Chicago Midway (MDW) Customs & Immigration Wait Times
Estimated customs and passport control wait times at Chicago Midway International Airport.
Estimated Customs Wait at MDW
Based on historical data (7-day average)
Customs Wait Times by Hour
Average wait times based on the last 7 days of CBP data
US Citizens & Residents
- Use Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks
- Have passport and customs declaration ready
- Global Entry: Skip the line entirely (~5 min)
Non-US Citizens
- Complete I-94 form before arrival
- Have return ticket and accommodation proof ready
- Mobile Passport: Free app, can reduce wait to 10-15 min
How to Speed Up Customs at MDW
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How long does customs take at Chicago Midway International Airport?
Current average customs wait at MDW is 7 minutes. US citizens average 7 minutes, while non-US citizens average 7 minutes. Global Entry members typically clear in under 5 minutes.
What is the difference between customs and immigration at MDW?
Immigration (passport control) verifies your identity and travel documents. Customs inspects goods you're bringing into the country. At US airports like Chicago Midway, both are handled by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) in the same area, so wait times cover both processes.
Is Global Entry worth it at Chicago Midway?
Global Entry costs $120 for 5 years and includes TSA PreCheck. While waits at MDW are relatively short at 7 minutes, Global Entry still saves time and includes PreCheck benefits.
When is the best time to arrive through customs at MDW?
The shortest customs waits at Chicago Midway are around 12:00 (averaging 7 minutes). The busiest times are around 14:00 (averaging 22 minutes). Try to book flights arriving during off-peak hours.