USA Entry - CBP Mobile Passport control app [MPC]

[pyffii]

terminal 8 flying AA

 

[SeaWolf]

I traveled on QF11 from SYD-LAX on July 21st 2024 and had the MPC process on my phone completed and arrived at immigration hall to a grumpy worker pointing to the normal visitor line saying MPC was closed
Anyone else had that experience recently

Yeah, I had the same experience coming off QF11 on August 16th. Asked where the MPC queue was and was told, "We don't do that here" and got sent to the normal line.

 

[Catardale]

Can somebody assist me with a few queries regarding the MPC please? I haven’t heard of this before but read about it in the newspaper today. The writer did say “From January” but maybe scrolling through here suggests maybe otherwise. So I am travelling to the US next month with my 23 yo daughter, and this will be the second time we have entered the US on our current ESTA visa. We will be entering at LAX and if there is a way to shorten the entry process I’m all for it. My questions are -

Can we use the MPC app given these facts?

Is the app simple to use? I have already downloaded it but gone no further until I get more information.

Can I enter all the information into the app now or do I need to wait until I have landed?

If we can use it for entry, does it actually save any time? I don’t want to be faffing around at LAX and end up having to go in the normal queue which is now 100 metres longer than when we landed.

If we can use it do we go into a different queue to the normal cattle line?

If there is a separate queue, is it clearly marked and what is the queue called?

Really appreciate any assistance. Thanks

 

[Cynicor]

Can somebody assist me with a few queries regarding the MPC please? I haven’t heard of this before but read about it in the newspaper today. The writer did say “From January” but maybe scrolling through here suggests maybe otherwise. So I am travelling to the US next month with my 23 yo daughter, and this will be the second time we have entered the US on our current ESTA visa. We will be entering at LAX and if there is a way to shorten the entry process I’m all for it. My questions are -

Can we use the MPC app given these facts?

Is the app simple to use? I have already downloaded it but gone no further until I get more information.

Can I enter all the information into the app now or do I need to wait until I have landed?

If we can use it for entry, does it actually save any time? I don’t want to be faffing around at LAX and end up having to go in the normal queue which is now 100 metres longer than when we landed.

If we can use it do we go into a different queue to the normal cattle line?

If there is a separate queue, is it clearly marked and what is the queue called?

Really appreciate any assistance. Thanks

Would be worth reading the last few posts first.
Bottom line, in the USA nothing is guaranteed. If you want iron clad guarantee it’s faster, just use the normal lines.

 

[Catardale]

Thanks and yes, I actually scrolled through the 5 pages but the information in many cases was either contradictory or off topic or dated, so I figured it might be better to be clear and concise with my questions and hopefully get some correct information

 

[PrezRegan]

I flew into IAD a couple of weeks back and downloaded MPC as I deplaned. Completed app and took selfie on the strange shuttle they use for transfer.

On arrival into the main immigration area there were lots of signs saying to download and use MPC And look out for the MPC line. Super quick and efficient, I think I got out in about 5 mins and the place was looking to be quite busy for the normal passport lines. Definitely worth using.

I have Aus passport and ESTA. Didn't even need to show anyone esta or mpc, it must all come up when they scan your face and passport.

 

[pjm99au]

Can somebody assist me with a few queries regarding the MPC please? I haven’t heard of this before but read about it in the newspaper today. The writer did say “From January” but maybe scrolling through here suggests maybe otherwise. So I am travelling to the US next month with my 23 yo daughter, and this will be the second time we have entered the US on our current ESTA visa. We will be entering at LAX and if there is a way to shorten the entry process I’m all for it. My questions are -

Can we use the MPC app given these facts?

Yes. We used it in late September with one of us on a new etsa and one on a previously used etsa and worked fine. You add everyone under the same submission

Is the app simple to use? I have already downloaded it but gone no further until I get more information.

Can I enter all the information into the app now or do I need to wait until I have landed?

Yes you can enter the information now but you only submit it when you land

If we can use it for entry, does it actually save any time? I don’t want to be faffing around at LAX and end up having to go in the normal queue which is now 100 metres longer than when we landed.

The process through the MPC line was quite quick in LAX. We were out in under 15 minutes from landing

If we can use it do we go into a different queue to the normal cattle line?

Yes it’s sign posted MPC quite clearly to the left of the normal immigration lines. There were people to assist.

If there is a separate queue, is it clearly marked and what is the queue called?

Really appreciate any assistance. Thanks

 

[Catardale]

I flew into IAD a couple of weeks back and downloaded MPC as I deplaned. Completed app and took selfie on the strange shuttle they use for transfer.

On arrival into the main immigration area there were lots of signs saying to download and use MPC And look out for the MPC line. Super quick and efficient, I think I got out in about 5 mins and the place was looking to be quite busy for the normal passport lines. Definitely worth using.

I have Aus passport and ESTA. Didn't even need to show anyone esta or mpc, it must all come up when they scan your face and passport.

Thank you.

Post automatically merged: Oct 20, 2024

Yes. We used it in late September with one of us on a new etsa and one on a previously used etsa and worked fine. You add everyone under the same submission

Yes you can enter the information now but you only submit it when you land

The process through the MPC line was quite quick in LAX. We were out in under 15 minutes from landing

Yes it’s sign posted MPC quite clearly to the left of the normal immigration lines. There were people to assist.

Thank you! Perfect.

 

[Catardale]

Just to update this, I used the Mobile Passport Control process at LAX and was through immigration in exactly 20 minutes. There were probably 20 of us in the line (some pairs or groups so in reality a little less than that) and 3 immigration agents. Overall very impressive. The normal line or lines looked very, very long so I’m very glad I tried it. Air NZ actually mentioned it at the start of the flight to LAX but they didn’t bother when we landed

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just to update this, I used the Mobile Passport Control process at LAX and was through immigration in exactly 20 minutes. There were probably 20 of us in the line (some pairs or groups so in reality a little less than that) and 3 immigration agents.

Surprised the queue was that long! Then again, I suppose it depends on the time of day and other such factors. When my partner and I arrived into JFK in the early morning hours, there was no MPC queue for her and she actually cleared immigration quicker than myself who went through the Global Entry lane.

Overall very impressive. The normal line or lines looked very, very long so I’m very glad I tried it. Air NZ actually mentioned it at the start of the flight to LAX but they didn’t bother when we landed

What would you reckon that line would have taken to clear? Over an hour? I think this proves the point that Mobile Passport Control can make a huge difference in the whole immigration experience in the US. It's one of the reasons why I enjoy travelling through the US than other countries.

 

[burmans]

I’ve had vastly different experiences in the US, a couple of times no queue and once an hour plus.

 

[Sabbasolo]

Like so much in the USA immigration system, the use of Mobile CBP app varies a lot, depending on the time of day, the location, and the mood of the supervisor I suspect.

I have used it at successfully at an airport only to be told the next time that it is not available. Some points of entry now have a unified system for US citizens and visitors with no Mobile app. I have been refused and told it is only for US citizens, and I have had the timeout thing when submitting too....

 

[djkelly69]

What would you reckon that line would have taken to clear? Over an hour?

I have personally been in the LAX customs/border line for over 2 hours twice (which represents 50% of the times I have been through there over the last ~15 years). Once was from the last row of economy in 2007 (can't recall which airline), and the other was from the front mini cabin of J on a QF A380 a couple of years ago. But also had two other economy flights in 2009 and 2015 where the line was quite quick. All were early morning arrivals in LAX I believe.

Really just depends on your luck with getting in line ahead of other PAX and/or flights, number of staff on, etc.