the MPC app.
And yes, I've used MPC with screenshot-captured photos of the MPC app receipts, some of which weren't even generated on the phone presented to CBP for MPC purpose.
And yes, I've used MPC with screenshot-captured photos of the MPC app receipts, some of which weren't even generated on the phone presented to CBP for MPC purpose.
Last edited by TWA884; Aug 6, 2019 at 2:40 pm