Going through passport control can feel intimidating—especially if you’re not confident speaking English. Whether you’re answering immigration questions, showing your documents, or explaining your travel plans, it’s important to know the right phrases. In this article, you’ll learn how to handle a passport control conversation in English with helpful dialogues, common airport vocabulary, and practical questions and answers. You’ll also discover useful travel phrases, phrasal verbs, and expressions that native speakers use when arriving at international airports. These simple and realistic conversations will help you speak clearly and confidently at passport control or immigration on your next trip abroad.
English at Passport Control – Real Conversation Practice
Scene: After passing through airport security, Emma heads toward the passport control area. A border officer waves her forward to the booth for inspection.
Dialogue 1: Speaking to a Passport Officer
Immigration Officer: Good evening. Passport, please.
Emma: Good evening! Here you go.
Immigration Officer: Thank you. What’s the purpose of your visit to Canada?
Emma: I’m here on vacation—just taking a break and hoping to unwind for a few days.
Immigration Officer: Sounds nice. How long do you plan to stay?
Emma: Ten days. I’ll be flying back on the 15th.
Immigration Officer: And where will you be staying during your visit?
Emma: I’ve booked a hotel in downtown Toronto. I have the confirmation here if you’d like to see it.
Immigration Officer: Yes, please. (reviews it) That’s all in order. Are you traveling alone?
Emma: Yes, solo trip this time. Just me and my camera. I’ve been meaning to explore Canada for ages.
Immigration Officer: Any friends or family you’ll be meeting while you’re here?
Emma: No, I don’t know anyone locally. I’ll just be sightseeing, trying new food, maybe taking a day trip to Niagara Falls.
Immigration Officer: Have you been to Canada before?
Emma: No, this is my first time. I’m really looking forward to it, though!
Immigration Officer: Great. And do you have proof of your return ticket?
Emma: Yep—just a second. (pulls up her email on phone) Here’s the confirmation for my return flight on the 15th.
Immigration Officer: Thank you. Do you have sufficient funds for your stay?
Emma: Yes, I’ve got my credit cards and some Canadian dollars on hand too. I’ve budgeted for the trip.
Immigration Officer: Excellent. Just a few more questions—are you bringing in any restricted items? Food, plants, animal products, or large amounts of cash?
Emma: Nope, just clothes, toiletries, and my camera gear. Nothing to declare.
Immigration Officer: And you understand that you’re not allowed to work or study while in Canada on a tourist visa?
Emma: Absolutely, I’m just here for leisure.
Immigration Officer: Alright, everything seems to be in order. I’ll go ahead and stamp your passport. You’re cleared to enter.
Emma: Thanks so much!
Immigration Officer: You’re welcome. Enjoy your stay and welcome to Canada.
Emma: Thank you! I can’t wait to start exploring.
Vocabulary & Travel Phrases – Dialogue 1
| Phrase / Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purpose of your visit | Reason for traveling to the country |
| Unwind | Relax, de-stress |
| Proof of onward travel / return ticket | Evidence that you plan to leave the country |
| Confirmation (hotel / flight) | Document showing your travel bookings |
| Sightseeing | Visiting famous places and attractions |
| Day trip | A short visit or tour lasting one day |
| Been meaning to (do something) | Have been planning or intending to do something for a while |
| Sufficient funds | Enough money to support yourself during your stay |
| Restricted items | Items that are not allowed to be brought into the country |
| Nothing to declare | You’re not carrying any goods that require customs notification |
| Stamp your passport | Official entry mark placed in your passport |
| Cleared to enter | Allowed to pass through immigration legally |
| Welcome to [country] | Friendly phrase used by immigration officers upon entry |
Dialogue 2: Immigration Questions & Answers
Scene: After a long international flight, James lands at JFK Airport in New York. He walks toward the immigration line and is called forward by an officer at the booth.
Conversation: Passenger & Immigration Officer
Immigration Officer: Hello. Passport and arrival form, please.
James: Hi, yes. Here you go.
Immigration Officer: Thank you. What brings you to the United States?
James: I’m attending a conference in New York City. It’s a five-day business trip.
Immigration Officer: Got it. Are you traveling for work, or just tagging along with a group?
James: Officially for work. I’m a speaker at a marketing summit. I’ll also squeeze in a bit of sightseeing while I’m here.
Immigration Officer: Sounds good. Where will you be staying?
James: I’m booked at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. I have the reservation if you’d like to see it.
Immigration Officer: Yes, please.
James: (pulls it up on his phone) Here it is.
Immigration Officer: Thanks. Do you know anyone in the U.S.?
James: Not really—I’ll be networking at the event, but I’m not staying with anyone.
Immigration Officer: And when are you flying back?
James: My return flight is on Monday. I’ll be heading out first thing in the morning.
Immigration Officer: Do you have your return ticket on you?
James: Yep, I’ve got a digital copy saved. (shows email)
Immigration Officer: Great. Are you carrying any items for someone else?
James: No, just my own things—clothes, my laptop, and some promotional materials for the summit.
Immigration Officer: Okay. Are you bringing in any food, alcohol, or large sums of cash?
James: Just some packaged snacks, nothing fresh or perishable. And I’m well under the currency limit.
Immigration Officer: That’s fine. Have you traveled to the U.S. before?
James: Once, about five years ago. This is my second trip.
Immigration Officer: Alright, one last thing—can you confirm that you will not engage in any paid work or study while in the U.S.?
James: Yes, absolutely. Just attending and presenting at the conference, that’s all.
Immigration Officer: Perfect. You’re good to go. Let me stamp your passport, and you’re all set.
James: Thanks. I really appreciate it.
Immigration Officer: No problem. Enjoy your stay and best of luck with the summit.
James: Thanks a lot. I’m looking forward to it.
Vocabulary & Travel Expressions – Dialogue 2
| Phrase / Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tag along | Join someone, often casually or unofficially |
| Squeeze in (something) | Manage to include something in a busy schedule |
| Booked at (hotel/place) | Reserved a stay at a hotel or location |
| Pull up (a document) | Open a file or email on a phone/laptop |
| Networking | Making professional connections and contacts |
| Head out | Leave a place to go somewhere |
| First thing in the morning | Very early in the day |
| Carry items for someone else | Bring goods or packages that don’t belong to you |
| Perishable | Likely to spoil or go bad (food, etc.) |
| Currency limit | Legal maximum amount of money you can carry |
| Engage in paid work | Do a job or earn money while visiting |
| Good to go | All clear, ready to proceed |
| Stamp your passport | Official entry mark from immigration |
| Enjoy your stay | Common phrase used to welcome travelers |
| Best of luck | Wish someone success |
Quiz: Speaking English at Passport Control
1. What is the purpose of your ____?
a) direction
b) visit
c) fly
2. Please show me your ____ and visa.
a) passport
b) suitcase
c) airplane
3. I’m here on ____—I’m visiting my friends.
a) hobby
b) study
c) holiday
4. How long do you ____ to stay in the country?
a) hope
b) plan
c) like
5. I’m going to stay with my ____ in New York.
a) classroom
b) relatives
c) employers
6. Have you ever ____ to this country before?
a) come
b) flew
c) been
7. The officer asked me to ____ the address of my hotel.
a) write down
b) carry on
c) pass out
8. You must go through passport ____ after landing.
a) download
b) inspection
c) luggage
9. Immigration officers usually ask about your return ____.
a) plan
b) date
c) seat
10. Don’t forget to ____ your arrival card before approaching the officer.
a) fill out
b) check in
c) hand off
Quiz Answers
1) visit
2) passport
3) holiday
4) plan
5) relatives
6) been
7) write down
8) inspection
9) date
10) fill out
