The worst part of traveling is coming back to reality. Knowing you need to go back to work the next day is already brutal, but nothing makes it worse than having to wait in a long, winding line just to get back into your home country. Insult to injury, and all that. Lucky for you though, there’s Mobile Passport, one of the best-kept secrets in the travel industry. Just promise not to tell anyone, okay?
What is Mobile Passport?
Mobile Passport is an app for your phone that’s officially registered by the United States Customs and Border Patrol. Basically, it amounts to a mobile version of the customs card that flight attendants pass around—that one that you never have a pen for. The app allows you to pre-file your trip so you don’t need to fill out the card ever again.
How Do I Set It Up?
Simply download the app, which is free to install and free to use. Once downloaded, you’ll be asked to create a profile. Basically, this requires submitting your name, passport number, email address, and some other basic information. The app comes with heavy back-end security, so your info will remain secret.
Why Is It Better?
Okay. You might want to read this part of the article sitting down. When you get off the plane, and you’re all sad you’re not on the beach but instead heading back to your our boring, very much not beach-centric life, and the last thing you want to do is wait on a 45+ minute line to get through customs…you suddenly remember that you have an app that means…wait for it…ALMOST NO LINE AT ALL.
What a feeling. Where the “norms” will be lining up for the customs line, you’ll be that smart and savvy traveler that has Mobile Passport. You’ll saunter up to a small desk, often set off into a corner of the airport, where someone will scan your QR code and waive you right through to the rest of your life.
Do I need to go through an interview process? Like with Global Entry?
No. That’s the other best part. This doesn’t require any interview. Granted, you can’t have any sort of a misdemeanor or felony on your record, but barring those extenuating circumstances, you’re all set.
Can Bring Whatever I Want Into The Country?
Yes: this U.S. Customs-approved app allows you to completely circumvent all import laws. Heroin, plutonium, Cuban cigars: everything is fair game once you have Mobile Passport.
Don’t be a yutz. Of course you still have to go through the normal security checks, and obey all the standard rules and regulations. Mobile Passport won’t allow you to sail through customs with $800,000 in unmarked bills. It’s just a way to make the normal customs process a little quicker.
Will your life ever be the same now that you have this incredible app? No. It will be infinitely better.
