When returning to the US after a long international flight, it is very frustrating to stand in a long line to get through immigration. There is a relatively new app called Mobile Passport that is guaranteed to get you through immigration in record time. Mobile Passport is available to US citizens and Canadian visitors.
Most international airports now have kiosks at immigration. The kiosks have improved the time to get through immigration. Still lines often form for using the kiosks, there is time involved in filling out the immigration form at the kiosk, and most significantly once the form is filled out you must stand in a line to present your receipt to the immigration officer. And that line is just as long as ever.
Mobile Passport is a huge leap ahead because it bypasses the kiosks altogether, and you bypass the line at the immigration officer! You fill out the immigration form in the app on your phone. You can do this at anytime and will receive a receipt on your phone that you present at immigration. The receipt is good for four hours after it is issued.
The steps for getting and using the app are:
First:
Use you android or iPhone app store.
Second:
Enter your profile information as it appears on your valid, official passport. You can set up profiles for your entire family. Your information will be encrypted and shared only with CBP.
Third:
Answer CBP’s four brief questions about your trip. Then carefully review ALL of your information for the trip.
Finally:
Follow the MOBILE PASSPORT CONTROL signs and skip the lines! Show your passport to the CBP officer and scan the barcode on the CBP receipt. And that’s it!
In some ways Mobile Passport is better than Global Entry. Mobile Passport is free while Global Entry costs $100 (the fee can be reimbursed with certain credit cards like Citi Prestige card.) Global Entry requires an application and interview with Customs officers. The interview is only conducted in certain locations and the wait is usually at least three to four months after you request. Global Entry requires going to kiosks to fill out the form. Mobile Passport skips the kiosks.
The only advantage of Global Entry is that after collecting luggage the Global Entry line at customs can be much shorter than the line all non-Global Entry passengers use. In some airports, though, Mobile Passport usersGlob
Mobile Passport is currently available at ATL, ORD, DFW, DEN, FLL, MIA, JFK, EWR, MCO, SFO, SJC, AND SEA. Additional airports are being added.
Salsaworldtraveler'sblog 