This free app is your fast track through US airport immigration

Long lines at the immigration checkpoints of US airports are the bane of travellers, but there are two ways to spend less time standing in the queue: these are the Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control programs.

Global Entry for Australian passports

Global Entry is a ‘trusted traveller’ program allowing pre-approved or vetted flyers to skip immigration queues in favour of dedicated screening kiosks, which can shave hours off your wait.

After being approved for Global Entry through an in-person interview, a wave of your passport and scan of your fingerprints is typically all it takes to zip through passport control and be on your way.

United States Global Entry airport kiosks.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

More than a dozen countries including Singapore and the United Kingdom are now part of the Global Entry program.

However, despite years of promises by Australian authorities that Global Entry would be extended to Australians, beginning on a trial basis, nothing has happened.

In a statement to Executive Traveller, the Department of Home Affairs said it “continues to work closely with the United States Customs and Border Protection Service (USCBP) on Australia’s participation in the Global Entry Program (GEP) and on associated timings.” 

In the meantime, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is the next best thing to Global Entry – and Australians are on the approved list.

What is Mobile Passport Control?

Open to United States citizens, residents and returning ESTA visa waiver holders, Mobile Passport Control is a free app allowing travellers to pre-fill essential documents and then complete a digital customs declaration on arrival into the US. 

MPC can be used at 30 US airports, including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Honolulu (HNL) and Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW), which are key entry ports for Australians.

Screenshots of the Mobile Passport Control app.

Once your application is submitted, the app provides you with a receipt to give to border agents, who simply need to verify submitted details before welcoming you into the US.

How to use Mobile Passport Control

Mobile Passport Control can only be completed on arrival in the United States – it can’t be submitted ahead of time. Thankfully, it’s a quick and easy process.

1. Download the free app from Apple Store or Google Play (it’s recommended to do this before travelling, as accessing a foreign app store can be difficult)
2. Create your profile, adding your passport information, date of birth and a selfie
3. Complete and submit your MPC declaration, answering all required questions
4. Make your way to the Mobile Passport Control immigration lanes and present your submission receipt to the border protection agent

Note that you’ll need to activate mobile data or connect to the airport WiFi to submit your application.

When will Global Entry open to Australians?

Global Entry applications must by vetted and approved the US Customs and Border Protection service. This is not just a quick rubber-stamping process – there’s an extensive background check and an interview to ensure you are a ‘low-risk’ traveller.

To expedite the process, several countries including Germany, Singapore and the UK have a “partner country” arrangement allowing their own citizens to be eligible for a Global Entry pass.

This allows those nations to operate their own pre-screening program – for example, UK citizens “must first apply with the UK Home Office” for local vetting “before submitting a Global Entry application”

Australia would likely have to establish its own system of pre-screening before Australian citizens could apply for Global Entry.