Article Highlights:

  • Starting Fall 2025, US citizens can use a digital passport in Apple Wallet at over 250 TSA checkpoints for domestic flights.
  • Screening at Speed, TSA’s self-service security system, is live in Las Vegas and will expand to other airports by late 2025.
  • The US continues to issue ePassports and supports Mobile Passport Control (MPC) at over 50 entry points for faster processing.
  • Other countries are moving toward full digital credentials faster, but privacy and data security remain a US focus.
  • Global Rescue helps travelers quickly recover from a lost passport abroad, coordinating with embassies and easing stress.

 

 

Travel in the United States is being reshaped by two game-changing developments: the rollout of digital passports in Apple Wallet and the expansion of Screening at Speed, a self-service innovation that reimagines airport security.

 

Apple Wallet To Support US Passports This Fall

Starting in Fall 2025, US citizens will be able to store a digital version of their passport in Apple Wallet on iPhones running iOS 26. This new feature will be accepted at more than 250 TSA checkpoints for domestic travel, including major hubs like LAX, JFK, ORD and SFO.

Though physical passports remain required for international trips, this development marks a major milestone in digital identity verification. It follows the success of digital state IDs and driver’s licenses already accepted at select TSA security lanes, signaling a broader shift toward mobile-first travel credentials.

 

Screening at Speed: Self-Service Security Pilots Expand

At Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, TSA is testing Screening at Speed, a pilot program allowing PreCheck travelers to navigate security checkpoints themselves. Installed in Terminal 3 since March 2024, the system uses self-service pods with CT scanners, body imaging and touchscreen instructions.

Travelers scan their carry-ons, walk through scanners and receive instant feedback. If something triggers an alert, the pod reopens with step-by-step guidance. With fewer manual pat-downs and bag checks, this program has increased efficiency and reduced wait times.

The Las Vegas pilot runs through August 2025, while prototypes are being tested at DCA and ACY. TSA plans to expand live pilots to other high-volume airports later this year. The long-term goal is to improve the high-throughput screening lanes that process up to 300 passengers per hour, improving security and the traveler experience.

 

Mobile Passport Control, ePassports and Online Renewals

The US has issued ePassports since 2007. These are traditional passport booklets embedded with a chip that stores biometric data, a digital photo and a digital signature. These passports enhance border processing through contactless chip reading.

For added efficiency, the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app lets eligible travelers submit passport and customs data via their smartphone before arrival at over 50 US airports and seaports. While it doesn’t replace the passport, it speeds up reentry.

Additionally, the State Department’s online passport renewal pilot, launched in 2024 and expanded in 2025, allows eligible citizens to renew their passports and upload digital photos online, eliminating the need for in-person visits in many cases.

Travelers arriving under the Visa Waiver Program must use biometric ePassports, which are fully compatible with US Customs and Border Protection systems. While the US does not yet accept digital passport apps from foreign nationals, the encrypted chip-based credentials enable fast, secure entry verification.

 

Digital Passport in the US Versus Other Countries

Although the US is making meaningful progress, other countries are racing ahead. The European Union plans to launch its Digital Identity Wallet by 2026, letting citizens store travel documents in mobile apps. Australia, New Zealand and Singapore use biometric eGates and the UAE is testing facial-recognition-only airport pathways.

Elsewhere, India rolled out biometric ePassports nationwide in 2025, and Vietnam is preparing a national digital ID wallet, part of a growing global shift toward mobile-first travel.

 

Privacy and Data Security: A Cautious Path Forward

US agencies are moving carefully despite advances due to privacy and data security concerns. Critics have voiced fears about surveillance, biometric data misuse and the lack of transparent opt-out procedures.

TSA and CBP maintain that programs like facial recognition at TSA checkpoints are strictly voluntary and that mobile-based credentials serve as a supplement — not a replacement — for physical documents. Security, transparency and user control remain central to future rollouts.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

Losing a passport abroad can be a traveler’s worst nightmare, but with expert help the crisis can be resolved quickly. Global Rescue specializes in supporting travelers through stressful events like lost passports, coordinating with local embassies to fast-track replacements.

Maredith Richardson, a student in Paris, experienced this firsthand. After her passport was stolen, she contacted Global Rescue on the advice of her program director.

“Normally, when you need help with something, there’s a 24-hour delay. Global Rescue responded to me within about 30 seconds,” she said.

Within hours, Global Rescue secured an urgent embassy appointment for her. “I didn’t have to do a single thing except pull my documentation together,” she added. While standard passport replacement can take weeks, her new passport was issued in less than a week.

Travelers can’t board planes, cross borders or check into many hotels without a passport. Quick, expert assistance is essential, and Global Rescue provides precisely that. Whether it’s a lost passport, medical emergency or natural disaster, Global Rescue ensures travelers aren’t left to figure it out alone.