Entry into the US has been much more smoother!

*Some content was updated on March 3, 2025.

What is the MPC app?

MPC (Mobile Passport Control) is a service provided by the U.S. Border Patrol (CBP) to simplify the entry process for travelers into the United States and shorten waiting times at immigration. By downloading the app to your smartphone and registering the information required for travel and customs declaration in the app in advance, you can proceed to the MPC dedicated lane during immigration inspection, allowing for smooth, paperless entry into the country. As of December 2024, the app is available in Japanese, making it easier to use and apply for.

Who can use the MPC app and under what conditions?

Currently, the conditions for using the app are people who meet any of the four criteria above.

Green card holders, also known as permanent resident cards, fall into the second category, and most Japanese tourists fall into the fourth category. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization system that allows entry without obtaining a visa, and travelers who wish to stay in the United States for short periods of 90 days or less are required to apply for it. When using the MPC app, please note that those who are applying for ESTA for the first time cannot use the MPC app. Only those who have applied for ESTA and are traveling to the United States for the second time or more are eligible to use the MPC app.

How to use the MPC app

From here, we will explain how to use the MPC app step by step using actual screens.

*This article refers to operations on an iPhone.
*Some steps may vary depending on the device and version.

Download the MPC app here
Google Play / App Store

First, download the MPC app from Google Play or the App Store onto the smartphone you will use during your trip.

Follow the on-screen instructions, select whether or not to enable the app's notification function, and finally tap "Let's go" to proceed to immigration procedures.

If you want to create a new entry plan, select "New submission."

Next, let's talk about how to enter the U.S. If you are traveling by plane, select "Airplane."

Select the airport you will enter through. Tap "CBP Port" to display the airports, then select or search for the appropriate airport.

Enter the traveler's information. You can also enter the information of your companions here, but you will enter the representative's or your own information first, so tap "Select person".

When you tap the "+ (plus sign)" that appears on the next screen, you will be presented with two options: "Scan document" or "Start over."

"Scan Document" allows you to open your passport and take a picture of it with your smartphone, and the passenger's information will be automatically read. Tap "Open Scanner" to start the camera. If you have your passport in hand, this is the easier way to register.

If you select "Start over," you will need to manually enter your name, gender, and date of birth. You will also need to register your passport information. When you tap the green + sign at the bottom of "Add travel document," you will see "Scan document" and "Manual input." "Scan document" follows the same process as the automatic passport scan mentioned above.

If you select "Manual Entry", you will need to manually enter the information on your passport. In "Type", you will be presented with two options: passport or green card (LPR Card). If you are a traveler, select passport. "Document Number" refers to the passport number, so enter the two-digit English number and seven-digit number on your passport.

Next, select your nationality in "Country of issue". Search for "Japan" or select Japan from the list. For "Expiration date", enter the expiration date written on your passport. Once you have entered the information, tap "Save" to save the information.

Once you have completed entering all the information, a star will appear in the "Passport" column of "Travel documents" to indicate that your information is complete.

When the message "Please set a PIN" appears, set a four-digit PIN. After that, a screen will appear asking how you want to log in to the app. Depending on the model, you can set it to log in to the app using face recognition or fingerprint recognition, but if you don't need this, tap "Skip." These settings will only be done the first time.

If you have family members accompanying you, you can add them by selecting "Select People."

Once you have finished entering everyone's names, make sure there is a check mark to the left of their name and tap "Done" in the upper right. You can register up to 12 companions.

A security message will be displayed. It explains that the registered information will be sent to the US Border Patrol (CBP), so scroll down to the bottom, read it, and tap "Agree."

Next, answer the question about the purpose of your trip. When you tap the selection, two options will be displayed: "Business" and "Leisure." If you are a tourist, select the second option, "Leisure," and tap "Next." By the way, "Business" is for business visa exemptions.

Once you have completed this registration, you will be asked six questions by customs, and you will answer "yes" or "no." There are questions about whether you have commercial goods, whether you have more than $10,000 in currency or foreign currency equivalent, etc., and unless you are in a special situation, you will answer "no."

Once you have answered all the questions and confirmed that there are no mistakes, tap "Nothing to declare." This is all the application preparation you can do before traveling, and the rest of the work will be done after you arrive at the airport in the United States.

When you arrive at an airport in the United States, you will be asked, "Have you arrived at XXX Airport?" Turn on your smartphone's data connection or connect to Wi-Fi, open the app, and select "Yes, submit now."

You will then be asked to take a photo of your face. Be sure to remove any hats, sunglasses, or masks, and take the photo in a bright location with a simple background. When you're ready, tap "Open Camera" to allow access to your camera.

If you are traveling with multiple people, please take the photo starting with the person whose name appears on the screen.
Take a photo so that your face fits into the square area displayed on the screen, and if it's OK, select "Use photo." Next, take a photo of your companion.

Once the photo shoot is complete, an "MPC receipt" valid for four hours will be displayed. Proceed to the MPC lane at immigration, present your passport and show the MPC receipt screen to complete the process.

MPC Dedicated Lanes: Daniel K. Inouye Airport (Honolulu, Hawaii)

[As of 2025] At what airports can the MPC app be used?

According to the CBP official website, the MPC app is currently available at 53 locations in the United States, including 35 international airports, 14 pre-clearance locations, and 4 ports of entry. It can be used at most international airports with many Japanese tourists, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Hawaii. Some airports are not supported, so please check in advance whether the airport you plan to travel to supports the app by checking the official website below or the "View supported areas" at the bottom of the first screen of the app.

Web: CBP official website (foreign language site)

Benefits of the MPC app

The MPC app has the following five benefits, which simplify immigration procedures:

Significantly reduce immigration times

The biggest attraction of the MPC app is that it shortens the time it takes to enter the country. At airports with many tourists, you may have to wait 1-2 hours for immigration. Shorter waiting times reduce the fatigue of long flights and also lead to longer stays at the destination. As a result, you can start your trip sooner and enjoy a more efficient trip.

It's free to use and simple to operate

The MPC app itself is free to download and use. In addition, the app is easy to use and input can be completed in about 5 minutes.

Can also be used during transfers

For example, you can use it if you have a connecting flight at an airport in the US, such as New York via Hawaii. You won't have to worry about missing your flight because of the time it takes to go through the screening process.

The representative can add information about all family members and accompanying persons to the application form.

Another convenient feature is to consolidate the information of all accompanying persons on a single application form. All you need to know is their name, and you can register them easily without having to go through the trouble of checking passport numbers or passport expiry dates for family members.

Traveler information can be saved so you can use it on your next trip to the US

Once registered, traveler information can be saved, making the application process easier the next time, which is extremely useful for repeat visitors to the United States.

Notes on the MPC app

On the other hand, the following points should be noted:

It cannot be used by those applying for ESTA for the first time to enter the U.S.

As mentioned in the "Who can use the MPC app?" section, please note that it cannot be used by people who are applying for ESTA for the first time and entering the United States. In other words, people who are traveling to the United States for the first time cannot use it.

You will need a mobile device with communication capabilities

To use the app, you need a mobile device with data communication capabilities, such as a smartphone. Even if you register your travel information before leaving the country, there are steps you need to take after arriving at the airport, such as taking photos, and there are situations where you need to connect to the local internet or Wi-Fi. Therefore, people who are not familiar with using smartphones may find it inconvenient.

Cannot be used if the scheduled landing airport is changed to another airport

If the scheduled landing airport is changed due to bad weather or other reasons, the app cannot be used because the new airport differs from the one registered in advance.

Use the MPC app to enter the country smartly

The MPC app is not yet well known because only a limited number of people can use it. It has its benefits and some points to be aware of, but its appeal is that it digitizes time-consuming tasks and allows you to complete the necessary applications in advance, significantly shortening the time it takes to enter the country. The MPC app allows you to get your trip off to a smooth start, making it a very useful tool for traveling to the mainland United States and Hawaii. Use the app to enjoy a stress-free and comfortable trip.

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