Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a trip to the USA from Dublin Airport? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you prepare
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Preparing For Your Trip
Dublin Airport is one of only a few airports outside North America that offers a US Preclearance facility. The benefit is that having cleared USCBP, passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic arrivals, allowing them to avoid immigration queues upon arrival and pick up their bags and go. Learn more about US Preclearance, airlines and destinations below.
Please check with your airline to confirm when the check-in desks and bag drop for your flight will open.
We advise that you arrive at your terminal 3 hours before a long-haul flight.
If you are checking bags or travelling in a group you should allow more time. Always consult your airline for check-in in desk and bag drop opening hours.
If you are flying soon, please be aware that it might be very busy at peak periods, so allow yourself plenty of time to check-in, go through Security screening and allow time to go through US Preclearance before your USA bound flight. USA flights depart from Terminal 2.
Mobile Passport Control
Travelling to the United States from Dublin Airport just got even easier with the launch of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) at US preclearance.
MPC allows travellers to complete a part of their immigration process before presenting at our pre-clearance facility, cutting wait times even further.
Through the free and secure MPC app, eligible travellers can submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information, removing the need to complete a paper form. As a result, travellers can look forward to shorter wait times, less congestion and more efficient processing on arrival at USCBP.
The MPC app is a free application that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and is currently available for eligible travellers to use upon arrival at MPC approved sites.
Travel documents can ONLY be uploaded on arrival at Dublin Airport and prior to presentation at USCBP.
Full details about Mobile Passport Control along with FAQ’s can be found here.
The US Preclearance (USCBP) facility is a purpose built facility that allows US bound passengers to undertake all US immigration, customs and agriculture inspections at Dublin Airport prior to departure
We advise passengers to arrive at their terminal 3 hours before long-haul flights.
If you are checking bags or travelling in a group you should allow more time. Always consult your airline for check-in in desk and bag drop opening hours.
If you are flying soon, please be aware that it might be very busy at peak periods, so allow yourself plenty of time to check-in, go through Security screening and allow time to go through US Preclearance before your USA bound flight. USA flights depart from Terminal 2. At the moment, peak times at Security occur in Terminal 2 at 05.00 to 12.00 for morning and early afternoon flights.
Once you have cleared Dublin Airport security, the US Preclearance screens will direct you when to go to US Preclearance. Passengers should not present to US Preclearance before their flight opens. Please see example below.
The US Preclearance facility, operated by U.S. personnel, is located on the ground floor level of Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.
All passengers travelling directly to the US from Dublin Airport go through US Preclearance.