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Mobile Passport Control (MPC) = game changer

Just returned from England via SEATAC and was prepared to wait endlessly for Passport Control. When we entered the area, there must have been 200-300 people waiting in a snaking line.

I had previously installed the CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC) on my phone and filled in the information prior to our flight. Upon arrival. I completed the app as soon as I took my phone off Airplane Mode. This generated a QR code on the app for my wife and I.
When we entered the Passport Control hall, we approached an agent who directed us to another line.

From there we quickly approached another agent, scanned our QR code in and left Passport Control in a matter of a few minutes while all the other passengers waited for what must have been at least an hour.

This is great app!!

Posted by
17255 posts

Do you have Global Entry as well as the CBP a app?

Posted by
531 posts

Lola, I found this:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/mobile-passport-vs-global-entry

Was wondering if it made sense to have both, as I already have Global entry. Doesn't sound like it will make a difference though.

For those who travel a lot but are on the fence about mobile passport control vs. global entry:

We recommend applying for Global Entry first since it automatically includes TSA PreCheck. The opposite is not valid. Approval for TSA PreCheck does not include Global Entry membership. You will have to pay a second application fee if you apply for Global Entry after applying for TSA PreCheck.

Posted by
7697 posts

I've tried to use MPC in the past and even though the airport is on the list of those that use it, I was unable to. It really depends on when and where you are. I'd rather rely on GE, especially because of the TSA pre-check.

Posted by
1895 posts

I have found that MPC often has a shorter line than Global Entry. I hesitate to tell people about it for reasons you can probably figure out.

Posted by
142 posts

I have used Mobile Passport numerous times. It has worked great for me.

Since people are talking about Global Entry - CBP Mobile Passport and Global Entry are two different things. I do not have Global Entry.

(MPC is for passport control/immigration only - it has nothing to do with TSA Precheck).

Posted by
474 posts

I had the same experience as malcolmOH did last year once in Seattle and once in Salt Lake. In Salt Lake they had a line for GB and one for Mobile Passport. I was the only one in line and just about to go up to the agent when a man came through the GB line and went ahead of me. The agent told him to next time not be so rude and wait his turn. I'm quite happy with it.

Posted by
10 posts

I don't travel enough internationally to justify either GE or any other paid program. MPC is free to all and very easy to use. As i said, I got out in a matter of minutes and was amazed!

Posted by
729 posts

Thank you for the reminder to complete our info. Had forgotten I had the new app downloaded but hadn’t scanned our passports. Think we’re ready to go for SEATAC return this fall.

Posted by
531 posts

Just signed up for mobile passport, so if that line is shorter than Global Entry when I come back from my upcoming tour, I will hop in that one instead!

Posted by
4004 posts

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have Global Entry but downloaded the CBP MPC app tonight.

Posted by
586 posts

Mobile Passport has worked beautifully for me at JFK, O’Hare, and Detroit. Last time I checked you couldn’t use it in Atlanta which is unfortunate since that is often our point of entry.
I’ve never applied for Global Entry since getting an interview is so difficult.

Posted by
16105 posts

I've never had more than two people ahead of me with GE.

There are some good things about GE over Mobile Passport...

1) Not all airports have Mobile Passport.

2) If the computers go down, and they have done so, if you have GE and can prove it, you will be moved to the front of the line. Not so for Mobile Passport. (If you can't connect, you can't get the QR code.)

GE is now just facial recognition. No more passports, fingerprints, or answering questions at the kiosk.

Some airports are combining the GE and Mobile Passport lines.

Posted by
816 posts

MPC is available at IAD, so I'm just curious if anyone has used it going through the midfield immigration facilities at the C/D Terminal?

Posted by
884 posts

I have used MPC at JFK and EWR, both of those lines dumped into the GE lines, so I beat folks even with GE, what a breeze!

Last time I came back I went through Montreal - and I tell ya - THEIR Customs is a breeze, no need for GE/MPC at all; well staffed, pleasant folks, our CBP could learn a thing or a thousand...