Airport Immigration Questions You MUST Know (with Answers)

Whether you're traveling to the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, or any other destination, knowing what to expect can make your experience smoother and stress-free.

We start by exploring common immigration questions at airport entry points, guiding you through how to respond effectively and confidently.

In addition to these insights, we provide practical advice on how to answer immigration questions at the airport in general, offering clear examples and tips to help you stay calm and composed. We also discuss common airport customs questions, giving you a broader understanding of what to expect beyond immigration.

To make your travel experience even smoother, we include useful phrases and tips for your airport conversation. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time flyer, this video is packed with valuable information that will help you feel more confident as you approach the immigration desk.

Watch now to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to navigate the immigration process successfully. Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest travel tips and guides!

00:00 - Intro
00:19 - What is the purpose of your visit?
00:48 - How long do you intend to stay?
01:43 - Where will you be staying during your visit?
02:31 - What is your occupation?
02:53 - How much money do you have for your trip?
03:20 - Have you packed your own bag?
03:38 - Are you travelling alone?
03:54 - Do you have family in the country?
04:17 - Have you visited your country before?
04:36 - Where do you come from?
04:54 - Do you have any items to declare?
05:17 - Outro

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[plonss]

A lot of travelling taught me that border officials don't like vague plans. So even if I have no plan, I learned to make up one.

[andrewemery]

When Australian Immigration ask if you have a criminal record, remember that it is no longer a requirement.

[spiceweasel]

I'm a Canadian and grew up near the US border. Pre-9/11, US Immigration always asked the same three questions: Where were you born? Where are you going? How long will you be? After a while, we didn't bother to wait for the questions. We'd just pull up to the window and shout, "Canada. Shopping. 3 hours". The first time I crossed after 9/11 and they asked different questions, I just sat there with my mouth hanging open, unable to process what I'd been asked. I must have looked like a stranded fish.

[Bobrogers]

I learned long ago that in all situations, answer a question as briefly as possible. Details will always get you in trouble.

[secretsquirrel]

Sometimes if you give too many irrelevant details, the immigration officer will just approve you. On my last trip to Canada, I was attending a conference in my field (physics), and the first question he asked me was what was the purpose of my trip. I told him I was attending a conference. The second question was what was the topic of the conference…and oh boy…I let loose in all the exciting physics presentations as well as my work that I was presenting. I realized the immigration officer understood <5% of what I was saying, and after about 3 minutes of blabbering about physics, he returned my passport and let me in without issue.

[angmoh]

I've been travelling extensively throughout my career in the oil industry, been to around 50 countries so far, many of which falls into a certain president's category of shithole countries. I have never, not once, had a problem with immigration. I have followed three golden rules, and I strongly believe these have helped:
1. Dress well, and do some basic grooming before leaving the plane
2. Be polite and forthcoming
3. Smile and greet the border agent like he is your friend

[laurafortier]

Lived on a Bordertown my whole life. Then the first time I drove to the states without my parents they asked me my job too. To which I replied desk clerk, but they were dumbfounded, so I said dispatcher, and it didn’t get any better… after trying to explain my job tasks throughout the day I stumbled upon the word “secretary” -ding ding, that worked. Then they asked “how are y’all related, ” I, white, looking shocked, glanced over at my Korean friend and my black Caribbean friend and blankly said “well, officer, we are not” 😂. I got a very slowly asked “how did you meet?” And eventually I found out that “church” will fill one of their boxes. So there you go “I’m a secretary, travelling for tourism (since they had no clue where the American towns were we were visiting) with friends from church” finally!

[TheSimpleTruth]

I've been to 15 countries so far and he's giving great advice. I would add, strongly, DON'T LIE ABOUT ANYTHING NO MATTER HOW SMALL!

[mohabatkhanmalak]

I worked in immigration at the other visas, and those questions are correct. They are standard questions for immigration to get a picture about a person coming into a country.

Just a fun fact, those same questions would have been asked by Egyptian border guards to Canaanites visiting Egypt as traders some 3 to 5000 years ago, or Chinese border guards to Mongolian merchants wanting to import Chinese goods into Mongolia in ancient times. Yes, borders and entry points existed even back then.🐞

[brentsummers]

Instead of being asked 'What is the purpose of your visit?', you might get asked something like 'What are you going to be doing?'. If you're at LAX you might say something like 'I'm going to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the Santa Monica pier'. If the CBP officer wants to know more they will ask. However, mentioning three tourist attractions has worked well for me.

[Richard]

Landing at Dulles, Washington we arrived at the immigration desk and answered all the questions without any difficulties. Next came the passport check, no problems. The good-humoured and friendly officer the desk then asked us for our fingerprints. I have mine taken, no problem with them and I am cleared through. My wife starts the process and now the fun begins. No matter which finger on whatever hand the device will not/cannot read her prints. The queue behind grows restless but the Officer keeps trying and now we are all laughing as he becomes more determined and humourous. Finally, he gets a print, bingo! She is allowed into the USA, but it was a tense moment. Then we found her baggage was missing!! (The school party ahead had picked it up by accident and the redfaced school boy sheepishly brought it back.

[pinoy]

Great video, no frills, straight to the point and no bs

[JohnWick_jr]

I was transiting through London Heathrow from Chicago to Venice, and a UK immigration officer asked how long I planned to stay in the UK. My answer was, 'As little time as possible because I really wouldn't like to stay in the UK any longer.'"

[drgeoffangel]

"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" Monty Python! thank you!

[karhukivi]

Arriving at the border between Canada and the US in the 80s, my UK passport didn't match my return ticket (Spain) and I was denied entry. I tried to explain that I was going to a conference in Spain, hence the direct flight, but to no avail. Then they let in Al Qaida guys to take flying lessons....

[kaasmeester]

Took a trip to the US as a teenager, and gave the worst possible border interview after landing in NYC: "No I am traveling with a friend. No he is on a different flight. No I don't know which one. Where I am staying? At a friend of my friend's place. No I don't know the guy we're staying with. No I don't have the address, I'm just going to ring him when I get to Washington." The guy just stamped my form and waved me through. Needless to say that was before 9-11.

Sometimes the succinct truth can land you in trouble. Flying to Israel, we were interviewed by Israeli operatived before we were even allowed to board. They took one look at me, asked my name and purpose of visit, and waved me through. Then they took 1 look at my wife, asked her the first name of her father: "Mohamed". Bzzzt! Her interview took 15 minutes...

[Yoda]

Answer questions clearly and succinctly. Never volunteer information and never ask a question of border officers.

[greendesertgoddess]

Who ever imagined world travel would get this complicated . . .

[Swaggerlot]

I visited the US in 1975 with a barely weeks old visa and was asked various inane questions. 'Are you here for the bicentennial?" asked the dusky immigration officer, "isn't that next year" was my reply.

[paradonym]

It only needs one word. Holiday, three weeks, return flight already booked, type of travel inside US if you move cities