Customs and Border Protection’s new arrivals app will reduce waiting time (Image: CBP).
International travelers returning to the U.S. through Chicago O’Hare — a major entry point for United MileagePlus and American AAdvantage members — can now take advantage of a handy smartphone app to speed up Customs and Border Protection processing.
The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app, available from Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store, serves a function like those automated passport control kiosks that are springing up in various airports.
The app is currently only available to U.S. and Canadian passport holders.
Passengers use the app to submit their passport data and customs declaration form before arrival, and they’ll get back a receipt with an encrypted QR code that a customs officer will scan.
Customs and Border Protection first deployed the app last summer for travelers flying into Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. Since then, the app has become available for travelers returning to the U.S. through Miami International and Seattle-Tacoma International.
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“MPC is expected to expand to more airports later this spring and CBP has committed to expand the program to the 20 airports with the highest volumes of international travelers by the end of 2016,” CBP said.
Of course, O’Hare has offered the automated passport control kiosks for more than a year. “In the first full year of operation for APC kiosks, average wait times at O’Hare were cut in half to just 15 minutes,” the agency said.
Have you tried this new app… or used a kiosk to re-enter the US yet? How’d that go for you? Please leave your comments below.
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Great Article. Thanks for the info, super helpful. Does anyone know where I can find a blank “customs declaration form” to fill out?
I was surprised over Christmas to see the kiosks at IAD. Using them was a snap and there was no queue at all. I kept expecting additional steps or scrutiny. It was faster than lining up to exit customs. What an improvement, having waited over an hour more than once (as a returning US citizen).
Global Entry is much better and faster than this –Chris
How is this compared to using Global Entry?
Is this available for everybody or only Citizens?