2025.10.11

Immigration Check at the Airport｜Practical English Conversation

Izumi

When I arrive at an international airport, the first step I must go through is immigration control. At this stage, in addition to checking my passport, I may be asked about the purpose of my trip, length of stay, and accommodation details.

Although immigration interviews are mostly formal and routine, it is important to be prepared with common questions and natural response patterns. Doing so will help me answer smoothly and without hesitation.

In this lesson, I will introduce frequently used English phrases at immigration, along with grammatical points and useful tips for answering confidently.

Contents

Dialogue
Grammar and Expression Points
Summary

Dialogue

Good afternoon. What’s the purpose of your visit?

I’m here for sightseeing.

How long will you be staying?

I’ll be staying for 10 days.

Where will you be staying?

At a hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Do you have a return ticket?

Yes, here it is.

Thank you. Enjoy your stay.

Grammar and Expression Points

1. Asking About Travel Purpose: What’s the purpose of your visit?

The key word here is purpose. Even if the question is phrased differently depending on the airport, the meaning is the same.

Why are you visiting the U.S.?
What brings you to Canada?

Natural answers usually take the form of “for + noun” or “to + verb.”

I’m here for sightseeing.
I’m here for business.
I’m here to visit friends.

2. Stating the Length of Stay: I’ll be staying for ～.

This phrase is used to answer the common immigration question: How long will you be staying?

I’ll be staying = I will be staying (future continuous)
for + period of time = “for ~ days/weeks”

Examples:

I’ll be staying for one week.
I’ll be staying for ten days.
I’ll be staying for two weeks and a few days.

Using the future continuous tense makes the expression sound natural when describing scheduled plans.

3. Confirming a Return Ticket: Do you have a return ticket?

This question is meant to confirm that I do not intend to overstay. The immigration officer wants to check that I have a plan to leave the country.

Appropriate responses include showing the ticket or stating the date.

Yes, I have a return flight on July 10th.
Yes, here is my e-ticket.

Since the question is usually asked in the present tense, I should answer simply in the same tense.

4. Polite Closing Greeting: Enjoy your stay

After the check is complete, immigration officers often say “Enjoy your stay.” This is a polite and concise version of “Have a good time during your stay.”

Appropriate replies are short and polite:

Thank you.
Thank you. I will.
Thanks. You too.（casual）

Summary

What’s the purpose of your visit?
→ Standard expression to ask about travel purpose.
I’m here for sightseeing.
→ A basic structure using for + noun.
How long will you be staying? / I’ll be staying for ～.
→ Pattern for asking/answering length of stay.
Do you have a return ticket?
→ Confirms return plans; be ready to show an e-ticket.
Enjoy your stay.
→ A common closing greeting used by immigration officers.