This Free CBP App Got My Family Through U.S. Immigration in 60 Seconds

We had just arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on a United Airlines flight from Zurich Airport (ZRH), and the start of our connection was not looking promising.

There was already a long queue after we got off the aircraft, before we had even reached the main U.S. immigration and customs area. We had a relatively tight connection, and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) is not exactly the airport where you want to lose an hour during an international transfer.

Then, while making our way toward immigration, I noticed signs advertising CBP Mobile Passport Control, or MPC.

I had never used it before, but the signs suggested it could speed up the immigration process. With nothing to lose, I pulled out my phone and downloaded the app.

A few minutes later, it turned what I expected to be the most stressful part of our connection into the fastest U.S. immigration experience I have ever had.

Setting Up Mobile Passport Control Took About Two Minutes

The official CBP Mobile Passport Control app is free and does not require the advance application, interview, background check or enrollment fee associated with programs such as Global Entry.

I downloaded it while we were walking through Dulles.

The setup was extremely straightforward. I entered the passport information for all three members of our family and completed the required arrival and customs declaration questions.

One of the nicest features for families is that everyone can be included in a single submission. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as many as 12 eligible travelers can be submitted together from one mobile device.

Once I finished, the app generated our submission confirmation. MPC submissions remain valid for four hours, so there was plenty of time to reach the immigration area.

The entire process probably took me two minutes.

Then We Reached Immigration

This is where I became a believer.

When we entered the immigration hall, there was a dedicated line for Mobile Passport Control passengers.

We followed the signs.

There was nobody in it.

While other arriving passengers were waiting in the regular immigration lines, the three of us walked directly to a Customs and Border Protection officer.

We handed over our passports, completed the inspection and were finished in approximately 60 seconds.

That was it.

I have entered the United States plenty of times after international trips, and I cannot remember ever getting through immigration that quickly.

Considering we had a connecting flight and still needed to make our way through the enormous Dulles Airport (IAD), those saved minutes were incredibly valuable.

So What Exactly Is Mobile Passport Control?

MPC essentially allows eligible travelers to submit passport and customs information electronically before reaching a CBP officer.

It does not allow you to skip immigration. You still need to present yourself and your physical travel documents to a CBP officer.

The advantage is that participating airports have dedicated processing for MPC users, and much of your information has already been submitted.

There is also no guarantee that the MPC line will always be empty. We clearly arrived at an excellent time. During a busy international arrival period, other MPC passengers could be waiting ahead of you.

Still, there is very little downside to using it. CBP specifically promotes MPC as a way to reduce passport-control inspection time and overall wait times.

And unlike Global Entry, you do not have to plan for it months before your trip.

I literally discovered it after landing.

Who Can Use CBP Mobile Passport Control?

MPC is available to several categories of eligible travelers, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

It is also available to eligible Canadian B1/B2 visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved ESTA, subject to CBP requirements.

The program is available at dozens of participating U.S. airports, including major international gateways such as Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

It can also be used at certain CBP Preclearance locations outside the United States.

Travelers should check CBP’s current participating-location list before relying on MPC for a particular trip.

I Would Download It Before Your Next International Trip

The only thing I would do differently next time is download MPC before returning to the United States.

There was no problem setting it up after arriving at Dulles Airport (IAD), but doing it in advance removes one more thing to think about after a long international flight.

Passport profiles can be stored in the app, so repeat use should be even easier.

Then, when returning to the United States, you complete the required trip information and declaration, submit it within the permitted arrival window and follow the Mobile Passport Control signs once you reach immigration.

For families in particular, being able to put everyone on the same submission makes the process surprisingly painless.

Bottom Line

We arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) from Zurich Airport (ZRH) with a tight connection and what appeared to be a lengthy immigration process ahead of us.

While walking toward Customs and Border Protection, I noticed signs for the free CBP Mobile Passport Control app.

I downloaded it, entered the information for all three of us and completed the required questions in roughly two minutes.

When we reached immigration, there was a dedicated MPC queue with nobody waiting. We walked straight to a CBP officer and were through in approximately 60 seconds.

Obviously, I would not expect an empty MPC line on every trip. But for a free app requiring no advance approval and almost no effort to use, the potential time savings are enormous.

After this experience, Mobile Passport Control will be something I use every time I return to the United States.