Immigration and Customs
What to expect at border crossings
Maybe you’re new to international travel, or you haven’t done so in a long time, or even if you’re a seasoned travel veteran, crossing a border can sometimes feel intimidating. Everyone is so serious, there are signs pointing you in all different directions, and the lines lines can be quite long. You don’t want to make a wrong move for fear they’re going to deny you entry into the country. It feels like that “Soup Nazi” sketch in Seinfeld.
Let’s take a step back and relax. It isn’t all that bad. However, after presumably long flight to arrive, it just feels a bit miserable. Here are a few tips that can help you navigate your next arrival in a foreign country:
Do I need a visa in advance?
Most tourist oriented countries don’t want to make it difficult for travelers to come visit. So, many don’t require any kind of visa in advance, but the world is a constantly changing place, and new security measures always seem to be popping up. So, it is always a good idea to check with our buddy Google before traveling. Note- There EU is changing their requirements in 2024 to require US passport holders (and most other non-EU nations) to apply in advance for a visa. Thankfully, it appears it will be a relatively painless- just a quick mobile application and a €7 fee (about $8 USD).
Get yourself prepared while still in flight
Know what you’re walking into. Is this a low-tech country country that is still using paper forms for immigration and customs, or is this country a bit more advanced. If paper forms are required, you will likely be handed those on flight, if they haven’t run out. It’s a good idea to always have a pen handy on a flight when you may be filling out those arrival forms. Oh, and pro tip- be sure to use the restroom on the plane about one hour prior to landing. It’s much easier to get this done on the flight than upon arrival when you may be wheeling bags, etc.
Keep your eyes open for signs
Once you arrive and walk off the plane, it is often a really long walk to make it to immigration. Be sure to keep your head up and eyes peeled for signs directing you. This is a hard time to not look at your phone since it may be the first time in hours that you’ve had reception, but do yourself a favor and keep it in your pocket until you clear immigration (there may even be signs that forbid phones). The signs in the airport will be directing towards connecting flights or arrivals. Assuming you’re at your destination, you want to go to arrivals. Then more signs will split the home citizens from foreign nationals. Some places (like the UK, for instance) will group some friendly countries such as the US and EU in with their own citizens, which is nice because that can expedite things. Just keep that head up and follow the signs.
Immigration
Immigration and Customs- Whats the difference? Upon arrival, Immigration will come first. That’s you, the person immigrating (albeit temporarily), into another nation (BTW- emigration is when you depart a country). You will often need to wait in a long line at this point. If the line is not long, you will quickly zig-zag through lots of stanchions and ropes reminding you of exactly how long that line can be. When you get to the front, you will either hand your paper immigration form (and visa paperwork if that applies) and passport to the uniformed officer in a booth, or if it is a paperless operation, you will scan your passport in a machine. Regardless of it is a person or machine, you will need to remove your hat or glasses, if applicable, until you are cleared to pass.
Customs
After you’ve been cleared to enter the country, you can head to baggage claim. Even if you didn’t check a bag, you’re typically routed through baggage claim anyway. There you will exit through Customs. Most of the time, you will walk right through a set or two of double-doors and into the Arrivals section of the airport. However, there are often local Customs personnel there, and they can stop you and ask to search your bags or maybe scan them on an x-ray machine before you exit. Don’t be alarmed. This is typical and often done at random. Except if you look sketchy. So, don’t look sketchy. The Customs officials are looking for things in one of two categories: anything dangerous/illegal or anything that needs to be taxed upon entry to the country. So, don’t try to sneak in more than the designated amount of cigarettes or alcohol, because this is the point that they’ll get ya! Once you’ve cleared Customs, you’re then home free. You can stop into the Duty Free shop to stock up on booze, and then head over to meet your chauffeur holding a little white placard with your name on it. You’re so fancy!
Summary
A little planning and knowing what to expect makes this whole process a piece of cake. Follow these steps: Know if you need a visa, do your paperwork on the plane, pee before the flight lands, keep your phone in your pocket, pay attention to the signs, remove your hat and glasses when you hand over your passport, and don’t look sketchy. Follow the rules or you may risk being told No Soup for You!