Mobile Passport App

[easyboy]

At Miami International Airport, Mobile Passport uses the same line as Global Entry, they do not wait in any immigration lines at all. As for customs, at least currently, and for the last 7 months or so, customs is a walk-through, o agents collecting forms, etc as for most people, it's done via APC, Global Entry or Mobile passport, where your immigration and customs form are one, turned in upstairs at immigration. So, you then head down, pick up luggage and go through the doors to outside. There are still agents downstairs at exit and milling about, dogs, etc but they aren't collecting forms - as no one has them - and there's no lines, etc..

So, essentially, if you frequented an airport covered by Mobile Passport, you could save a decent amount of time on arrival from overseas.. However it doesn't come with TSA pre-check, and it isn't at all airports and sometimes the line is closed..

On my last flight through MIA, a gentleman who disembarked flight with me had Mobile Passport, so we had talked about it on the plane. He used his mobile passport and inured the APC kiosks, and we were hitting baggage claim about 6 minute apart, he got there first. Lines were average for APC so it didn't save an inordinate amount of time, but he was about 2 minutes ahead of those with Global Entry as they had to walk past APC machines to the GE machines, then proceed in...

Long story short, it's a handy tool - and free, so why not, especially if you'll be using any of the airports that have MP...

Good points to consider. Thanks fo sharing.

[CineGraphic]

Port Everglades is trialing this for cruise arrivals as well.

 

I've downloaded and installed the app, and unless I'm missing something, I don't see how to use it when arriving at Port Everglades.

The app only gives me the option of saying that I'm flying into FLL.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Yeah, that's what I saw too. The mobile app has it's limitations. That's why we just figured we'll bite the bullet and get the GE.

[Trekker2016]

From what I gather so far from reading most of the responses here, you are only talking of faster access via the mobile passport. I have GE and it is well worth for me because I travel overseas sometimes two or three times a year excluding my annual trek back home to Melbourne (Australia) to visit my house and my family (3 kids and grandchild).

 

GE is different in a way because when one applies for one, your record with Homeland Security will also include any record/s from the CIA/FBI and any other authorities like the police, etc., as well as overseas like the Interpol to make sure you are not one of those illegal aliens who wanted to do harm to this country and its people. This explains the fast checkout to the airport without having to show your quart bag, remove your shoes, etc.

 

I remember looking at my interviewer when I applied for American citizenship and she brought my record out to add to the file I already have. My eyes questioned the almost 4" thick block of papers that has my name on it and then at the end of the interview she added her interview notes, exam result, etc. amongst my file...

 

These are all worth it for me because, like anyone, I do not like lines very much having missed my flight once or twice and arriving at my destination in the middle of the night, early morning because I was delayed at LA customs.

 

The only advantage I can see of a Mobile Passport is that you cannot possibly lose your actual passport itself.

 

Sorry for my English as I am not a native English speaker have to slightly think of how to interpret what I am saying to an English that will be understandable to native English readers and thinkers.

Cheers.

[Nhsaltshaker]

Not sure this will help anyone, but I found this video...

 

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/video-gallery/2015/01/how-expedite-your-entry

[IECalCruiser]

On the cbp.gov website it states that for Global Entry "The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit." Is that not the case? In the FAQ section it states "If the kiosk receipt has an "X" printed on it, you must report to a CBP officer at the nearest staffed CBP Passport Control booth." and if you have declared something the receipt will be marked with an "O" and after you collect your luggage you need to meet with an officer to discuss the declaration.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited September 4, 2016 by IECalCruiser

[Av8tor]

I've downloaded and installed the app, and unless I'm missing something, I don't see how to use it when arriving at Port Everglades.

The app only gives me the option of saying that I'm flying into FLL.

 

Yeah, that's what I saw too. The mobile app has it's limitations. That's why we just figured we'll bite the bullet and get the GE.

 

Back in post #19 I already noted that so far the app is only set up for airports, cruise ports haven't been included/activated yet...

[chamima]

On the cbp.gov website it states that for Global Entry "The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit." Is that not the case? In the FAQ section it states "If the kiosk receipt has an "X" printed on it, you must report to a CBP officer at the nearest staffed CBP Passport Control booth." and if you have declared something the receipt will be marked with an "O" and after you collect your luggage you need to meet with an officer to discuss the declaration.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

I just came back into the country using Global Entry.

My receipt had an X on it. (I had a lot of trouble giving my fingerprints in the original sign-up and knew that was again the problem. ) I was sent to the front of the passport control line and the (really nice) attendant gave me some suggestions for getting my fingerprint to work and sent me quickly on my way.

[azbirdmom]

A HUGE thank you to trbarton for this post. I downloaded the app immediately after seeing this post and used it for the first time at terminal 2 in Port Everglades yesterday. I had forgotten about it but the disembarkation flyer from Princess actually had a blurb about it.

 

After retrieving our luggage, we saw the huge regular line and asked one of the port workers where the line was for Mobile Passport. She asked to see the receipt on my phone which I had completed while we were waiting to disembark. She opened up the gate to the left of the Global Entry and escorted us right up to the officer, much to the chagrin of the couple dozen folks in the Global Entry line. It was the fastest we've gotten out of there. Thanks again for sharing this information as I would not have known about it otherwise. :D

Edited November 21, 2016 by azbirdmom

[trbarton]

[*]SIZE

="4"]51600521[/size]]A HUGE thank you to trbarton for this post. I downloaded the app immediately after seeing this post and used it for the first time at terminal 2 in Port Everglades yesterday. I had forgotten about it but the disembarkation flyer from Princess actually had a blurb about it.

 

After retrieving our luggage' date=' we saw the huge regular line and asked one of the port workers where the line was for Mobile Passport. She asked to see the receipt on my phone which I had completed while we were waiting to disembark. She opened up the gate to the left of the Global Entry and escorted us right up to the officer, much to the chagrin of the couple dozen folks in the Global Entry line. It was the fastest we've gotten out of there. Thanks again for sharing this information as I would not have known about it otherwise. :D[/quote']

 

Thank you for your post & thanks. That's what Cruise Critic is about.

 

Tom

Edited November 21, 2016 by trbarton

[Av8tor]

A HUGE thank you to trbarton for this post. I downloaded the app immediately after seeing this post and used it for the first time at terminal 2 in Port Everglades yesterday. I had forgotten about it but the disembarkation flyer from Princess actually had a blurb about it.

 

After retrieving our luggage, we saw the huge regular line and asked one of the port workers where the line was for Mobile Passport. She asked to see the receipt on my phone which I had completed while we were waiting to disembark. She opened up the gate to the left of the Global Entry and escorted us right up to the officer, much to the chagrin of the couple dozen folks in the Global Entry line. It was the fastest we've gotten out of there. Thanks again for sharing this information as I would not have known about it otherwise. :D

 

Is your phone an I-phone? I use android phones and the FLL port is not listed in the Mobile Passport app I have. The FLL airport is listed, but not the cruiseport. Hopefully I can still use it in January or perhaps they'll have an update by then...

[pablo222]

Is your phone an I-phone? I use android phones and the FLL port is not listed in the Mobile Passport app I have. The FLL airport is listed, but not the cruiseport. Hopefully I can still use it in January or perhaps they'll have an update by then...

 

In the comments, the developer seems to say the port

will be available next month.

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.mobilepassport

[pklein9747]

We got off the Regal Princess on Nov 20 in Port Everglades at Terminal 2. We have Global Entry but I also downloaded the Mobile Passport. Since this is the first time we have cruised with Global Entry or the Mobile Passport, we waited in line with about a thousand other people (Immigration was very backed up. We were in a snaking line near the luggage!!)

 

When we got closer to the room where immigration is, I heard a port employee asking if anyone had Mobile Passport or Global Entry. I left my husband in line and went up to tell him we had GE. He asked to see our card. When I showed it to him, he told me to just go through to the GE line. Ran back to get hubby, and to the chagrin of about 100 people, just waltzed right past them and got in the GE very short GE line. I told them I also had Mobile Passport (only 4 people in that line!) and was told that if you have GE you don't need Mobile Passport. Since there were probably over 200 people in the immigration waiting room, I figured we saved ourselves a good 30-45 minutes :) Next time, I'll know not to wait in any long line and just head to GE.

[trbarton]

We got off the Regal Princess on Nov 20 in Port Everglades at Terminal 2. We have Global Entry but I also downloaded the Mobile Passport. Since this is the first time we have cruised with Global Entry or the Mobile Passport, we waited in line with about a thousand other people (Immigration was very backed up. We were in a snaking line near the luggage!!)

 

When we got closer to the room where immigration is, I heard a port employee asking if anyone had Mobile Passport or Global Entry. I left my husband in line and went up to tell him we had GE. He asked to see our card. When I showed it to him, he told me to just go through to the GE line. Ran back to get hubby, and to the chagrin of about 100 people, just waltzed right past them and got in the GE very short GE line. I told them I also had Mobile Passport (only 4 people in that line!) and was told that if you have GE you don't need Mobile Passport. Since there were probably over 200 people in the immigration waiting room, I figured we saved ourselves a good 30-45 minutes :) Next time, I'll know not to wait in any long line and just head to GE.

 

I read that there is supposed to be signs that say "Mobile Passport", "Global Entry" directing you where to go. Did you see any signs? Here's what the web site says "Skip the regular line and follow the signs for Mobile Passport Control."

 

Thanks!

 

Tom😎

[pklein9747]

I read that there is supposed to be signs that say "Mobile Passport", "Global Entry" directing you where to go. Did you see any signs? Here's what the web site says "Skip the regular line and follow the signs for Mobile Passport Control."

 

Thanks!

 

Tom😎

 

Yes, when we got closer to the room where you see the immigration officers, there were signs there directing you to the line for Mobile Passport or Global Entry. The problem was that the line was so long last Sunday that we were no where near there and there was no one further back asking if anyone had GE or MP.

[metairiegal]

I have just found out about the Mobile Passport App. But, I'm confused! We already have Global Entry - so do I need this, too?

[caribill]

I have just found out about the Mobile Passport App. But, I'm confused! We already have Global Entry - so do I need this, too?

 

Need it? No. GE will work as it has all along.

 

Sometimes having it can help as there have been reports that sometimes there are shorter lines for using it than the GE lines.

[metairiegal]

Need it? No. GE will work as it has all along.

 

Sometimes having it can help as there have been reports that sometimes there are shorter lines for using it than the GE lines.

 

Thanks. Maybe I phrased it wrong instead of saying do I "need" this - I should have asked should I get this, too?

 

And, I read this on another thread:

 

"It's a FREE app for your smart phone, so why not? If you have both, you'll be ready to just get into whichever line is shorter. Just don't press "Submit" on the Mobile Passport app until you're sure that's the method you'll use (it only takes a few seconds to complete the process) since I'm not sure if GE will work properly if you already have submitted a MP transaction."

__________________

[Grego]

We received our GE earlier this year and, even though we have traveled a couple of times since then, we haven't had to use it. However, we still see the big benefit for us living in Florida and cruising out of PE often to use the GE to bypass the long lines at disembarkation.

We know the kiosks at Terminal 2 but haven't heard if they are there at the other possible Princess terminal she uses.

It will be interesting to see if the mobile passport and GE increase in number of users will the "normal" lines be shorter.

[thinfool]

Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is that

 

GE is for immigration -verifying citizenship, fingerprints, etc.

 

MobilePP is for customs - listing all those 'real deals' and souvenirs you bought while you were out of the US.

 

While both are handled by the same officer upon entry, my impression is that the two items will complement each other rather than being either/or.

 

Am I on the wrong track?

[lstone19]

Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is that

 

GE is for immigration -verifying citizenship, fingerprints, etc.

 

MobilePP is for customs - listing all those 'real deals' and souvenirs you bought while you were out of the US.

 

While both are handled by the same officer upon entry, my impression is that the two items will complement each other rather than being either/or.

 

Am I on the wrong track?

 

Yes, you are on the wrong track. GE handles both*. I assume Mobile Passport does as well. When you answer the questions on the GE kiosk, the first are Immigration related; the last are Customs related.

 

Also, they are not necessarily handled by the same officer. At most airports, you first go through Immigration with one officer, then claim bags (or walk through if you have no checked bags, then go through Customs with a second officer. With GE, the kiosk is before Immigration but you then take the form it printed with you through both.

 

* Mostly OT but after getting GE and the demo of how to use it, the first place I used it was Guam. Guam, as a U.S. territory rather than a state, has its own Customs separate from U.S. Customs so GE at the airport there is only used for the Immigration piece (it's still U.S. Immigration there). So of course, my experience was completely different from the demo and it still required regular Customs processing.

[azbirdmom]

Yes I have an iPhone. I had uploaded my passport as well as my husband's to my phone. Mobile Passport has the same questions that are on the blue immigration paper that you get on the ship.

 

At terminal 2, the GE line is to the far right if you're looking at the booths. The Mobile Passport line is to the left of that. And the regular line is to the far left There were very tiny signs designating which was which at the start of the lines. Best advice is to immediately ask one of the Princess workers in the luggage area where you should go.

 

I imagine that the Mobile Passport lines will grow as more folks catch on and after they release a version for Android. But for now it's a fantastic way to quickly get through immigration.

[floridalover5623]

I asked the guys in Ft Lauderdale about it & so far they said it doesn't save much time at all. Unless they create a special line & it moves faster than the regular line what good does it do? You still have to wait till you reach the machine to swipe your passport with an agent standing there. At term 2 this month there were the usual number of agents + the GE line and there was no increase in the speed to go through the line.

Confused. :confused:

[azbirdmom]

I asked the guys in Ft Lauderdale about it & so far they said it doesn't save much time at all. Unless they create a special line & it moves faster than the regular line what good does it do? You still have to wait till you reach the machine to swipe your passport with an agent standing there. At term 2 this month there were the usual number of agents + the GE line and there was no increase in the speed to go through the line.

Confused. :confused:

 

There is a special line at terminal 2 and I was in it. Well actually no line based on my experience - but there was a completely separate lane for Mobile Passport.

[34TigerLily]

They do charge more for GE, $100 vs $80 or $85 for pre-check. You do get an actual GE card. Though, in my limited experience, I haven't shown/used the GE card yet.

 

We'll have to wait and see.

 

We needed to show our Global Entry card when we went through US customs in Vancouver when our cruise ended in Vancouver.