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7 Essential Facts About Mobile Passport Control (MPC) You Need To Know In 2025

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Are you tired of long lines at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)? As of December 24, 2025, the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) application remains the single fastest, free, and most accessible way for eligible travelers to expedite their entry into the United States, offering a seamless digital alternative to traditional paper forms and processing kiosks. This article dives into the critical 2025 updates, including major expansions and key operational details, to ensure your next international arrival is as smooth as possible.

The MPC app, an official program from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, allows travelers to submit their passport information and customs declaration forms via a secure smartphone app (available on both iOS and Android). This simple digital step before landing or arriving at a preclearance location can dramatically reduce your wait time, making it an indispensable tool for modern international travel.

What is Mobile Passport Control (MPC) and Why It’s a 2025 Travel Essential

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a U.S. government-authorized program designed to streamline the inspection process for travelers entering the United States. Unlike paid programs like Global Entry, MPC is entirely free and only requires a smartphone and an internet connection to use. By pre-submitting your data, you bypass the standard processing queues and head straight for a dedicated, expedited MPC lane, which is often significantly shorter.

The core benefit of the MPC app is its ability to create a secure, encrypted profile that stores your passport information. When you initiate a "New Trip," you simply take a real-time selfie, answer the standard customs declaration questions, and submit the data to CBP. This process generates a digital receipt with an encrypted QR Code, which you then present to a CBP Officer for final verification.

The Key Difference: MPC vs. Global Entry

While both programs speed up the border process, they serve different needs. Understanding the distinction is crucial for optimizing your travel strategy:

  • Mobile Passport Control (MPC):
    • Cost: Free.
    • Eligibility: U.S. Citizens and Canadian B1/B2 visa holders.
    • Process: Submit data via a smartphone app (iOS/Android) and use a dedicated MPC lane.
    • Benefit: Excellent for occasional international travelers and families, offering significant time savings at no cost.
  • Global Entry (GE):
    • Cost: $100 for a five-year membership (requires a formal application, interview, and background check).
    • Eligibility: U.S. Citizens, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and citizens of select countries (e.g., Canada, Mexico, South Korea, etc.).
    • Process: Use a dedicated kiosk upon arrival. Includes TSA PreCheck access.
    • Benefit: Best for frequent international travelers who also want expedited domestic security screening (TSA PreCheck).

For travelers who haven't completed the lengthy Global Entry application process, or for Canadian B1/B2 visa holders who are ineligible for GE, MPC is the perfect, no-cost alternative.

Major 2024 & 2025 Expansions: Where You Can Use MPC

The biggest news for Mobile Passport Control in the last year has been its rapid expansion, solidifying its role as a primary entry method. CBP has been aggressively adding new locations, making the app viable for a majority of international arrivals.

Critical Update: All Preclearance Locations Now Supported (April 2024)

In a major expansion announced in April 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officially expanded the MPC program to include all international preclearance airport locations. This means travelers departing from major international hubs with U.S. Preclearance facilities—such as Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Dublin (DUB), and Calgary (YYC)—can now use the MPC app to clear customs before they even board their flight to the U.S. This change eliminates the need to wait in line upon arrival in the U.S. entirely.

New and Upcoming Airport Locations (2025):

CBP continues to roll out MPC at new domestic entry points. Recent and announced additions include:

  • Detroit Metro Airport (DTW): Expanded service as of early 2025.
  • Anchorage International Airport (ANC) & Fairbanks International Airport (FAI): Announced expansions for mid-2025.
  • Nashville International Airport (BNA): Part of the general push for enhanced passenger processing.

The program is now active at over 40 U.S. international airports and seaports. Key major airports where MPC is fully operational include:

  • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use the MPC App for Maximum Speed

Using the Mobile Passport Control app is straightforward, but following these steps precisely ensures you maximize your time savings:

  1. Download and Create Your Profile: Download the official "Mobile Passport Control" app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Create your profile by securely scanning your passport and entering your biographical data (name, gender, date of birth, country of citizenship). You can store multiple profiles for family members.
  2. Start a "New Trip" Upon Arrival: Once your plane lands (or before you arrive at a Preclearance location), open the app and select "New Trip." Choose your arrival airport or seaport (e.g., Palm Beach Seaport) and the terminal.
  3. Take Your Selfie and Answer Questions: The app will prompt you to take a real-time, unedited photo. Next, accurately answer the standard U.S. Customs Declaration questions (e.g., items being brought into the U.S.).
  4. Review and Submit: Review all your information for accuracy. Crucially, you must submit the transaction to CBP *before* you reach the inspection area.
  5. Receive Your QR Code: Upon successful submission, the app will display a digital receipt with an encrypted QR Code and a clear expiration time (usually 4 hours).
  6. Use the MPC Express Lane: Follow the signage for the designated Mobile Passport Control lane. Present your physical passport and the QR Code on your mobile device to the CBP Officer for the final, quick inspection.

Expert Tip: Travelers arriving as a family can submit a single transaction for up to 12 people residing at the same address, making the process incredibly efficient for group travel.

Eligibility and Security: Who Can Use MPC?

The MPC app is a highly secure platform, managed directly by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This official backing ensures data privacy and security, unlike third-party apps that may mimic the service.

Current Eligibility Requirements:

  • U.S. Citizens: All U.S. citizens with a valid U.S. passport.
  • Canadian Visitors: Travelers entering the U.S. on a Canadian B1/B2 non-immigrant visa.

The app is not currently available for other international visitors using ESTA or other visa types, who must continue to use traditional processing methods or Global Entry if eligible.

The Mobile Passport Control app is a powerful, free tool that has become an essential part of the modern international travel experience. With its major expansion to all preclearance locations and continued rollout at new domestic airports in 2025, it’s a must-have application for any eligible traveler seeking to minimize their time spent in the customs hall. Download the app, set up your profile, and enjoy a faster, smoother welcome back to the United States.

Topical Entities & LSI Keywords Used: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mobile Passport Control (MPC), Global Entry (GE), Preclearance Airport Locations, Canadian B1/B2 visa, QR Code, Customs Declaration, iOS, Android, Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), Nashville International Airport (BNA), Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Dublin (DUB), Calgary (YYC), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Miami International Airport (MIA), New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Palm Beach Seaport, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TSA PreCheck, Inspection Process, Terminal, Biographical Data.

7 Essential Facts About Mobile Passport Control (MPC) You Need to Know in 2025
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