Denver International Airport (DEN) is the latest airport to offer the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app.
DEN is the twelfth airport to offer the app.
MPC is the first authorized app to expedite passenger arrival into the United States. Eligible passengers submit their passport information and customs declaration form to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app before arrival.
MPC currently offers U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors a more secure and efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the passenger upon arrival in the United States. Much like Automated Passport Control (APC), the app does not require pre-approval, is free to use and does not collect any new information from passengers. As a result, passengers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.
How it works
Passenger follow these five steps to use MPC:
- Download the Mobile Passport Control App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store before arrival
- Create a profile with their passport information
- Complete the “New Trip” section upon arrival in the United States
- Submit the customs declaration form through the app to receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code.
- Bring their passport and smartphone or tablet with the digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer
For more information look at CBP/gov.
Ken Greene, DEN’s chief operating officer:
“About 67 percent of our international travelers using the customs facility are U.S. citizens, so providing access to Mobile Passport Control will help streamline the customs experience for a large number of travelers each year. We are excited about this new partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which will offer many of our international passengers faster processing as they make their way into the United States via the Mile High City.”
The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 and is now available to passengers arriving at Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, Newark International Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport, Orlando International Airport, and San Jose International Airport.
MPC is expected to expand to more airports in 2016 and CBP has committed to expand the program to the 20 airports with the highest volumes of international travelers by the end of the calendar year.
Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
N.B. Image credit: Denver International Airport