Automated passport control
What is Automated Passport Control (APC)? Find out who is eligible to use APC, how you can use APC to skip the queues at US Customs and Border control and which airports provide the APC service.
Automated Passport Control
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What is automated passport control?
Automated Passport Control (APC) is a US Customs and Border Protection process that speeds up the passport check and border control process for those travelling to and from the US. Passengers who are eligible to use Automated Passport Control will have access to self-service kiosks, which through an automated process, will perform the necessary checks for border control.
Who is eligible for automated passport control? đź‘Ą
All US and Canadian residents are eligible to use APC, as well as international travellers who have been accepted into the Visa Waiver Program. Automated Passport Control can only be used at certain airports with APC self-serve kiosks.
How does Automated Passport Control work? 🛂
Automated Passport Control (APC) speeds up the arrival process by removing the need to complete a paper customs form. Eligible travellers use self-service kiosks to scan their passports and answer a few quick questions about their personal and flight details.
Once completed, the kiosk prints a receipt, which you then present to a Customs and Border Protection officer. After a brief check, the officer confirms whether you’re approved to enter the United States — helping you move through arrivals faster and with less hassle.
Do I have to sign up to use automated passport control?
You don’t need to sign up or pay for a membership to use Automated Passport Control (APC). If you’re a US or Canadian citizen or travelling under the Visa Waiver Program, you’re eligible to use it.
To get started, simply download the Mobile Passport app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You’ll create a quick profile using your passport details, including your name, date of birth and citizenship.
When you arrive in the US, complete a New Trip in the app by selecting your arrival airport and airline, uploading a selfie and answering a few CBP questions. Once submitted, you’ll receive a digital receipt with a QR code.
At passport control, just show your passport and QR code to a CBP officer to complete your entry, helping you move through border control faster.
Which airports have automated passport control available?
Automated Passport Control is available in more than 40 US airports. Here is a full list of the airports that currently have APC kiosks:
- Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
- Abu Dhabi International Airport
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- Boston Logan International Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Chicago Midway International Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- Dublin International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport
- Honolulu International Airport
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
- Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Miami International Airport
- Mineta San Jose International Airport
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
- Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
- Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport
- New York JFK International Airport
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- Oakland International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Portland International Airport
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Reno International Airport
- Salt Lake City International Airport
- San Diego International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
- Seattle Sea-Tac Airport
- Tampa International Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- William P. Hobby International Airport
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Automated Passport Control FAQs
Who can use Automated Passport Control?
Automated Passport Control is available to US citizens and permanent residents, Canadian citizens, as well as international passengers on the Visa Waiver Program and passengers with a B1/B2 or D visa.
Is Automated Passport Control free to use?
Yes, much like Mobile Passport Control, Automated Passport Control is completely free to use and doesn't require any membership or sign-up.
Is it safe to use Automated Passport Control?
Automated Passport Control is extremely safe to use. Automated Passport Control doesn't store or share any personal details to anyone outside US Customer and Border Control. All details that are transferred are done via secure encryption protocols
Can more than one person use the same APC kiosk at the same time?
If two people are residing from the exact same address and have flown on the same flight, they'll be able to use the same kiosk and their details will be processed together.
What languages are available on the APC kiosk?
The Automated Passport Control kiosks are available to use in English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese.
Is Automated Passport Control quicker?
Yes, Automated Passport Control saves a great deal of time! By using Automated Passport Control, you won't have to fill out a Customs declaration form. Plus, all the details that the CBP Officer ordinarily enters is automatically processed or can be quickly entered at the APC self-service kiosks.