If you’ve ever landed in the U.S. after a long international flight, you already know the moment I’m talking about.

You step off the plane feeling excited to be home…
You walk down the jet bridge…
You round the corner toward Customs…

And then you see that line.

The one that makes you wonder if you’ll get home sometime before next Tuesday.

Now, if you’re lucky enough to have Global Entry, you can usually breeze through customs in seconds. But not everyone has Global Entry, and not everyone wants to pay the $120 application fee or go through the interview process.

The good news?

There’s another option that many travelers still don’t know about, but I’m spilling the beans to you, my travel community.

It’s called Mobile Passport Control.

And it might just save you a lot of time.

What Is Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control (often called MPC) is a service offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows travelers to submit their passport and customs information through a smartphone app before reaching the passport control area.

The program has actually been around for about a decade, but surprisingly, many travelers still don’t know it exists.

The best part?

It’s fast, easy, and completely free.

There’s no lengthy application process, no background check, and no interview.

All you have to do is:

• Download the CBP Mobile Passport Control app
• Enter your personal information
• Scan your passport
• Snap a quick selfie
• Submit your customs information

Then, when you arrive at passport control, you can proceed to the Mobile Passport Control lane, which is usually much shorter than the standard lines.

And after a long international flight, shorter lines are a beautiful thing. Yes, you can thank me later.

Mobile Passport Control vs. Global Entry

People often ask how Mobile Passport Control compares to Global Entry.

Here’s the simple version.

Global Entry
Global Entry is a trusted traveler program that allows members to clear customs through automated kiosks. Travelers apply, pay a fee, and complete an interview with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Once approved, they can use the Global Entry kiosks when returning to the United States.

One big perk of Global Entry is that members also receive a Known Traveler Number, which allows access to TSA PreCheck lanes when flying domestically.

The application fee for Global Entry is $120 for five years, although many travel credit cards reimburse the cost.

Mobile Passport Control

Mobile Passport Control, on the other hand, is completely free and available to a wide range of travelers.

Instead of using kiosks like Global Entry members, MPC users submit their passport and customs declaration information through the app before reaching passport control.

When they land, they simply proceed to the Mobile Passport Control lane.

While it may not always be quite as fast as Global Entry, it is almost always faster than standing in the regular customs line.

And again… it’s FREE.

Who Can Use Mobile Passport Control?

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mobile Passport Control is available to:

• U.S. citizens
• Lawful permanent residents
• Canadian B1/B2 visa holders
• Travelers from visa-waiver countries who have previously visited the United States

So, a large number of travelers are eligible, many of whom simply don’t realize the option exists.

Where Is Mobile Passport Control Available?

Mobile Passport Control is currently available at more than 50 locations.

You’ll find it at 35 major U.S. international airports, including many of the busiest gateways such as Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

The program is also available at 14 international preclearance airports, including:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dublin
• Toronto

These are airports where U.S. customs processing happens before you even board your flight to the United States.

Mobile Passport Control is even available at a few seaports, including Miami, Palm Beach, Port Everglades, and San Juan.

How to Use Mobile Passport Control

Using Mobile Passport Control is pretty simple.

Step one: Download the CBP MPC app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. (Tip: do this while you have Wi-Fi.)

Next, the app will ask how you’re entering the United States. In most cases, that will be by airplane.

Then you’ll select your arrival airport, also called your CBP port. For example, if you’re flying home to Atlanta, you would select Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

From there, you can add travelers to your submission. Get this, the app allows you to include up to 12 family members traveling from the same household, all on one phone.

After entering your passport information, you’ll upload a selfie and complete the process for each family member.

Once your information is submitted and you land in the United States, simply follow the signs for the Mobile Passport Control lane at customs.

When you reach the officer, one member of the traveling party will step forward for a quick photo. Customs officers use this photo to retrieve the application submitted in the app and verify the travelers in your group.

According to Customs and Border Protection, the photos taken at passport control are typically deleted within a few days, and selfies taken on your phone remain stored only on your device.

Is Mobile Passport Control Better Than Global Entry?

The honest answer?

It depends.

Global Entry is still the fastest option for clearing customs when returning to the United States.

However, if you don’t travel internationally very often, don’t want to pay the Global Entry fee, or you’re still waiting for your Global Entry approval, Mobile Passport Control is a fantastic alternative.

It can significantly shorten your time at passport control and is especially helpful for families traveling together, since multiple travelers can be submitted through one application.

The Bottom Line

If you don’t have Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control is one of the best travel tools you may not be using yet.

It’s free, easy to set up, and can help you skip some of the longest lines when returning to the United States after an international trip.

And after a long flight, anything that gets you home faster is worth knowing about.

Planning International Travel?

At Life Luxe Travel, we stay on top of travel tools, programs, and insider tips that make the travel experience smoother for our clients, from navigating airport programs like Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control to designing seamless international itineraries.

Whether you're planning a European getaway, a group celebration, or a bucket-list adventure, we’re here to handle the details so you can focus on enjoying the journey.