At a glance
- Cost
- Free[1]
- Who can use it
- U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA[1]
- Where it works
- Most major U.S. airports, select land border crossings, and General Aviation facilities[1]
- When to submit
- Up to 4 hours before landing or 8 hours before arriving at a land border port of entry[1]
- Group size
- Up to 12 people on one submission from a single device[1]
- Enrollment
- No application, no background check, no fingerprints[1]
In this guide
- 01The short answer: what Mobile Passport Control is and who it's for
- 02Who needs it (and who doesn't)
- 03What it costs
- 04What you'll need
- 05How to apply, step by step
- 06How long it takes and when to apply
- 07What you can and can't do with it
- 08Arriving at the border or airport
- 09If something goes wrong
- 10Questions people ask
- 11Comments
The short answer: what Mobile Passport Control is and who it's for
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that lets eligible travelers submit their passport and customs declaration information electronically before they reach the inspection point. It is an alternative to the traditional paper declaration form and the regular inspection process, not a replacement for your passport or any required travel document.[1],[3]
If you are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitor, or a returning Visa Waiver Program traveler with an approved ESTA, you can use MPC. If you are not in one of those groups, MPC is not for you, and you should follow the standard inspection process instead.[1]
MPC is not a Trusted Traveler Program. It requires no enrollment application, no background check, and no fingerprints, which makes it a useful option if you do not qualify for Global Entry or are still waiting for approval.[1]
Who needs it (and who doesn't)
You do not need MPC to enter the United States. Using it is voluntary. If you choose not to use it, you can proceed directly to CBP primary examination to start the border inspection process. You just won't be able to use the MPC-dedicated lane.[3]
MPC is available at most major U.S. airports, at select land border crossings, and at General Aviation facilities. CBP currently lists 63 sites, including 37 U.S. international airports, 15 preclearance locations, 4 land border ports of entry, 4 seaports of entry, and 3 departure locations.[1]
At land borders, MPC was deployed for eligible pedestrians at select crossings on April 20, 2026, and CBP says it is rolling out to more land border ports of entry throughout 2026. The current land border ports include Blaine Peace Arch, Blaine Pacific Highway Port of Entry, Lynden Kenneth G Ward Port of Entry, and Sumas Port of Entry, all in Washington.[1]
At General Aviation facilities, MPC was deployed for eligible travelers at select locations on September 28, 2026. If you fly privately or on a general aviation aircraft, check whether your arrival airport participates before you rely on the app.[1]
What it costs
MPC is free. There is no application fee, no membership fee, and no cost to add family members to a submission.[1]
That is a key difference from Global Entry, which costs $120 for a 5-year membership. If you take fewer international flights, CBP suggests considering TSA PreCheck and using the free Mobile Passport Control app to reduce wait time. TSA PreCheck costs $85 or less for a 5-year membership and is not included with MPC.[1],[2]
What you'll need
Before you travel, make sure you have the following:[1]
- A smartphone with the MPC app downloaded from Apple or Android.[1]
- Your passport, which you will scan in the app and present to a CBP officer on arrival.[1]
- Any other required travel documents, such as an approved ESTA if you are a Visa Waiver Program traveler. MPC does not replace these.[1]
- A confirmation photo for final verification, in addition to the self-photo you take in the app.[1]
How to apply, step by step
There is no application or approval process for MPC. You set it up and use it when you travel. Here is the sequence:[1]
- 1
Download the app
Get the MPC app for Apple or Android.[1]
- 2
Scan your passport
Open the app and scan your passport to get started. Your passport information is saved in the app for future use.[1]
- 3
Add your group
You can add up to 12 people to one submission from a single device, so families can submit together.[1]
- 4
Answer the inspection questions
Answer CBP inspection questions electronically in the app and declare any items you are bringing in.[1]
- 5
Submit before you arrive
Submit your details up to 4 hours before landing or 8 hours before arriving at the land border port of entry. You can submit from your mode of transport or upon arrival.[1]
- 6
Use the MPC line
In the Customs arrival area, take out your passport and enter the designated MPC line to finalize inspection with a CBP officer.[1]
How long it takes and when to apply
MPC has no application processing time because there is no application. The timing that matters is your submission window. You can submit up to 4 hours before landing for air arrivals or up to 8 hours before arrival at the land border port of entry.[1]
An MPC submission is active for 4 hours in the air environment and 8 hours in the land environment.[1]
Submitting ahead of time speeds up your interaction with the CBP officer. MPC travelers can expect a shorter wait because the app allows officers to process travelers more efficiently.[1]
What you can and can't do with it
With MPC, you can answer CBP inspection questions electronically, declare items in the app, and skip the paper declaration form. At land border crossings, you can also apply and pay for a provisional I-94 using MPC.[1]
You cannot use MPC to replace your passport or any required travel documents, such as ESTA for Visa Waiver Program travelers. You still must talk to a CBP officer in Customs and have your passport available to present. You also must take a confirmation photo for final verification, in addition to the app self-photo.[1]
MPC is not a Trusted Traveler Program, so it does not include TSA PreCheck or the expedited entry benefits that come with Global Entry. If you want those, you need to apply separately.[1],[2]
Arriving at the border or airport
When you arrive, go to the Customs arrival area, take out your passport, and enter the designated MPC line to finalize inspection with a CBP officer. Groups using one MPC submission can stay together when speaking to the officer instead of going to the booth one at a time.[1]
The app uses your device location to determine your proximity to a port of entry and automatically selects the closest one for submission to CBP. CBP does not collect or maintain your specific location information.[3]
Your document information and inspection answers are submitted directly to CBP via secure encryption protocols. CBP says using MPC is secure.[1],[3]
If something goes wrong
The most common snag is a diversion. If your flight is diverted to an airport that does not use MPC processing, you will not be able to use MPC as planned. In that case, follow the standard inspection process.[1],[3]
Another issue is timing. Your submission is only active for 4 hours in the air environment and 8 hours in the land environment.[1]
If you want to access or correct information you provided through the MPC app, you can contact the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). General privacy inquiries can be made by phone at 1-877-CBP-5511 (877-227-5511).[3]
Questions people ask
Is Mobile Passport Control free?
Yes. The MPC app is free, and there is no application fee or membership cost. That makes it different from Global Entry, which costs $120 for a 5-year membership.[1]
Who is eligible to use MPC?
MPC 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. If you are not in one of those groups, you should use the standard inspection process.[1]
Where can I use MPC?
MPC is available at most major U.S. airports, select land border crossings, and select General Aviation facilities. CBP currently lists 63 sites, including 37 international airports, 15 preclearance locations, 4 land border ports of entry, 4 seaports of entry, and 3 departure locations. Check that your arrival point participates before you travel.[1]
How early can I submit my MPC information?
You can submit up to 4 hours before landing or up to 8 hours before arrival at the land border port of entry. Your submission is active for 4 hours in the air environment and 8 hours in the land environment.[1]
Can my family use one submission?
Yes. A group of up to 12 people can be added to one MPC submission from a single device. Groups using one submission can stay together when speaking to the CBP officer instead of going to the booth one at a time.[1]
Does MPC replace my passport or ESTA?
No. MPC does not replace a passport or any required travel documents, such as ESTA for Visa Waiver Program travelers. You still need your passport and must present it to a CBP officer.[1]
Is MPC the same as Global Entry?
No. MPC is not a Trusted Traveler Program. It requires no enrollment application, no background check, and no fingerprints, while Global Entry requires all three. MPC is free, while Global Entry costs $120 for a 5-year membership.[1]
Where this comes from
Every rule, fee and deadline above is taken from these official pages, which we read on October 28, 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you apply or pay.
- [1]Mobile Passport Control (MPC) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- [2]Global Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- [3]Mobile Passport Control (MPC) Mobile Application Privacy Policy | U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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