A few years ago, I finally applied for (and received) Global Entry. It was difficult to get the appointment at Boston's Logan Airport, though, so I didn't get Global Entry for my kids. I just didn't want them to have to miss school for their appointments.
As you may know, Global Entry is required for any family member who is looking to use the Global Entry line at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, even children. So, once or twice a year on international family trips, I figured that we would have to go through the regular US customs line.
Luckily, during one of my semi-regular trips to Logan, I saw a sign for the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App. The CBP MPC app is a great way to get through customs quickly, but it is only available for use at certain US Customs and Border Protection locations.
Mobile Passport is a great alternative to Global Entry, especially for families who only occasionally travel internationally, and is one of the best-kept secrets for saving time at the airport.
Review: Using the Mobile Passport Control App
Mobile Passport has changed over the years. It started as a free, third-party app, and then was available for a fee. That app is now discontinued, and the new app is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The current app is free and available here.
Mobile Passport doesn't come with any special "known traveler" benefits. You won't register in advance or undergo a background check, and you will still go through all standard border checks. It doesn't work at all in the TSA PreCheck line. It's strictly used to re-enter the United States from another country.
Where Can You Use the Mobile Passport App?
Right now (as of 10/2026), it can be used at 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.
More mobile passport locations are being added, so check back if yours isn't currently on the list.
You can find the full list at this website in the FAQ section.
How Do You Use the Mobile Passport App?
To use it, first download the mobile app. It's free on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Once you download it, you can set up profiles for each family member. That process was so easy - I was able to scan the barcode on each passport and then validate the passport information.
It was all correct as scanned, but you do need to check it. Then, you have to snap a picture of each person.
Once you are ready to return to the United States, you will need to open the app on your mobile device and answer a few questions with customs declaration information about your trip. This replaces the paper customs declaration form that we've received in the past. You'll also need to take a photo of each person.
I always hated searching for a pen and filling out that paper form while I was on the plane. When you have Wi-Fi or cellular data access (you do need an internet connection), submit the information once you confirm it.
You have limited time between submitting it and going through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), so you'll want to do it once you have landed at the arrival airport. Like with the form, you confirm that this information is accurate under penalty of law.
I found it easy to fill out the information, and I submitted it while I waited for the cabin door to open. After I submitted it, I got a QR code electronic receipt for each member of my family.
After we deplaned, we entered the terminal and looked for the mobile passport app signage. It may take a little while to find, and you can always ask someone.
We bypassed the kiosks and went straight to the special line to speak with the agents. This definitely saved us a lot of time, since most people on our flight had to wait for the kiosks.
When we met with the CBP officer, I provided him with the barcodes and our passports (note that the mobile passport app does NOT replace your US physical passport - you still need to have those).
While we did save time in line, we still had to wait for our luggage at the carousel. It didn't take long to come out, but we got through CBP inspection so quickly that our luggage hadn't made it from the plane to the carousel yet.
I definitely think the Mobile Passport App is a great way to save time at the airport if you and your family aren't Global Entry members. If you don't travel internationally often and you typically fly through an airport that uses the app, it's a nice option.
Its no-cost, easy-to-use design makes it worth trying. Keep in mind that there are some restrictions on who can use it, and mobile passport users may always be selected for additional questioning.
On some trips, I've found that I didn't even need it because the customs line was short. But it's always nice to have options.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mobile Passport App
It's a free app and is easy to update. So, unless every member of your family is in the Global Entry program, it's a good idea to install and set it up.
No. While you will get TSA PreCheck with Global Entry, you won't have that service with the app. The only way to get TSA PreCheck is to go through the regular channels (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, etc.).
Yes. You can add up to 12 profiles, so you can add the entire family if they are eligible.
Yes, you'll still need to travel with and show your physical, valid, unexpired passports.
Currently, mobile passport control is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved ESTA, and Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors.
You may notice the list above of locations includes some foreign international airports. Those are preclearance locations, where CBP personnel inspect travelers on US-bound flights. If you go through preclearance at these airports, you won't need to go through Customs and Border Protection when you arrive in the United States.
Have you used the Mobile Passport App?
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