Mobile Passport Control Expands to Houston Airports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Sept. 30, announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). With the addition of IAH and HOU, Mobile Passport Control is now available to travelers arriving at 20 major international airports. The Mobile Passport app has been downloaded 1 million times over the last two years.

Mobile Passport is the first authorized app to expedite a traveler’s arrival into the United States. Eligible travelers may voluntarily submit their passport information and answers to inspection-related questions to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store andApple App Store. The Mobile Passport app has been downloaded more than 1 million times.

“We set a goal of bringing Mobile Passport Control to 20 airports by the end of 2016 and with the addition of Houston’s two international airports we are meeting that goal in September,” said Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “Mobile Passport Control is a great example of our commitment to making the international arrivals process as efficient, fast and paperless as possible for the millions of travelers who are processed through CBP each year.”

“Through our partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Airside Mobile, Mobile Passport Control was designed to facilitate fast and efficient entry into the United States while maintaining the highest security standards,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “We are thrilled to be at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport this week to celebrate the 20th U.S airport to adopt Mobile Passport as an additional tool to enhance the international arrivals process.  With more than one million passengers having downloaded this innovative tool, we are excited for even more airports to adopt Mobile Passport in the year ahead.”

MPC currently offers U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors a more efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the traveler upon arrival in the United States.  Much like Automated Passport Control (APC) the app does not require pre-approval and is free to use. Travelers who successfully use the app will no longer have to complete a paper form or use an APC kiosk.  As a result, travelers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.

“As international travel continues to grow at Houston’s airports, the Customs facilities at both Bush and Hobby airports play a vital role,” said Saba Abashawl, chief external affairs officer for the Houston Airport System. “That growth would not be possible, nor would we have been as successful in facilitating international trade and tourism to the greater Houston region, if not for the innovative collaboration with our partners in CBP. The Mobile Passport Control program is another revolutionary step forward in this successful journey—and there are more such forward-thinking steps to come.”

“Mobile Passport Control adds another option for international travelers to expedite their processing at Houston’s International Airports,” said Director of Field Operations for Houston Jud Murdock. “Maintaining our critical border security mission while efficiently facilitating legitimate travel is our top priority.”

The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 for eligible travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and has since expanded to 20 airports.

In addition to IAH, HOU and Atlanta, MPC is available to travelers arriving at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport; Boston Logan International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport; Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport; Denver International Airport; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport; John F. Kennedy Airport; Miami International Airport; Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport; Newark International Airport; Orlando International Airport; Raleigh-Durham International Airport; San Francisco International Airport; San Jose International Airport; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Tampa International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.