The moment your plane lands in another country, your journey out of the airport will not be in one go. You will have to pass through the immigration. This is the one part of international travel that anyone rarely talks about. The queues, the officers, the sudden fear if they ask anything out of the book, and more. For first-time international travellers, immigration checks can feel intimidating, even if you’ve done nothing wrong. Well, in reality, immigration desk is in place not to trick you. It’s there just to assess you. And once you go through this, it becomes far less dramatic than it looks.
First things first: Documents
At immigration, you don’t exist as a person, you exist as a passport with attachments. Keep your passport, visa, boarding pass, hotel booking, and return ticket easily accessible. Digging through your bag when you are asked to show them, will raise eyebrows for sure. Immigration officers like order. Give them that, and half the battle is won.
Why are you here?
You will almost certainly be asked why you’re visiting. Tourism? Business? Transit? This is not where you intend to overshare. If you’re visiting for tourism, say tourism. Not “tourism, but maybe I’ll see if I can attend a conference if time permits.” Clear, simple answers.If you have an itinerary, know it. You don’t need to memorise hotel addresses, but you should know where you’re staying and for how long. Hesitation often reads as uncertainty, not honesty. Read more: 10 cities across the world facing severe pollution, based on user data
Be sure what you are saying
You don’t need perfect English, or the local language, but you do need calm body language. Stand straight, make eye contact when spoken to, and answer questions directly. Nervous fidgeting, unnecessary explanations, or joking at the wrong moment can complicate things. Immigration desks are not the place to crack jokes.
Money questions are normal
Some officers may ask how much money you’re carrying or how you plan to support yourself during your stay. This isn’t suspicion, it’s standard procedure. Having access to bank statements, cards, or proof of funds (even digitally) helps. Saying “I’ll figure it out” does not.
Phones are not shields
Many first-time travellers instinctively clutch their phones like emotional support devices. Don’t. Unless asked, keep it away. If an officer requests to see a booking or document on your phone, hand it over calmly. Panic-scrolling through emails while someone waits rarely ends well.
Silence is not rejection
Immigration officers don’t chat. They stamp, scan, type, and stare at screens. Silence doesn’t mean something is wrong. It just means they’re doing their job. Let them. Read more: 10 countries with the largest number of national parks
If you’re sent aside, don’t freak out
Secondary checks happen, for missing documents, random verification, or system delays. It does not automatically mean refusal. Stay calm, answer honestly, and wait. Losing patience here helps no one.Immigration is about proving you’re temporary, legitimate, and prepared. Once you understand that, it’s an easy-peasy thing. And when that stamp finally lands on your passport? Welcome to international travel.
