News Update: Want the express lane at the U.S. border? There’s an app for that.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a new app for your iPhone and iPad to speed up your trip through border control.

Want the express lane at the U.S. border? There’s an app for that.

Just get off a nine hour flight from London? Well, you can take off your earphones but don’t put away your iPod just yet.

c404d092-0d7f-422f-b18c-893f133fb9f7The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a new app for your iPhone and iPad to speed up your trip through border control. The app is called Mobile Passport Control and is initially only a pilot program offered to U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The app enables travelers with a smartphone or tablet to submit their passport information and customs declaration form as well as upload a self-photo prior to CBP inspection. The app does not require pre-approval, is free-to-use and does not collect any new information on travelers. And the best part: shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.

As stated on the CBP news release, there are five easy steps to sign up:
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  • Download the Mobile Passport Control App from the Apple App Store prior to arriving
  • Create a profile with your passport information
  • Complete the “New Trip” section upon arrival in the United States
  • Submit your customs declaration form through the app to receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code. This receipt will expire four hours after being issued
  • Bring your passport and smartphone or tablet with your digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer

Don’t have an iPhone? No worries; the Google Android version should be available in fall, 2014. Check out the app’s webs site next time before you travel and say goodbye to that long line.