Federal authorities expanded to Virgin Islands airports a pre-departure mobile application meant to reduce wait times, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced Tuesday.
The free Mobile Passport Control phone app in use at more than 60 ports on the mainland is now available to passengers at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and St. Thomas’ Cyril E. King Airport, as well as the St. Thomas General Aviation, CBP officials said.
Unlike the mainland airports, the U.S. Virgin Islands is outside the U.S. Customs Zone, meaning travelers in and out of the territory need to pass through border inspection points — although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens.
Delays at the airports, especially during peak travel times and during occasional federal government shutdowns, have long been notorious hinderances to stress-free travel from “America’s Paradise.” In March, the Virgin Islands Port Authority called an emergency meeting to address what Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King called an “all hands on deck” situation. Matarangas-King and others consoled passengers stuck in lines that snaked out of the airport and down the street.
While the newly expanded app cannot approve funding of government agencies, it can help speed the Customs process, officials said.
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, B1/B2 visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization can download and use the app, expediting border crossings. Travelers can use their mobile devices to submit passport and travel information in advance.
“The launch of MPC at the three pre-departure locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a major advancement in our efforts to modernize and secure the traveler experience,” said Executive Director Matthew S. Davies, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations in a written statement. “This initiative will utilize cutting-edge technology to facilitate entry for eligible travelers, enhancing both efficiency and security at these airports. Our focus remains on deploying innovative solutions that ensure a safe, seamless, and exceptional process for travelers entering the United States.”
The MPC app is free to download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Users can create a profile with their passport information at any time prior to arriving at a CBP facility. Up to 12 profiles can be submitted in a single MPC transaction. Upon arrival at participating locations, travelers take a selfie for each member of their group and submit their information to CBP through the app. At the CBP clearance area, travelers should look for designated MPC lanes and present their passports or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident cards to the CBP officer for processing.
More information is available at the MPC website.
