Automated Passport Control (APC) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that streamlines the entry process for U.S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents, Canadian citizens, eligible Visa Waiver Program participants, and specific U.S. visa holder travelers, by providing an automated process through CBP’s Primary Inspection area.
Travelers use self-service kiosks to respond to CBP – inspection related questions and submit biographic information. APC is a free service, does not require pre-registration or membership, and maintains the highest levels of protection when it comes to the handling of personal data or information. Travelers using APC experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and faster processing.
Instead of filling out a paper Customs declaration form, eligible passengers can proceed directly to the APC kiosks in the passport control area. Travelers are prompted to scan their passport, take a photograph using the kiosk, and answer a series of CBP inspection related questions verifying biographic and flight information.
Once passengers have completed the series of questions, a receipt will be issued. Travelers then bring their passport and receipt to a CBP Officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States. The kiosks allow people residing at the same address to be processed together.
APC terminals are now available at Port Authority and other North-east area airports as follows;
- New York – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Stewart International Airport (SWF)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
