USA Entry - CBP Mobile Passport control app [MPC]

[desafinado74]

My partner used the app back in July just prior to clearing immigration at JFK and it worked flawlessly. The one point I should mention for everyone is you need to have working data. At US airports that is not a guarantee even if you have a roaming package and bars on your phone. My recommendation when you arrive at the airport would be to turn on and connect to wifi. Then fill out the form. Yes you'll stand off to the side whilst passengers rush past you to immigration, but it won't matter since once you get that form completed you'll be whizzing past them very quick.

As a further aside, this is why I recommend Global Entry for those travelling to the US frequently enough, as you don't need to fill out anything. The whole process for entering the US is going up to a global entry kiosk which scans your face. Then a border agent will call your name and you'll walk past them. They might ask one or two questions (If that) but otherwise you'll be free to go.

-RooFlyer88

Thank you for the long reply. Did your wife still have to face a CBP officer, since this was her first time to the US?

I am also planning to apply for Global Entry when it opens to all Australians. Hopefully we don't have to wait too long for that to happen.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thank you for the long reply. Did your wife still have to face a CBP officer, since this was her first time to the US?

If memory serves me correctly she was asked one question and that was it (purpose of travel to US). This was her first time to the U.S. in an ESTA no less. But it was quick. She was through in seconds and actually cleared quicker than I did as she didn’t have to wait a moment for the kiosk to do facial recognition.

I am also planning to apply for Global Entry when it opens to all Australians. Hopefully we don't have to wait too long for that to happen.

Aside from quick immigration you also get TSA pre-check which can be a real time saver going through security as you don’t have to remove anything from your bag. You dump everything on the conveyor and walk through a metal detector

 

[desafinado74]

If memory serves me correctly she was asked one question and that was it (purpose of travel to US). This was her first time to the U.S. in an ESTA no less. But it was quick. She was through in seconds and actually cleared quicker than I did as she didn’t have to wait a moment for the kiosk to do facial recognition.

Aside from quick immigration you also get TSA pre-check which can be a real time saver going through security as you don’t have to remove anything from your bag. You dump everything on the conveyor and walk through a metal detector

Wow, that was amazing re your wife's experience. I was surprised that the CBP officer did not question why your wife was using the app when it was supposed to be only used by people who have been to the US a few time already.

Yes, the TSA Pre Check privilege will be so good. Hopefully there will be Global Entry enrolment centres in Australia too, so that you don't have to complete the final interview on arrival in a US airport.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Wow, that was amazing re your wife's experience. I was surprised that the CBP officer did not question why your wife was using the app when it was supposed to be only used by people who have been to the US a few time already.

Where does it say you must visit the US several times before using it? That’s news to me! There is a requirement that the person using the app be American, Canadian or on an ESTA but to my knowledge that’s it

 

[SeatBackForward]

Where does it say you must visit the US several times before using it? That’s news to me! There is a requirement that the person using the app be American, Canadian or on an ESTA but to my knowledge that’s it

I think there's some confusion here

Wow, that was amazing re your wife's experience. I was surprised that the CBP officer did not question why your wife was using the app when it was supposed to be only used by people who have been to the US a few time already.

Yes, the TSA Pre Check privilege will be so good. Hopefully there will be Global Entry enrolment centres in Australia too, so that you don't have to complete the final interview on arrival in a US airport.

The MPC app is not the same as Global Entry program. GE has only just become available and has a thresholds on who can use it (at present), this is not true for the MPC app using an ESTA, that anyone travelling to the USA can currently use.

 

[SYD]

I think there's some confusion here


The MPC app is not the same as Global Entry program. GE has only just become available and has a thresholds on who can use it (at present), this is not true for the MPC app using an ESTA, that anyone travelling to the USA can currently use.

Isn’t strictly after at least one previous visit with an ESTA? Hence the “returning ESTA visitor” wording?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Isn’t strictly after at least one previous visit with an ESTA? Hence the “returning ESTA visitor” wording?

There is certainly some ambiguity with the wording there. What does the word returning mean? In any event, she got through no problem and certainly from here on out she would fit any definition of the word returning.

-RooFlyer88