Miami International Airport’s automated passport control (APC) eGates are now available to passengers from the 38 countries participating in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
APC technology allows passengers arriving at MIA from abroad to have their passports processed in less than two minutes via a self-service APC kiosk instead of waiting in line for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. MIA is one of the first U.S. airports to provide APC kiosks to eligible travelers from VWP countries.
Of the 38 VWP countries, MIA offers direct service to 10: Belgium; Chile; France; Germany; Italy; the Netherlands; Portugal; Spain; Switzerland; and the United Kingdom.
The Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) purchased and installed 36 APC kiosks in MIA’s North Terminal last November at a total cost of $3.5 million.
Thirty kiosks currently serve passengers arriving at concourses D, E and F, and six kiosks have been relocated and installed in MIA’s South Terminal to process passengers from concourses H and J beginning in July.
The airport plans to buy and install an additional 36 kiosks by the end of the year.
Emilio T. González, MDAD Director:
“We project that 6,000 more passengers per day will receive expedited passport screening at MIA now that travelers from VWP countries are able to use our self-service kiosks.
“We look forward to soon doubling our number of kiosks, gaining approval from CBP to process legal permanent residents, and further improving the arrival and connection experience at MIA.”
For more information about the Visa Waiver Program, go to http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visa-waiver-program.html.
Visaguide.world has comprehensive information about visa requirements worldwide.
N.B. Image credit: Miami International Airport
