Why every traveler should download mobile passport control

• Customs and US border protection offers free applications to coordinate international arrivals.
• This app can be used in 53 US airports and ports.
• It is good for groups but ineffective as a global entry membership.

Time -saving tools for tourists who return to the United States are just knocking.

After a long international flight, the long line of passport and immigration control may be disappointing. For a selection of shortcuts, customs and border protection offers free applications called Mobile Passport ControlOr MPC, which can help speed up the security process when returning to the United States.

The MPC app helps organize and verify traveler information, and provide access to specific security lanes or accelerated inspections through the usual lane. Although the name of the application signifies a mobile passport, tourists still need to present a valid physical passport as part of the security process while using the app.

MPC applications can be used in 53 different airports or ports, including Atlanta (ATL), Cleveland (CLE), Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAH/HOU), New York (JFK/EWR), Orlando (MCO), and Phoenix (PHX). Smartphone app can downloaded From App Store or Google Play Store. Most importantly, the MPC app is free and can be used for groups of up to 12, meaning it can save time for families.

That’s not to say that you should have a global entry. The MPC’s turn is often closed, even at the airport promoting its application. “I definitely used the app at the airport claiming to receive MPC and had an ad for it at the airport, just told the airport not accepting it, so it was not a failed option,” Baral SusmitaSenior Editor at Travel + free timesaid.

While MPC can be a time -saving tool, international tourists may have more benefits from Global entrywhich provides a faster and accelerated customs arrival process. Tourists with global entry often use facial recognition scans to confirm their identity and be taken through security in minutes.

When traveling with a large group or family, where some passengers have a global entry, and others do not, mobile passport controls can be a useful travel tip for speeding up the process for non -global entry travelers. Plus, sometimes the MPC line is shorter than the global entry line.

It is important to remember that MPC and global entries are different services than Tsa precheckwhich provides accelerated safety inspections through the domestic inspection center and has additional features that do not need to remove the belt or shoe.

The final time saving option is when the International Airport traveler departs from having their own pre-release facilities. For example, Dublin Airport (DUB) and Montreal Trudeau International Airport (Yul) both have the United States Pre-release facilitywhere a traveler goes through the required visit with GST officers before departure. Once the traveler returned to the United States, they landed as domestic passengers and did not have to go through customs like other international flights. Dublin Airport estimates this feature helps travelers save up to two hours in their entire journey. In addition, the Dublin Airport and the second Montreal Airport have received a mobile passport control application, which can add more to time savings.