WASHINGTON—Whether you are traveling by air, land, rail or sea this summer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encourages travelers to familiarize themselves with some of the new technology in place to ease entry or return to the U.S. and reminds them to know the rules and regulations relating to international travel before crossing the border.
Travelers arriving at airports this summer will notice two different sets of kiosks to speed up their entry into the United States:Global Entry and Automated Passport Control (APC). Global Entry, a CBP Trusted Traveler Program, allows for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Global Entry members are able to bypass the traditional CBP inspection lines at the 60 airports the kiosks are located. U.S. and Canadian citizens, Legal Permanent Residents and returning Visa Waiver Program international travelers can utilize the more than 1,300 APC kiosks located at 42 airports worldwide to expedite their entry. Travelers use the self-service kiosks to submit their customs declaration form and biographic information.
Travelers arriving at 12 international airports (ATL, DEN, DFW, EWR, FLL, JFK, MIA, MCO, ORD, SEA, SFO, and SJC) also have a mobile option to submit their customs declaration form and biographic information. Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is the first authorized app to expedite travelers’ entry into the United States. U.S. and Canadian citizens can submit their information to CBP via the app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
APC and MPC do not require pre-approval, are free to use, and do not collect any new information on travelers. These program allow CBP officers to focus less on administrative tasks and more on law enforcement operations. As a result, travelers experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.
With the expansion of Trusted Traveler Programs, APC and MPC, average wait times were down 3 percent at the top 10 airports last year.
If arriving by land this summer, travelers are encouraged to download the Border Wait Time app. The app provides estimated wait times and open lane status at land ports of entry allowing travelers to make an informed decision of where and when to cross the border. Wait times for pedestrian and passenger and commercial vehicle crossings are broken down by lane type (standard, SENTRI,NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane, etc.). Travelers can download the app for free fromApple App Store and Google Play Store.
CBP urges all foreign travelers requiring an I-94 (those planning to travel more than 25 miles from the border or stay in the United States for more than 30 days) or I-94W (visa waiver) entry document to obtain the essential document early instead of waiting until the day of their travel to avoid potential delays at the border. Travelers are encouraged to obtain the required document as much as a week in advance for faster and more convenient processing. All travelers requesting an I-94 or I-94W entry document may be required to establish financial solvency, proof of residency outside the United States and demonstrate that they have sufficiently strong ties to their country of origin including a home abroad they do not intend to abandon.
Travelers are encouraged to obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology-enabled travel document such as a U.S. passport card or enhanced driver’s license to be able to utilize Ready Lanes at land ports of entry. In order to use the Ready Lane, all adult passengers in the vehicle over the age of 16 must present an approved RFID-enabled travel card. Travelers using Ready Lanes experience short wait times.
