USA Entry - CBP Mobile Passport control app [MPC]

[SeatBackForward]

Has anyone on AFF been using the CBP MPC app for entry into the USA?

More details about this app here: Mobile Passport Control (MPC)

The wording is a bit vague as it suggests "The MPC mobile app, is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with approved ESTA"

But the information is listed as being for US Citizens.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I'm fairly certain the wording of the ESTA section is not well worded and that the app is only open to US Citizens

 

[serfty]

I used it yesterday.

Completed it after landing at DFW from AKL while still taxiing in. Part of the process is to take a mug shot selfie.

Had to join the normal queue*; when at the counter I showed the agent the app. They took my photo at the start which (I presume) was matched with the selfie and hence had all the details.

Really the only perceivable difference in comparison with my previous entry was photo at the start, rather than at the end (I haven't had to do finger/thumb prints for some time). Otherwise processing seemed the same - likely more variance but unseen by me.

* It was quiet at that particular time - queues were basically "global entry" and "others" - the latter including US residents.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I used it yesterday.

Completed it after landing at DFW from AKL while still taxiing in. Part of the process is to take a mug shot selfie.

Had to join the normal queue*; when at the counter I showed the agent the app. They took my photo at the start which (I presume) was matched with the selfie and hence had all the details.

Really the only perceivable difference in comparison with my previous entry was photo at the start, rather than at the end (I haven't had to do finger/thumb prints for some time). Otherwise processing seemed the same - likely more variance but unseen by me.

* It was quiet at that particular time - queues were basically "global entry" and "others" - the latter including US residents.

Was this is using an AUS passport with a US ESTA? In other words, it's not exclusively for US Citizens only?

I guess it saves having to line up at the kiosks and being able to join the line immediately - and also having Internet access before reaching said queue.

 

[blackcat20]

Will be keen to give this a go in June, I'm the only one in my family without a US passport.

 

[SYD]

I haven't had to do finger/thumb prints for some time.

They seemed to have paired back on that. Early last year, first time back post “C” and on a new PP, the guy commented that I hadn’t been into the States for a while and did the photo and finger prints and sent me on my way. Later in the year flying from Canada he just scanned the PP and waved me through.

 

[djkelly69]

it's not exclusively for US Citizens only?

Not anymore (as of late last year). Some further discussion on the last page of this thread.

 

[serfty]

Was this is using an AUS passport with a US ESTA? In other words, it's not exclusively for US Citizens only?

As per the post by @SYD eligibility has been expanded.

I used my Oz Passport.

 

[Pete98765432]

I scanned my Canadian passport into the traveler section. It’s a bit quirky as it read my DOB as 12 July when it is 7 December. It also misread the passport expiry date.

Fortunately the data can be edited before being saved.

 

[Tiki]

I've used it at LAX and DFW (US passport) and it saves a lot of time. Lines were short and processing was very fast.

 

[snabbu]

At LAX it's not yet signposted like Global Entry is however that is exactly the line you need to take.

I was on the lookout for an "MPC" line which once you submit successfully via the app it tells you to look for. I read all the displayed boards as I was approaching the queues and did not see a specific MPC line so joined the regular Non-US line which snaked around a few times. I watched the screens all the way up and down and they all displayed "Visitor". On my second loop around the line at the far right end I saw "MPC Enter Here" on a single screen. An agent was close by so I showed her my MPC app and she directed me through. There were 4 people in the line for MPC as opposed to hundreds (still in front of me and I was first off QF11) in the regular line.

At screening I showed the agent my MPC and he didn't want to see it. A simple picture and the usual questions then I was on my way.

 

[GUWonder]

I'm fairly certain the wording of the ESTA section is not well worded and that the app is only open to US Citizens

I use the MPC app, and it’s open to more than just US citizens now. Returning US VWP users who have previously come into the US with an ESTA can also now use MPC to enter the US when/where MPC is operating at US ports of entry and US CBP Preclearance facilities. At this time last year, MPC was still restricted to US citizens and Canadian citizens. Now it’s open to US citizens, Canadians, US LPRs and returning ESTA users using the US VWP to enter the US.

 

[GUWonder]

If you have any particular questions about how MPC works for returning ESTA users entering the US under the US Visa Waiver Program terms, I can share what I know from having been involved in the process when some EU passport users have come in with me using MPC.

 

[GUWonder]

At LAX it's not yet signposted like Global Entry is however that is exactly the line you need to take.

I was on the lookout for an "MPC" line which once you submit successfully via the app it tells you to look for. I read all the displayed boards as I was approaching the queues and did not see a specific MPC line so joined the regular Non-US line which snaked around a few times. I watched the screens all the way up and down and they all displayed "Visitor". On my second loop around the line at the far right end I saw "MPC Enter Here" on a single screen. An agent was close by so I showed her my MPC app and she directed me through. There were 4 people in the line for MPC as opposed to hundreds (still in front of me and I was first off QF11) in the regular line.

At screening I showed the agent my MPC and he didn't want to see it. A simple picture and the usual questions then I was on my way.
View attachment 372350

Once you get a QR code receipt from submitting the entry info on the app for the arrival processing, there is no longer a need to show the QR code or app to the CBP since that is sort of a relic at this point where they used to previously scan the QR code to realize whom they were processing and what the form’s customs declaration was.

 

[Katie]

I used it at LAX on 25 Jan after arriving on QF11. I was close to the front of the line anyway, and similar to snabbu, couldn't see any specific lines for MPC - though I wasn't in line long enough to spot one. Didn't show the agent my app when I got to the front of the queue; however, the only question he asked me was what food I had. No questions about purpose or duration of trip.

So, it was certainly a faster agent experience, and I would have appreciated being able to find the MPC line.

Edit to add: On an Aus passport entering the US using ESTA.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Attempted to use it for the family at I getting into JFK back in late December 2023. After uploaded all the passenger details and photos it kept timing out when submitting so ended up in the 2hr+ queue. Following this first attempt have successfully used on 3 separate occasions at La Guardia, Montreal and again at LAX and worked perfectly. Took all of 60 seconds for a family of 4 to get through and the bonus is you don't get your passport full of US Entry stamps...

Apart from the time out issue at JFK the biggest issue I found is getting the people looking after the lines to recognize the MPC symbol and line. At LAX they sometimes use the MPC line for young families and wheelchair passengers which can slow down the process.

 

[GUWonder]

Attempted to use it for the family at I getting into JFK back in late December 2023. After uploaded all the passenger details and photos it kept timing out when submitting so ended up in the 2hr+ queue. Following this first attempt have successfully used on 3 separate occasions at La Guardia, Montreal and again at LAX and worked perfectly. Took all of 60 seconds for a family of 4 to get through and the bonus is you don't get your passport full of US Entry stamps...

Apart from the time out issue at JFK the biggest issue I found is getting the people looking after the lines to recognize the MPC symbol and line. At LAX they sometimes use the MPC line for young families and wheelchair passengers which can slow down the process.

Did you mean JFK where you said LaGuardia above? Or maybe you meant you used MPC at YUL’s US CBP Preclearance facility right in advance of flying a YUL-LGA flight?

MPC can’t be used at LGA since LGA is served by only domestic flights and the flights from some foreign airports with US CBP Preclearance facilities — the latter of which allows them to arrive at LGA as if they are domestic flights and thus no use for MPC on arrival at LGA.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Did you mean JFK where you said LaGuardia above? Or maybe you meant you used MPC at YUL’s US CBP Preclearance facility right in advance of flying a YUL-LGA flight?

MPC can’t be used at LGA since LGA is served by only domestic flights and the flights from some foreign airports with US CBP Preclearance facilities — the latter of which allows them to arrive at LGA as if they are domestic flights and thus no use for MPC on arrival at LGA.

Good pickup. Apologies MPC was used exiting YUL to return to LGA.

 

[Himeno]

returning ESTA users using the US VWP to enter the US.

Does "returning ESTA users" mean people who have previously been to the US under ESTA or only those who have been to the US with an ESTA on their current passport?

 

[skylabsea]

Does "returning ESTA users" mean people who have previously been to the US under ESTA or only those who have been to the US with an ESTA on their current passport?

Pure speculation, but the USCBP systems have previously been robust enough to pick up the same traveller with different identity documents (e.g. GE with different passports), so I can't imagine MPC working any differently.
The question I want to know is if first time visitors to the US are able to use MPC despite the language here clearly pointing out "returning users"; I was able to apply for ESTA and fill the MPC form without any issues. Guess I'll see when I land in SEA this month!