Four Washington state pedestrian crossings go live with Mobile Passport Control on April 20, expanding a free app that can cut your wait time at 60 entry points across the country.
If you’ve ever stood in a long line at a U.S. port of entry and wondered why crossing the border has to take so long, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has an answer — and it fits in your pocket.
CBP announced on April 20 the expansion of Mobile Passport Control to four pedestrian land border crossings in Washington state: Blaine Peace Arch, Blaine Pacific Highway, Lynden-Aldergrove, and Sumas. The expansion brings MPC to 60 total locations nationwide — and marks the first time the app has been available at land border pedestrian crossings.
What Is Mobile Passport Control and Why Was It Created?
Mobile Passport Control was developed to address one of the most persistent frustrations in international travel: the bottleneck that happens when hundreds of people arrive at the same time and have to be processed one by one by CBP officers. Long before smartphones were a standard travel accessory, CBP had been looking for ways to pre-screen travelers digitally so that the actual inspection process at the border could move faster.
The app allows eligible travelers to submit their passport information and travel details from their mobile device before they ever reach the CBP processing area. When they arrive, much of the data entry work is already done — reducing the time each traveler spends at the officer’s window and, in turn, shortening lines for everyone.
MPC launched at U.S. airports and has steadily expanded to seaports and now, for the first time, land border pedestrian crossings. It is the only CBP-authorized free app for this purpose.
Will It Actually Help You Cross Faster?
Yes — with some nuance. The app does not eliminate the CBP inspection process; you still present your passport to an officer in person. What it does is front-load the information exchange so that the in-person portion moves significantly faster. At busy crossings and airports, MPC users are typically directed to designated lanes that move more quickly than standard processing lines.
The more travelers in your group who use the app, the more time you save. Up to 12 traveler profiles can be submitted in a single MPC transaction, making it especially efficient for families.
The biggest time savings come during peak travel periods — weekends, holidays, and summer travel season — when standard lanes can back up significantly. At crossings like Blaine Peace Arch, which sees heavy traffic between British Columbia and Washington state, MPC can make a real difference.
Who Can Use It
The app is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). It is free to download from both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
International visitors who need an I-94 — the arrival and departure record required for many non-citizen travelers — can now apply for one directly through the MPC app or through the free CBP One mobile app before arriving at the crossing. Completing the I-94 application in advance is one of the most effective ways to reduce wait time at a land port of entry, where I-94 processing has historically added significant time to the crossing experience.
Is MPC Required Anywhere?
Mobile Passport Control is not currently mandatory at any U.S. port of entry — it is an optional lane for eligible travelers who choose to use it. However, some heavily trafficked airports have made MPC lanes the fastest option available outside of Global Entry, and at those locations skipping the app means opting into significantly longer standard processing lines. At major international airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Miami, and Chicago O’Hare, the MPC lane difference during peak hours can be measured in the difference between a 10-minute crossing and a 45-minute wait.
As CBP continues to expand the program — it now covers 35 U.S. international airports, 14 preclearance airport locations, four seaports, and the four new Washington state land crossings — the app is becoming a standard tool for any frequent border crosser.
How to Get Started
Download the free MPC app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create profiles for each member of your travel group using your passport information — you can do this at home before you ever leave for the border. When you arrive at a participating crossing, take a selfie for each person in your group, submit your information through the app, proceed to the designated MPC lane, and present your passport or Permanent Resident card to the CBP officer.
For the full list of participating locations, eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions, visit the MPC website at cbp.gov or search “Mobile Passport Control” in your app store.
“This initiative will streamline entry into the United States for eligible travelers, improving efficiency and reducing congestion at these vital land ports of entry,” said Executive Director Matthew S. Davies of CBP’s Office of Field Operations. “We are dedicated to leveraging innovative technology like MPC to provide a more secure, straightforward, and best-in-class experience for all who enter our nation.”
