Aussies can fast track through US airports with this secret weapon

Some US airports are notorious for long queues at passport control, but there’s a shortcut in store for some Australians via the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app.

It puts eligible Australians on a fast track through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) queues, provided they meet specific conditions.

The initial requirement is to hold an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver. Eligible travellers must also be returning visitors who have previously used their ESTA to enter the US. Provided your waiver remains current, you can download and use the free MPC app for entry.

A US Customs and Border Protection officer checks a visitor’s passport and paperwork at Los Angeles International Airport.Credit: AP

The process is fairly simple. After downloading the app from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store, create a profile by entering your passport information. On arrival, activate the app, select “US airport” and the arrival airport. It’s essential to have a cellular data connection to initiate the process.

The next step is to take a selfie, complete a customs declaration, submit that information and present your passport to a CBP officer to finalise entry. With the app, instead of joining what could be a lengthening queue of incoming passengers, you can use a dedicated, much shorter MPC line to reach passport control.

There are currently 34 US international airports where incoming passengers can use the CBP app. The list includes all the major destinations for one-stop flights from Australia, such as Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

Useful as it is, the MPC app is a poor cousin to the US’ Global Entry program, which expedites clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers on arrival. Some travellers have reported unmanned CBP facilities at US airports, but that’s never the case with Global Entry lanes.

From January, Global Entry will be available to a limited number of Australians who travel frequently to the US. Eligible Australians who sign up to the Global Entry program will benefit from streamlined and accelerated immigration and customs clearance channels on arrival. If this initial stage is a success, Global Entry will become available to more Australians visiting the US.