Your First International Arrival: Immigration, Customs, and What to Expect
So you planned the trip, booked the ticket, boarded the flight, and now find yourself just hours away from landing in a new country—perhaps for the very first time! You are likely ready to get your adventure underway (or maybe you’re just ready for a power nap at the hotel), but not so fast. Upon exiting the plane, you’ll first need to navigate immigration and customs before officially entering the country and being on your way. Many new (and not-so-new) travelers find themselves overwhelmed, confused, and at times even underprepared for this step of the journey. Exhaustion and jet lag following a long-haul flight certainly don’t make navigating these systems any easier! Read on to learn what to expect and how you can arrive prepared. It’s time to turn any of those lingering nerves into excitement!
Before You Land
An easy journey through immigration and customs begins before you even board your flight. While the general process may be somewhat similar across countries, there are enough differences that it’s important to do your research before you find yourself waiting at the airport check-in counter. In some cases, it might even pay off to do a little digging before you even book your ticket! While you likely already know you’ll need a passport, some countries may have additional entry requirements, including visas, electronic travel authorizations, health documentation, or other forms. Save yourself a future headache and have any required documents completed and accessible long before you settle into your seat en route to a new destination.
Other important information to have handy may include the address of where you’re staying, your return or onward flight information, and your contact information while abroad. I recommend taking screenshots of any QR codes, electronic forms, or other information you would normally need an internet connection to access. That gives you a backup in case you arrive and find yourself without service or Wi-Fi. In some cases, flight attendants may also distribute paper arrival or customs forms toward the end of the flight. I find it handy to bring my own pen and keep it accessible in my carry-on!
While preparing for your trip, it’s also worth taking the time to become familiar with any country-specific customs regulations. Rules surrounding food, medications, plants, and other items can vary considerably. Something allowed without restriction in one country may be strictly regulated or prohibited in another. You can start by checking the IATA Travel Centre for passport, visa, and other travel requirements specific to your trip.
You’ve Landed- Now What?
After hours in the air, your plane has finally landed. What now? First, take a moment to check the area around you and make sure you aren’t about to head off on your big adventure without something important—like your passport or phone! That includes checking those pesky seatback pockets. Once you’ve exited the plane, pack your patience and follow the crowd—but not blindly! Look up and follow the signs. You’re looking for signs directing you toward Arrivals, Immigration, Passport Control, or Border Control. Don’t worry if you see different terminology being used. These terms can all refer to the point where your documents are checked before you’re admitted into the country.
Depending on your onward journey, you may instead need to follow signs for Connections or Transfers. Be careful not to simply follow a crowd heading that way unless you are actually connecting to another flight! Anxious about the language? At many large international airports, you’ll find important signs posted in English as well as the local language. Feeling lost or confused? You’ll often find airline or airport staff along the way, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Remember that patience I mentioned before? You may need some more of it now. Depending on the airport, the walk to immigration and passport control can be surprisingly long. This is normal! If you need a bathroom break, now is a good time to take care of it—you may have a wait ahead of you at immigration. Now is also the time to make sure all of those documents we mentioned earlier are accessible.
Immigration/Passport Control
Your plan upon arriving at immigration and passport control: have your passport and any other required documents ready, stay calm, and get yourself into the correct line. Look overhead for signs indicating which line you should join. You’ll likely find different lines based on nationality or passport type and residency status. Depending on the airport, you may also find dedicated lanes for families or other groups of travelers. The immigration and entry process looks different depending on the country. Based on where you’re arriving and your eligibility, you may use an automated e-gate or self-service kiosk, speak directly with a border officer, or sometimes do both.
If you speak with a border officer, you may be asked about the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay, where you’ll be staying, who you’re traveling with, or your onward or return travel. In some countries, fingerprints or a photograph may also be taken. Passport control and immigration are about determining whether YOU are permitted to enter the country. This is an important distinction because you’ll later proceed through customs, where the focus shifts to the items you’re bringing with you and whether THEY are permitted to enter. A quick note about cell phones. Pay attention to posted rules regarding phones and photography. Many border control areas restrict phone use, photography, or both.
A quick note for travelers heading to Europe: As of April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational at the external borders of 29 European countries. This system is relatively new, and generally applies to certain non-EU nationals traveling in and out of participating countries. The system electronically records traveler information including passport details, entry and exit information, a facial image, and fingerprints. If you’re traveling to Europe, check the official EES website before your trip to see whether the system applies to you and what to expect.
Baggage Claim
Getting closer! Have you checked any bags? If you’ve reached your final destination, this is generally where you’ll collect them before proceeding through customs. Remember that bit about customs determining whether the items you’re bringing with you should be permitted to enter the country? Well, you’ll need those items—i.e., your baggage—with you before proceeding through customs. Again, follow the signs for Baggage Claim. Look for a large monitor, find your flight number, and check which baggage carousel is assigned to your flight. Sometimes this information can also be found in your airline’s app. Bags can look alike! Be sure to check the baggage tag or name before walking away with a black suitcase that looks just like yours. Bag didn’t arrive? Report it to the airline’s baggage service desk before leaving the baggage-claim area. Once you leave this secure area, you may not be allowed back in.
Customs
Now that you’ve collected your baggage, you’re ready to proceed through customs. Remember: immigration and passport control determine whether YOU should be permitted to enter the country. Customs determines whether the items you’re bringing with you should be allowed to enter. Because you did your research before you ever boarded the plane, you’re prepared, know the rules, and can feel confident that no contraband fruits or restricted medications are about to derail your adventure! Again, the process will differ depending on the country and airport, but you may be directed toward separate Goods to Declare and Nothing to Declare channels. If you have nothing that requires declaration under that country’s rules, follow the Nothing to Declare channel. If you have something to declare—or you’re uncertain about an item you’re carrying—use the Goods to Declare channel or ask a customs officer for help. In some airports, passengers may be selected for additional screening. If you’re selected, remain calm and answer the officer’s questions honestly. Don’t be surprised if customs feels surprisingly uneventful, though. In some airports, travelers with nothing to declare simply walk through the appropriate channel and into the arrivals hall.
The Arrivals Hall
You have arrived! I always feel like my trip has finally gotten underway when I enter the arrivals hall. There’s something about passing through the formal, sterile doors of the customs area and into the arrivals hall that signals the start of an adventure. From the chaos and noise of local families greeting loved ones to the swell of the local language or dialect, this is your chance to catch your breath and get your footing before you head out the door. I often grab a seat and make sure I have a solid plan for getting to my accommodation and that my cell phone is working properly. Before leaving, make sure you have whatever connectivity you’ll need to reach your destination, whether that’s international roaming, an eSIM, a local SIM card, or portable Wi-Fi. The arrivals hall can also be a convenient place to find an ATM if you need cash, use the bathroom, or grab something to eat. Once you’re feeling settled and confident in your plan, it’s time to leave the airport! Look for signs pointing you toward taxis, rideshare pickup areas, trains, subways, buses, or other public transportation. Stick to official transportation options or transportation you’ve arranged in advance, and pass on anyone who approaches you unsolicited offering a ride.
If you’re booking prearranged airport transportation, allow plenty of time. The amount of time it takes to complete the entire arrivals process can be unpredictable depending on the destination, time of day, and even the season.
But What If I Have A Connecting Flight?
Arriving on an international flight but continuing on to a different final destination? Not uncommon! If that’s the case, though, your arrival process may look a little different from what I’ve described above. Depending on your itinerary, you may need to clear immigration at your first point of entry, collect and recheck your luggage, go through additional security, or simply follow signs for Connections or Transfers and continue to your next gate. Unfortunately, there isn’t one set of rules that applies to every international connection. The process can depend on the countries you’re traveling through, whether you’re continuing on an international or domestic flight, whether your flights are booked on the same ticket, and whether your baggage has been checked through to your final destination.
Before you travel, check the connection requirements for your specific itinerary rather than assuming you’ll simply walk from one gate to another.