MPC - Mobile Passport Control Might be your new best travel friend!

by Wendy Fracchia

If you’ve ever stood in a long customs line after an international flight, jet-lagged and dreaming of your bed (or the beach), you’ve probably wished there was a faster way through. Good news: there is—and you’ve got options. Two of the most popular tools for speeding up re-entry into the U.S. are TSA Global Entry and the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. While both can save you time at the airport, they’re built for different types of travelers and come with different price tags. Here’s a quick, no-fluff breakdown to help you decide which one fits your travel style best.

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Global Entry:  A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S.

How it works:  

  • You use dedicated kiosks at select airports when entering the U.S.
  • Includes TSA PreCheck for quicker security screening on domestic flights.

Cost:

💵 $100 (valid fo"r 5 years)

✅ Includes TSA PreCheck ($78 value on its own)

Pros:

  • Speeds up both international re-entry and domestic TSA lines.
  • Works at many international airports across the U.S.
  • Can be used at land borders and some seaports.

Cons:

  • Requires an application, background check, and interview (which can take weeks or months to schedule).
  • Costs more upfront.

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📱 Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App

What it is: A free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that lets you submit your passport and customs info via your smartphone when entering the U.S.

How it works:

  • Available at over 30 U.S. international airports and several cruise ports.
  • You fill out your customs declaration in the app and receive a QR code to show at a designated MPC lane.

Cost:

💸 Free (no annual fee, no application process)

Pros:

  • No application, background check, or interview required.
  • Can be used immediately—just download and go.
  • Great option for casual or infrequent international travelers.

Cons:

  • Only works at participating airports and cruise ports.
  • No TSA PreCheck benefits.
  • Lines may not always be shorter than Global Entry.

✈️ Which One Should You Choose?

So here’s our take: if you're a frequent international traveler who also wants to breeze through TSA security at home, Global Entry is a no-brainer. It’s good for five years from your approval date, and the TSA PreCheck benefit alone makes it worth it—no shoe removal, no laptop juggling, and usually much shorter lines (especially handy if you're the type who cuts it close!).

But if you're more of an occasional explorer or a budget-conscious adventurer, the Mobile Passport Control app is a total game-changer. It’s completely free, super easy to use, and can be downloaded and activated the moment you land back in the U.S. We recommend it to all our group travelers—it consistently turns them into the savvy ones skipping right past those long, post-flight immigration lines.

Honestly? That kind of efficiency earns the MPC app a spot as your new best travel friend. Whether you're crossing borders monthly or just once in a while, there’s a smart, speedy option out there for you!