Crossing international borders can feel intimidating, especially when you need to communicate with immigration officials in a foreign language. Understanding the process and knowing what to expect makes passport control and customs much less stressful. This lesson prepares you for smooth border crossings.
Immigration and customs are two different processes. Immigration checks your identity and right to enter; customs checks what you are bringing into the country. Let us look at both.
At Passport Control
When you arrive at immigration, you will join a queue and present your passport to an officer. Here is a typical interaction:
Officer
Good afternoon. Passport, please.
You
Here you are.
Officer
What is the purpose of your visit?
You
I am here on vacation.
Officer
How long will you be staying?
You
Two weeks.
Officer
Where will you be staying?
You
At the Marriott Hotel in the city center.
Officer
Enjoy your stay. Next, please.
Common Immigration Questions
Be prepared to answer these questions clearly and briefly:
Purpose of visit?
Tourism / Business / Visiting family
Length of stay?
How many days or weeks
Where are you staying?
Hotel name or address
Return ticket?
Proof you will leave the country
How much money?
Funds to support your stay
First visit here?
Whether you have visited before
"I am here for business. I have meetings at a conference."
Explaining a business trip purpose.
"I am visiting my sister who lives in Manchester."
Explaining a family visit.
"I am a student. I am starting a course at the university."
Explaining educational travel.
Visa-Related Vocabulary
Visa
Official permission to enter a country
Visa-free
No visa required for your nationality
Visa on arrival
Visa issued at the border
Tourist visa
For vacation travel
Business visa
For work-related visits
Transit visa
For passing through a country
Important Tip
Always answer immigration questions honestly and directly. Do not volunteer extra information, but do not be evasive either. Have your supporting documents ready if needed, such as hotel reservations, return tickets, or invitation letters.
Going Through Customs
After immigration, you collect your luggage and proceed through customs. Most countries have two channels:
Green channel / Nothing to declare
For travelers with no dutiable goods
Red channel / Goods to declare
For travelers with items to declare
Customs Officer
Do you have anything to declare?
You
No, nothing to declare.
Customs Officer
Are you carrying more than 10,000 dollars in cash?
You
No, I have about 500 dollars with me.
Customs Officer
Any food products, plants, or animal products?
You
No, just personal belongings and clothes.
Items That May Need Declaration
Customs rules vary by country, but these items often require declaration:
Large amounts of cash or currency (usually over $10,000)
Alcohol and tobacco above duty-free limits
Food products, especially meat, dairy, and plants
Expensive electronics or jewelry
Gifts over a certain value
Medication (especially prescription drugs)
"I have some gifts for my family worth about 200 dollars."
Declaring gifts you are bringing in.
"I have prescription medication for a health condition."
Declaring medicine you are carrying.
If Your Bag Is Searched
Sometimes customs officers will inspect your luggage. Stay calm and cooperative:
"Of course, please go ahead."
Agreeing to have your bag searched.
"That is a gift for my mother."
Explaining an item in your luggage.
"These are my personal belongings for the trip."
Explaining general contents.
Useful Border Vocabulary
Passport control
Where identity is verified
Immigration officer
Official who checks passports
Customs declaration form
Form listing items you are bringing
Duty-free allowance
Amount you can bring without tax
Prohibited items
Things not allowed in the country
Entry stamp
Mark in your passport showing arrival
Electronic Gates and Automated Systems
Many airports now have electronic passport gates. Here are useful phrases:
"The machine is not reading my passport. Can you help?"
Asking for assistance with automated gates.
"Where should I look for the camera?"
Asking about facial recognition positioning.
Practical Tip
Keep all your documents organized and easily accessible: passport, boarding pass, hotel confirmation, return ticket, and any visa documents. Having everything ready speeds up the process and shows you are a prepared traveler.
With these phrases and understanding of the process, border crossings become routine rather than stressful. In our next lesson, we will cover taxi and rideshare vocabulary for getting around once you arrive.