Mobile Passport Control Explained (2026)
On official CBP pages checked November 10, 2026, Mobile Passport Control is a free app, not a Trusted Traveler Program. You can submit a self-photo and declaration up to 4 hours before landing, or 8 hours before a land-border arrival; the submission is active for those windows. Groups of up to 12 can be processed from one device. You still talk to a CBP officer in a designated MPC lane and must present your passport. Official CBP language says it does not include TSA PreCheck. This is not a timed test or a scored ranking.
How this page was made: this is a research-based comparison built from official pricing pages, plan or policy wording, and product documentation. We haven’t tested these products or policies ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
On official CBP pages checked November 10, 2026, Mobile Passport Control is a free app, not a Trusted Traveler Program. You can submit a self-photo and declaration up to 4 hours before landing, or 8 hours before a land-border arrival; the submission is active for those windows.
Last updated Pricing checked Nov 10, 2026
We compared CBP’s official Mobile Passport Control page (last modified October 26, 2026) with official Global Entry and eligibility pages and TSA PreCheck pages, all checked November 10, 2026. We have not stood in an MPC lane, and we do not invent scores. Official CBP language positions MPC as a free alternative if you do not qualify for a Trusted Traveler Program or are waiting for Global Entry approval. Confirm that your airport, preclearance site, or land border is on the live official list before you rely on the app. For a paid Trusted Traveler comparison, see Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck.
What official CBP pages say MPC is — and is not
Mobile Passport Control is a free CBP app. Official language: there is no enrollment application, no background check, and no fingerprint requirement to enroll. It is not a Trusted Traveler Program. You still have to talk to a CBP officer, and you still present your passport. Official CBP comparison language says Global Entry members are not always required to talk with a CBP officer in Customs, and that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck; MPC does not. The official table lists PreCheck separately at “$85 or less” for a five-year membership.
MPC does not replace your passport or any required travel documents, such as ESTA for Visa Waiver Program travelers. If your flight is diverted to an airport that does not use MPC, official language says you will not be able to use MPC as planned.
How to use it, as written
| Step | Official rule |
|---|---|
| Before travel | Confirm your U.S. return, preclearance airport, or land border is on the official list. Download the official MPC app for Apple or Android and scan your passport. Official language: passport information can be saved in the app for future use. |
| Submission window | Up to 4 hours before landing, or 8 hours before arrival at a land border port of entry. Your submission is active for 4 hours in the air environment and 8 hours in the land environment. Take a self-photo and answer arrival and declaration questions in the app. |
| Groups | You can add up to 12 people to a submission from one device, so the group can stay together at the officer instead of approaching the booth one at a time. |
| At Customs | Enter the designated MPC line, present your passport, and finish inspection with a CBP officer. Official language also says you must take a confirmation photo for final verification, in addition to the app self-photo. |
Official CBP language says you do not have to fill out a paper declaration form; you answer inspection questions in the app. You can submit from your aircraft, at the airport, or before a pedestrian crossing. On April 20, 2026, CBP deployed MPC for eligible pedestrians at select land border crossings, and on September 28, 2026, at select general aviation facilities. The official page listed 63 sites, including 37 U.S. international airports, 15 preclearance locations, 4 land border ports, 4 seaports, and 3 departure locations, plus a separate general aviation list. Confirm the live list; it can change.
Who can use it
Official CBP comparison language: MPC 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. That is broader than Global Entry’s enrollment list, and it does not require a background check. It is also not a substitute for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Who should skip this guide
- Travelers whose arrival airport is not on CBP’s live MPC list. Official language: a diversion to a non-MPC airport means you cannot use the app as planned.
- Readers who want a Trusted Traveler Program with TSA PreCheck included. Official CBP language says MPC does not include PreCheck. See Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck.
- Anyone who wants a timed wait comparison or a scored “best arrival method.” We compared official rules, not stopwatch results.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mobile Passport Control free?
Does MPC include TSA PreCheck?
How long is an MPC submission valid?
Can a family use one phone?
Do I still need my passport?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 10, 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- CBP: Mobile Passport Control official page — free app, 4- and 8-hour windows, groups of 12, site list, comparison table (last modified Oct 26, 2026; checked Nov 10, 2026) (cbp.gov)
- CBP: Global Entry official page — $120, five years, Trusted Traveler Program (last modified Jul 9, 2025; checked Nov 10, 2026) (cbp.gov)
- CBP: Global Entry eligibility (last modified Oct 27, 2026; checked Nov 10, 2026) (cbp.gov)
- CBP: How to Apply for Global Entry — $120 non-refundable fee (last modified Nov 27, 2024; checked Nov 10, 2026) (cbp.gov)
- TSA: TSA PreCheck official page — $85 or less for five years (checked Nov 10, 2026) (tsa.gov)
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