Customs & Immigration
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: The imperative structure 'Welcome to [Place]' is used to greet someone arriving at a specific location. 'Welcome' acts as an adjective or interjection here, followed by the preposition 'to' to indicate the destination.
Welcome to our new office in Taipei.
EN: Compound Nouns: 'Immigration counter' consists of two nouns where the first (immigration) modifies the second (counter) to specify the type of counter.
Please wait at the information desk.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, immigration officers use standard polite greetings to maintain a professional yet welcoming atmosphere. 'Immigration counter' is the common term in airports, though 'Passport Control' is also frequently used in the UK and Europe.
EN: The phrase 'This is my first time' is used to describe a new experience. It is often followed by 'here' or a clause starting with 'that' or an infinitive 'to...'.
This is my first time visiting London.
EN: The word 'here' functions as an adverb of place, indicating the current location of the speaker.
I have been waiting here for ten minutes.
EN: In many English-speaking cultures, it is common to briefly explain your situation (like being a first-time visitor) to immigration officers to establish a friendly and cooperative tone.
EN: The modal verb 'May' is used at the beginning of a sentence to ask for permission in a formal and polite manner. It is more formal than 'Can'.
May I borrow your pen for a moment?
EN: The adverb 'also' is used to add extra information. In a sentence with a main verb like 'need', it typically appears between the subject and the verb.
I also want to visit the museum.
EN: In international travel, 'arrival card' (or landing card) is a document required by many countries' immigration departments. Using 'May I' is the standard professional etiquette for immigration officers.
EN: The sentence uses a Relative Clause (Adjective Clause) 'that I filled in' to modify the noun 'the card'. The relative pronoun 'that' acts as the object of the verb 'filled in'.
This is the book that I bought yesterday.
EN: The phrase 'Here is...' is used to present or hand something to someone. When the subject is a noun (my passport), the order is 'Here + verb + subject'.
Here is your coffee.
EN: In immigration contexts, 'arrival card' or 'disembarkation card' refers to the legal document travelers must fill out before entering a country. Using 'Of course' shows a cooperative attitude towards authority figures like immigration officers.
EN: The phrase 'What is the purpose of...' is a formal way to ask about the reason for an action or a visit. It uses the structure 'What + be verb + the purpose + of + noun/gerund'.
What is the purpose of your phone call?
EN: The word 'Now' is used here as a discourse marker to signal a transition to a new topic or a new stage in the conversation, rather than referring to the current time.
Now, let's move on to the next question.
EN: In immigration contexts, 'purpose of visit' is a standard legal question. Common answers include 'tourism', 'business', or 'visiting family'. Being direct and concise is expected.
EN: The phrase 'be here for + noun' is used to state the purpose of one's presence in a specific location.
I am here for business.
EN: The infinitive 'to explore' and 'to try' (with 'to' omitted for the second verb) follow the verb 'want' to express a desire or intention.
I want to visit the museum and take photos.
EN: When entering a country, immigration officers look for clear, concise answers. Using terms like 'tourism' or 'sightseeing' is standard and helps avoid further questioning compared to vague answers.
EN: Linking Verbs: The verb 'sounds' is a linking verb that connects the subject 'That' to an adjective 'wonderful' to describe the subject's state or quality.
The cake smells delicious.
EN: Infinitive as Object: The verb 'plan' is followed by a 'to-infinitive' (to stay) which functions as the direct object of the sentence, indicating a future intention.
They plan to travel to Japan next year.
EN: In immigration contexts, officers often use polite but direct questions. Responding with 'That sounds wonderful' is a friendly way for the officer to build rapport before asking for specific details like the duration of stay.
EN: The Present Perfect tense (have + past participle) is used here to describe an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and has a result in the present (the hotel is currently booked).
I have finished my homework already.
EN: The word 'duration' is a formal noun used to describe the length of time something lasts, often followed by the preposition 'of'.
The duration of the movie is two hours.
EN: When entering a foreign country, immigration officers often ask for proof of accommodation. Mentioning that you have 'booked a hotel already' helps demonstrate that you have clear plans and are a legitimate tourist.
EN: Present Perfect Tense (Experience): The structure 'Have + subject + past participle' is used to ask about life experiences occurring at an unspecified time in the past.
Have you seen this movie before?
EN: Adverb 'Before': In present perfect questions, 'before' is often placed at the end of the sentence to emphasize that the action occurred at any point prior to the present moment.
I have never tasted this dish before.
EN: At immigration, officers use this question to determine if you are a returning visitor or a first-time traveler, which helps them assess your familiarity with local laws and customs.
EN: Present Perfect Tense (Experience): The structure 'have + past participle' (never been) is used to describe an experience that occurred at an unspecified time before now.
I have never seen this movie before.
EN: Coordinating Conjunction 'so': Used to connect two independent clauses where the second clause is the result or consequence of the first.
It was raining, so we stayed home.
EN: In immigration contexts, expressing positive emotions like 'excited' is common for tourists, but it's important to remain polite and clear. Using 'never been here before' helps the officer understand why you might be unfamiliar with certain procedures.
EN: The verb 'need' is followed by a 'to-infinitive' (to + base verb) when it expresses a requirement or necessity to perform an action.
I need to check your identification.
EN: The pronoun 'anything' is used in questions to ask about the existence of something, and it is often followed by a to-infinitive (to declare) to function as an adjective describing the noun.
Do you have anything to eat?
EN: In customs and immigration, 'to declare' specifically means to officially state that you are carrying goods that may be subject to taxes or restrictions (like food, alcohol, or large amounts of cash). Most airports have 'Red Channels' for people with items to declare and 'Green Channels' for those with nothing to declare.
EN: Indirect Questions: When a question is embedded within a statement, the word order follows a standard declarative sentence (Subject + Verb) rather than the interrogative form. Here, 'what items need to be declared' acts as the object of 'sure'.
I don't know where the airport is.
EN: Passive Voice: The structure 'be + past participle' (to be declared) is used when the action is performed on the subject (items) rather than by the subject.
The form must be signed by you.
EN: In many countries, customs officers appreciate honesty. If you are unsure whether an item should be declared, it is always better to ask 'Can you help me?' or 'Do I need to declare this?' to avoid potential fines or legal issues.
EN: The modal verb 'must' is used to express strong obligation or necessity, often based on laws or official rules. It is followed by the base form of the verb.
You must wear a seatbelt while driving.
EN: The Oxford Comma (serial comma) is used before the conjunction 'and' in a list of three or more items to ensure clarity.
I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
EN: Customs regulations vary by country. 'Declare' refers to the legal act of informing customs officials about goods you are bringing into a country that may be subject to tax or restrictions.
EN: The preposition 'as' is used to describe the purpose or function of something. In this context, it indicates that the chocolate serves the role of a gift.
She works as a volunteer at the local hospital.
EN: The Past Simple tense ('brought') is used to describe a completed action that happened before the current conversation at the immigration counter.
I brought my umbrella because it was raining earlier.
EN: When entering a country, 'prohibited items' usually refer to illegal goods, while 'restricted items' might be allowed in limited quantities. Chocolate is generally considered a 'processed food' and is safe, but fresh fruits or meats are strictly controlled to prevent pests.
EN: The conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a subordinate clause that provides a reason or explanation for the main clause.
I stayed home because it was raining.
EN: A 'Noun Phrase' can be formed by combining an adjective (processed), a noun modifier (food), and a head noun (product) to describe a specific category of item.
This is a high-quality electronic device.
EN: In customs regulations, 'processed food' (like chocolate or canned goods) is often treated differently than 'fresh food' (like fruit or raw meat). Fresh items are strictly controlled to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, while commercially packaged processed foods are generally allowed.
EN: The Passive Voice (be + past participle) is used here ('has been stamped') to show that the action was performed on the subject (the passport) by someone else (the officer).
The letter has been sent to the manager.
EN: Linking Verbs (like 'look') are followed by adjectives to describe the state of the subject. 'Good' describes the condition of 'Everything'.
The cake smells delicious.
EN: In immigration contexts, 'Everything looks good' is a standard phrase used by officers to signal that your documents are in order and you are cleared to enter. The physical or digital 'stamp' is the official proof of entry.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe a state that started in the past and has continued up to the present moment of the conversation.
You have been very patient with me today.
EN: The phrase 'Thank you so much for [noun/gerund]' is a common pattern used to express deep gratitude for a specific action or thing.
Thank you so much for the delicious dinner.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is polite to explicitly thank service workers (like immigration officers) after a helpful interaction. Adding 'You have been very kind' personalizes the gratitude and is seen as very courteous.
EN: The verb 'hope' is often followed by a 'that-clause' which functions as the direct object. In spoken English, the conjunction 'that' is frequently omitted without changing the meaning.
I hope that you have a safe flight.
EN: The word 'stay' can function as a noun meaning the period of time spent in a place. It is often preceded by a possessive adjective like 'your' or 'my'.
We enjoyed our stay at the mountain resort.
EN: In Western culture, especially in service industries like immigration or hospitality, 'You are welcome' is the most standard response to 'Thank you'. Following it with a well-wish like 'Enjoy your stay' is a common way to signal the end of a professional interaction while remaining polite.
EN: Ellipsis in auxiliary verbs: In the phrase 'I am sure I will', the main verb 'enjoy my stay' is omitted because it was mentioned in the previous speaker's sentence. This is a common way to avoid repetition in English conversation.
A: Will you come to the party? B: I'm sure I will.
EN: Imperative mood for well-wishing: 'Have a nice day' uses the imperative form (starting with a verb) not as a command, but as a conventional formula for expressing a wish or desire for someone's benefit.
Have a safe flight!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, especially in North America, 'Have a nice day' is a standard, polite way to end an interaction with service staff or officials (like immigration officers). It signals a friendly conclusion to the business at hand.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
A form that international passengers must complete before entering a country.
To complete a form or document by providing information.
A standard question used by customs officers to ask if a traveler is carrying items that must be taxed or are restricted.
Food that is typical of a particular area or region.
To make an official statement of goods or money brought into a country to customs officials.
The act of an official placing an ink mark in a passport to authorize entry or exit.
The specific legal category under which a traveler is seeking entry (e.g., tourism, business, study).