It's the best free travel app you're probably not using - it'll save you a lot of time
Few things are as frustrating as long queues at customs when trying to return home from a trip abroad.

I know this because I came back from a week of visiting the Netherlands, and when I arrived at San Francisco International Airport, I felt my stomach close as I followed the exit sign. I'm not an aviator, but I was lucky enough to be allowed back into the city after leaving several times, and each time it took at least an hour to clear US customs.

But hey, I got it. Laws must be followed, passports must be checked. But there is nothing quite like knowing that you are almost home after being far away for a long time, only to come across a long line of other frustrated and frustrated travelers slowly gently swaying in a cold room. If you're really lucky, you'll arrive during peak hours and see the queue turn itself around and move to the room.

I don't believe in hell, but if I did, it might look like SFO's federal inspection area on a busy day. Things weren't so bad when I landed at SFO earlier this week, but I was still watching a line of international arrivals that would probably take at least an hour to pass. I started to make peace with it and was rummaging through my pockets for headphones when a friend I was traveling with told me something that changed my life for the better. "Hey, do you have a mobile passport control app on your phone? You'll get it right away, that means we can skip the line."

We'll skip all the customs lines and leave SFO 10 minutes after our arrival."

Of course, he was right. I downloaded the app to my iPhone on my way to SFO and when I got to the customs line, I didn't have to worry about it anymore. Instead, I can use the special line for people using mobile passport control, since my friends and I use it, we have to skip the entire customs line and exit SFO 10 minutes after the 'fall'. . My time was restored, I came home earlier and happier than expected, and my whole trip was made better by avoiding that last newspaper at the end.

I saved my bacon with a friend for using this neat trick, but if I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't tell anyone about Mobile Passport Control. After all, why would I want to spoil the joy of free customs queues by telling anyone about this useful tool?

Passport control kiosks at Los Angeles International Airport in 2017. US citizens and some Canadians can avoid passport kiosks (and accompanying lines, not shown) at participating airports if you're willing to download and use a mobile passport control app. Thank you, my dear reader, for believing that information should be shared, especially when it makes people's lives better. So, now, I not only told you about the secret "jump sign" perk (although another sign that is often useless) comes with the use of mobile passport sign, I will walk you by the simple process of. update the application yourself.

Note that Mobile Passport Control is an app for iOS and Android provided by the US government (U.S. Customs and Border Protection in particular). As of this writing, you can submit your passport information in a statement through the application, but only US citizens and Canadian passport holders (with a B1 or B2 visa) are allowed to use it, and only at participating airports - see the US Customs and Border Protection FAQ page for the most recent list.

How to use mobile passport control

Download Mobile Passport Manager from App Store/Play Store

Select the input type and add passengers

Select travel information (arrival airport, gate, etc.)

Answer customs documentation questions

Submit, take photo and show QR code + passport to CBP

1. Download the mobile passport manager

Mobile passport control

The first thing you need to do is download the mobile passport manager app on your phone. Search for "mobile passport control" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and download the one from US Customs and Border Protection.

2. Select the input mode and add passengers

Mobile passport control

Open the app and you'll be greeted with a landing page that asks you to select your installation mode. As of this writing, you can choose between a US airport, US port, or destination, which includes a small number of Canadian airports. As of April 2023, the Mobile Passport Control app is used in 46 locations, including 33 US airports, 4 seaports, and 9 transit terminals. For the most up-to-date list of locations that support the MPC, see the US Customs and Border Protection FAQ page for the application.

Once you've chosen your entry type, you'll need to add travel data to the application. To do this, click on the Add Travel button and enter your information manually or by using your phone's camera to scan your passport.

If you are traveling with several people, it will be necessary for all of them to be installed in the equipment through the same process.

3. Select the travel information (airport, gate, etc.)

Mobile passport control

Once you've added all the passenger information (I found the in-app passport scanner handy for quickly taking a photo of your passport and reading the data, then use it to fill out the form), you need to tell the app the specific port. the gate you enter. Select the port and node you are accessing from the drop-down menu in the application.

4. Answer customs documentation questions

Mobile passport control

Here's where you'll get the real job of going through customs: Fill out the declaration form. Once you click continue and accept the security notice the app shows you, you'll be asked a series of questions about what (if anything) you're bringing to customs. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. At the time of publication, there were only six simple yes/no questions. Once you're done, click the blue button that says Save CBP Form.

5. Submit, take photo and show QR code + passport to CBP

Mobile passport control

Once you have completed the questionnaire and reached your entry point, click the Submit Now button. You will be asked to take a photo of yourself with your device's camera and submit the photo and your completed form to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If completed successfully, you will receive a receipt with your contact details, photo and QR code. If you haven't already, apply for a mobile passport stamp at the customs office (in my experience, there are usually empty queues). Skip the line and when the officer calls you to the customs office, show the CBP officer your license and passport. If everything goes well, you should have no problem getting through customs!