English
English
English
Updated on 28.03.2025
At select US airports, passport control points are available to US travelers to simplify entry into the US. We explain who can use these special passport control points and what mobile passport control is all about.
Share article:
The Automated Passport Control (APC) program of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows certain US travelers expedited clearance at the border.
Travelers can handle part of the entry procedure themselves at special self-service terminals, so-called Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks, in designated areas. This includes scanning passports, submitting customs declarations and recording biometric data. This electronic system simplifies and speeds up border control when entering the USA.
The use of the automated passport control points is free of charge and requires – in contrast to the Global Entry Program – no pre-registration and should not be confused with it.
Travelers to the USA can scan their passport directly at one of the entry machines and also submit the customs declaration there (no paper form required). After taking a photo and answering a few security questions at the machine, a confirmation will be printed out.
However, this procedure does not completely eliminate the interview with the US immigration officer at the border, as the US traveler must still present his or her passport and the printed receipt to the border officials.
Regular clearance is of course still possible – however, the procedure at the machines significantly reduces waiting times on entry and speeds up the entry process.
Please note that the APC terminals are only available to certain US travelers. These include:
This means that the APC program is reserved for persons entering the country without a visa and selected visa holders.
In the wake of stricter entry requirements under the "Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015." are, among others, persons from the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) excluded who have been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen since March 1, 2011.
Even when entering the country using the electronic passport control system (APC), entries from the past 5 years will be checked once again. If VWP travelers confirm a trip to one or more of the countries just mentioned at the self-service terminal, visa-free entry to the United States with ESTA can still be denied on site at the border. Affected individuals will then require a B-1 / B-2 visa to enter the US.
Automated entry is not available to holders of a work visa. US visa holders who do not have a valid B-1 / B-2, C-1/D or D visa in their passport must therefore use the regular entry procedure and cannot use these new passport control points.
If visa holders who are exempt from APC still attempt to enter via automated passport control points, they may only receive a visa waiver status and not the status based on their US visa.
Automated passport control is currently available at 40 US airports (as of spring 2025). An overview of US airports equipped with APC terminals can be found on the official website of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) enables eligible travelers to submit their passport and customs declaration data via a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device. For example, customs forms no longer need to be completed by hand, but can be conveniently processed using a smartphone. Using MPC streamlines the traveler's entry process into the United States by reducing passport control time and overall wait time.
As with automated passport control (APC), the use of the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) program is also possible free of charge and requires no prior authorization.
Travelers using an authorized U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) MPC app no longer need to fill out a paper form or use an APC kiosk. This results in shorter wait times, less congestion and more efficient processing.
The processing of entry formalities via mobile devices is currently reserved for the following persons:
MPC is currently available at the 33 U.S. international airports, 14 preclearance airports abroad and 4 seaports (as of Spring 2025). Current information can be found on the official website of the CBP.
The CBP Mobile Passport Control App is free of charge and is available for travelers to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Alternatively, there are the following authorized apps: Mobile Passport App from the provider Airside Mobile or the CLEAR Pass for CBP Mobile Passport Control App which were developed in cooperation with CBP.
These apps are also free to use, but travelers have the option to pay for premium features (e.g. scanning the machine readable zone (MRZ) of the passport or saving a traveler's profile). These additional functions are not required by CBP and CBP does not charge any fees for them from the providers.
Whether Mobile Passport Control (MPC), Automated Passport Control (APC) or Global Entry – automated entry procedures make a significant contribution to speeding up border control at US airports.
While MPC is particularly attractive for occasional travelers without prior registration, APC kiosks offer uncomplicated processing directly at the airport.
For frequent travelers with regular stays in the United States, however, Global Entry is recommended: after successful registration, users benefit from particularly short waiting times and preferential entry clearance.
Which solution is most suitable in each individual case depends on the travel activity, the individual profile and the technical requirements.
Are you planning regular business trips to the USA or are you interested in a Global Entry registration? Our US Visa Service team will advise you on your options and support you with the application process.
Date:
We and our partners use cookies to store and retrieve personally identifiable information, such as browsing data, to provide and personalize content and advertising, and to analyze website usage and improve the user experience. You can learn more about the purposes for which we and our partners use cookies by clicking on the "Cookie Settings" button below. All settings can also be changed here. Subsequently, you can reconsider your cookie selection or revoke your consent at any time by clicking on the cookie settings link in the footer of our website. Please note that blocking some cookie types may have our ability to provide content tailored to your interests or may limit the availability of some website features.
By clicking "Accept All Cookies" you consent to our use and sharing of your information with our partners.