Mobile Passport Control: Free Global Entry Alternative

Mobile Passport is an alternative to Global Entry that now works in 35 airports. In 2019 Mobile Passport added premium features that cost $14.99 a year, these features were just features that used to be free. There is now a new app called Mobile Passport Control that has replaced Mobile Passport is free and replicates those features that used to be free on the old app (such as storing your passport and the document scanner).

From what I can tell this launched in June 2021 but probably didn’t get much coverage due to COVID.

Hat tip to daloman

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

18 Comments
newest
oldest most voted

Tim
Tim (@guest_1393487)
June 10, 2022 16:45

Does anyone know if it works for young children traveling with their parents? I assume both parents can have the app downloaded and do it for their own passports but what about a child’s? I skimmed the website and didn’t see any mention of kids

Ivan X
Ivan X (@guest_1393158)
June 9, 2022 21:42

It’s been a really useful part of my life since my wife-equivalent has thus far been denied for GE. Works pretty well! I do remember when this change was made, though I haven’t used it since. Good to hear they have brought back the useful features for free.

Harcourt Fenton Mudd
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (@guest_1393140)
June 9, 2022 20:47

I don’t get it. It scanned my passport just fine, but it’s only valid for 4 hours prior to entry to the US? So what is the actual advantage of using it? I’d have to have my passport in hand…in order to activate it in the app? What am I not understanding…?

JMR0303
JMR0303 (@guest_1393168)
June 9, 2022 21:52

You use it when you land but before you legally “enter” the US. Plane touches down, you scan your passport, then when the door opens and you’re allowed to get off the plane, you go straight to the “mobile passport control” area and skip the regular line.

Harcourt Fenton Mudd
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (@guest_1393216)
June 10, 2022 01:39

Thanks. So it gives me access to the shorter line. I may try it. I have a trip coming up, and I fly into ORD coming back.

Jester
Jester (@guest_1393025)
June 9, 2022 16:02

Just flew in to ORD internationally yesterday and no mobile passport. Breezed right through with global entry and felt darn good skipping a 600 person backed up Que. Then i sat at baggage return for 25 minutes anyways lol.

Teri
Teri (@guest_1392955)
June 9, 2022 12:55

Global Entry > everything else.
GE is so good, you no longer need to show your passport. Imagine that: entering the US without your passport. The kiosks just takes your photo and knows who you are. Then take the receipt and hand it to the CBP officer at the exit. Even if it can’t recognize you, just go to the CBP officer and explain the kiosk didnt recognize you. The officer will take your photo again. It works 100% of the time.

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_1392962)
June 9, 2022 13:07

Ymmv. Since the kiosk authenticates using a photo instead of fingerprint, there was an agent asking to see my passport all the time, at various airports.

Maria
Maria (@guest_1393010)
June 9, 2022 15:35

Uh, you still need a passport to enter the US because there’s no way you would be able to leave without one.

Jungu Beans
Jungu Beans (@guest_1393074)
June 9, 2022 17:57

Leaving USA does not require a passport. You could hold a passport from another country, enter that other country with that second passport, and return without ever needing to show your US passport. I agree with the original comment – global entry is a breeze now. Even when the kiosk fails to recognize me, I am waved through every time without any fuss or hassle.

Teri
Teri (@guest_1393093)
June 9, 2022 18:35

@Maria. You don’t think travelers lose or misplace their passports somewhere between the plane and immigration? It happens more often than you think.

Brandon Warf
Brandon Warf (@guest_1393124)
June 9, 2022 19:54

Teri said no need to *show* your passport. No one’s advising not having it at all

satellite
satellite (@guest_1392926)
June 9, 2022 11:54

Mobile passport is not a 1:1 alternative to Global entry since it’s for US citizens only. Global entry can be used by permanent residents (green card holders) and nationals of certain countries (like India).

Teri
Teri (@guest_1393109)
June 9, 2022 19:19

Also, Global Entry gives you reciprocal access to other countries’ trusted traveler programs in Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and UK.

John
John (@guest_1392919)
June 9, 2022 11:42

I tried using this at MCO last week and they told me to pound sand. Went through showing my passport.

YoniPDX
YoniPDX (@guest_1393951)
June 11, 2022 18:03

Had Similar experience
DEN in April
HOU in February

Never had problem Pre-COVID

Matthew
Matthew (@guest_1392913)
June 9, 2022 11:27

I tried it recently entering ORD. There used to be a special line for mobile passport but it’s still shut down they said. I think the CBP agent maybe had access to the questions I already answered but it wasn’t clear. Oh well, it takes just a couple minutes to do on the plane and if it helps speed up processing somehow, fine by me. Before COVID the special line they used was consistently short and quick to get through.

B
B (@guest_1392894)
June 9, 2022 10:55

Works for entry into the US via these airports & cruise ship ports:

Atlanta (ATL) – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Baltimore (BWI) – Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Boston (BOS) – Boston Logan International Airport
Chicago (ORD) – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Dallas (DFW) – Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Denver (DEN) – Denver International Airport
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Fort Lauderdale (PEV) – Port Everglades Cruise Port
Honolulu (HNL) – Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Houston (IAH) – George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Houston (HOU) – William P. Hobby Airport
Kansas City (MCI) – Kansas City International Airport
Los Angeles (LAX) – Los Angeles International Airport
Miami (MIA) – Miami International Airport
Miami (MSE) – Miami Seaport Cruise Port
Minneapolis (MSP) – Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport
New York City (JFK) – John F. Kennedy International Airport
Newark (EWR) – Newark Liberty International Airport
Oakland (OAK) – Oakland International Airport
Orlando (MCO) – Orlando International Airport
Palm Beach Seaport
Philadelphia (PHL) – Philadelphia International Airport
Phoenix (PHX) – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Pittsburgh (PIT) – Pittsburgh International Airport
Port Everglades Seaport
Portland (PDX) – Portland International Airport
Sacramento (SMF) – Sacramento International Airport
Salt Lake City (SLC) – Salt Lake City International Airport
San Diego (SAN) – San Diego International Airport
San Francisco (SFO) – San Francisco International Airport
San Jose (SJC) – Mineta San Jose International Airport
San Juan (SJU) – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
San Juan (PUE) – Port of San Juan Cruise Port
Seattle (SEA) – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Tampa (TPA) – Tampa International Airport
Washington Dulles (IAD) – Dulles International Airpot