As I was walking through Chicago’s O’hare International Airport the other day I noticed an ad for Mobile Passport. I had seen some advertising for the Mobile Passport app in the past, but had never investigated further. I only travel internationally once or twice a year and have always had fairly painless encounters with the US Customs and Border Protection agents. Now, I have a few international trips coming up and decided to download Mobile Passport.
What Is Mobile Passport?
Mobile Passport is a mobile app from Airside Mobile LLC. Airside Mobile LLC partnered with the US Customs and Border Protection and the North American Airports Council International to provide an alternative to waiting in lines. The program began several years ago at Atlanta’s Hartstfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and has since expanded to approximately 21 airports in the United States. Mobile Passport allows users to fill out the necessary documents on a mobile device. Once completed, users are given a QR code. next, users can proceed directly to a CBP agent for entry into the US. Users can skip the general line of other citizens waiting to use automated kiosks.
How To Apply?
Signing up for Mobile Passport could not be easier. Honestly, I did not believe how easy it was and thought I was missing something. There isn’t even an application! Once you download the mobile app you are ready to go. If you are ready to get start you must first go to your mobile device’s application store (App Store or Google Play Store). Then, Search for “Mobile Passport” and download the FREE app. Next, launch the app and you are given very clear instructions on how to get started.
Get Started
There are 4 pages of instructions once you launch the app that will tell you how to get started, but if you don’t like reading instructions you can just hit the “Get Started” button. I then recommend taping the “Passports” button to enter your passport information before traveling. The app now lets you scan your passport (which I need to get) to fill out the personal information. Then take a photo (selfie) straight on, without a hat or glasses. Mobile Passport also allows you to enter your entire family’s passport information. Adding passports significantly speeds up the immigration process for future trips and can be completed at any time.
Entering The US With Mobile Passport
After setting up your personal information the process of entering the US couldn’t be easier. When you arrive in the US, launch the Mobile Passport app and select the “New Trip” button. From there the application will ask a few simple questions. Select the type of travel (Air or Sea) to move to the next set of questions. Then, select each travel profile of travelers in your party. These are added very easily on the fly by scanning each person’s passport. Next, enter your participating arrival city and incoming flight information. This will allow you to continue to the standard CBP Inspection Questions.
The CBP Inspection Questions are a standard set of yes no questions which are typically filled out on a piece of paper handed to travelers or completed at a CBP kiosk. After answering the series of yes/no questions you can finally select the “Submit Now” button which will generate a QR code. The QR code is valid for up to 4 hours after submitting. When you get to the immigration lines, follow signs for Mobile Passport users. You are then directed to a CBP agent who will scan each unique QR code and ask you a few questions.
After being admitted into the US you will exit as you always have. Each airport is slightly different, but typically CPB agents hand some type of documentation as a receipt to exit the immigration area. Typically this would be your stamped receipt from standard CBP kiosks.
Mobile Passport Vs. Global Entry
Global Entry has been around for years now and requires users to submit an application ($100 non-refundable) and complete an in-person interview. Your profile is then reviewed to determine if you are eligible for the Global Entry program. If you are not admitted you do not refunded the $100 application fee.
Mobile Passport however is completely free and requires no in-person interview. US citizens with a valid US Passport or Canadian Citizens with a valid Canadian Passport AND B1 or B2 visa status are eligible for Mobile Passport.
Final Thoughts
Mobile Passport is absolutely shocking. Using the app is completely FREE and does not require an application yet still allows you to skip potentially long immigration lines. Getting Mobile Passport could not be easier. Simply download the app, enter your personal information, and you’re ready to go. I am so happy to learn about Mobile Passport before my next trip and hope the app works as advertised on my next international trip. At this point Mobile Passport is only available at 21 airports and 1 seaport in the United States. A list of participating airports are found here.
Unbelievably, Mobile Passport is not yet available at LAX. It looks like it will be some time before I have a chance to give the app a try. That being said, since Mobile Passport is free I highly recommend everyone to at least give it a try on their next trip. Just check to make sure your arriving airport offers the service.
