Eligible Travelers Entering the U.S. Have a Mobile Option for CBP processing
BOSTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Logan International Airport (BOS) today announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to BOS. BOS becomes the 18th airport to offer MPC for CBP processing.
Mobile Passport is the first authorized app to expedite a traveler’s arrival into the United States. Eligible travelers may voluntarily submit their passport information and answers to inspection-related questions to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
“Mobile Passport Control adds another option for international travelers to expedite their processing at Logan,” said Boston Director of Field Operations William Ferrara. “Maintaining our critical border security mission while efficiently facilitating legitimate travel and tourism is our top priority.”
“We are pleased to offer our passengers another option to process more efficiently through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection hall with the addition of Mobile Passport Control,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “We have made several improvements within the last year to make the Customs Hall more efficient and will continue to look at new technologies to enhance the passenger experience.”
MPC currently offers U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors a more efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the traveler upon arrival in the United States. Much like Automated Passport Control (APC) the app does not require pre-approval and is free to use. Travelers who successfully use the app will no longer have to complete a paper form or use an APC kiosk. As a result, travelers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.
“CBP is constantly striving to make travelers’ entry into the U.S. as fast, intuitive, and paperless as possible,” said Boston Area Port Director Clint Lamm. “Mobile Passport Control’s technology advances automation in the passenger processing environment, making entry into the U.S. more efficient.”
The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 for eligible travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and has since expanded to 18 airports.
In addition to BOS and Atlanta, MPC is available to travelers arriving at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport; Chicago O’Hare International Airport; Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport; Denver International Airport; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport; John F. Kennedy Airport; Miami International Airport; Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport; Newark International Airport; Orlando International Airport; Raleigh-Durham International Airport; San Francisco International Airport; San Jose International Airport; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Tampa International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
This first-of-its-kind app was developed in partnership with CBP by Airports Council International- North America (ACI-NA) and their technical partners. Information about Mobile Passport Control, including how to download the app, user eligibility and other frequently asked questions, is available on CBP.gov.
MPC is just one part of CBP’s resource optimization strategy, which is transforming the way CBP does business in land, air and sea environments. As part of its commitment to innovation, APC kiosks are located at 42 locations and the I-94 form is now automated. CBP has also enrolled more than 5 million travelers in trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI. These programs allow CBP officers to process travelers safely and efficiently while enhancing security and reducing operational costs.
CBP’s website offers rules and tips for clearing CBP inspection during travel to and from the United States.