Many of you already use TSA Precheck when traveling domestically to speed the process of boarding aircraft. You can often use at foreign international airports too.

Some of you use Global Entry for international travel to speed up the process of getting through Customs, especially when you return to the U.S.

Did you know that there is another option to speed up the process of going through passport control when you return to the United States if you don’t have Global Entry?

It is called Mobil Passport. No, it does not replace your passport or Global Entry, but it does replace filling out the paper form upon your  return to the U.S. so that you can move more quickly through the Customs and Border Control process. Best of all, is that it’s FREE.

You can have both Global Entry and Mobil Passport but you must decide which one you will use to enter the US.  Keep in mind that if you have completed and activated your Mobil Passport, then you have already started the passport control process and you will have to go to the Mobil Passport line. You cannot go to the Global Entry line as they will end up sending you to a supervisor to deal with you trying to enter the country twice. That could mean quite a delay in getting through the process.

You could fill out all of the info in Mobil Passport while on the airplane and wait until you enter the passport control room to decide to go to Global Entry or complete the process with Mobil Passport based upon the shortest line. You will still need to wait to receive the response on your phone before getting in the line.  Either way, the line will be much shorter than the very long line for those who didn’t get set up with Global Entry or Mobil Passport before their trip.

Now, back to Mobil Passport.

It is pretty simple. Just go to Google Play or the Apple Store to download the app, scan your passport into the app and fill out some info. You can put your whole household on one phone.  I would suggest that you do it on your phone as well as your partner’s phone, just in case one of the phones is lost or damaged on your trip. The info will be held on your phone and it is password protected.

When you return to the U.S., turn on your phone and use the app to answer the questions that you would have answered on the paper form that the flight attendant may have given you. You will receive a QR code to be scanned by the Customs and Border Protection system.

It is pretty straight-forward. In fact, after you have landed and are headed to the terminal on the taxi way, just turn on your phone, open the app and answer the questions. You will probably have your QR code before you get off the plane and you will be ready to go. The info is good for 4 hours. Make sure you do this before you start responding to your emails or you may not get the QR code response before you get to Passport Control.  Remember, you cannot go to the Global Entry line after you have sent your info to Customs and Border Control with your Mobile Passport as they will end up sending you to a supervisor to deal with you trying to enter the country twice. That could mean quite a delay in getting through the process.

For more info, click here.

They are only live at 24 airports and one cruise terminal so far. Keep in mind that you will go through customs at the airport where you first debark when you return to the U.S. For example, if you land in Dallas and change planes to go on to Sacramento, you will go through customs in Dallas, not Sacramento. Look for that airport below.

Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

• Packing Checklist
• Parent Authorization Letter For Unaccompanied Minors
• Medical Treatment Authorization Letter
• Travel With Minors-Permission Letter

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!