5 tips for passing US immigration

• Since I launched the CNEWYORK website and its New York forum in 1999, one of the most common worries about arriving in New York is getting through customs and immigration. Many visitors mix up the two, but they’re actually very different. Immigration approves your entry into the United States, while customs checks the goods you’re bringing in.
• In practice, immigration is the trickier part and the one that makes most travelers nervous. But with these 5 tips, you’ll breeze through. (Though once you’re there, stay polite anyway 😉

1/ Stop worrying

• After watching too many American TV shows, some travelers imagine immigration officers waiting to grill them like they’re on a crime drama. Here’s the truth: immigration doesn’t care much about you as long as you’re a tourist or a business traveler. They’re looking for people on watchlists and those entering illegally. If you’re coming for a vacation, you have nothing to worry about. Over 12 million foreign visitors arrived in New York in 2019—more than 30,000 a day. Nearly all of them made it to their hotels without any problems.
• Remember, before you left, you filled out an electronic travel authorization—the ESTA travel permit. If there had been any red flags, you wouldn’t have boarded the plane in the first place. So arrive in New York relaxed.

2/ Follow the rules

• Once you leave the plane, you’ll be directed to a large immigration hall. Turn your brain off and follow the instructions. First rule: no photos in this area.
• If you don’t have a US passport, follow the crowd of tourists to the line for foreign visitors. Wait your turn. An officer will direct you to a specific counter. Approach it calmly (remember the first tip 😉

3/ Tell the truth

• While scanning your passport, the immigration officer will ask you questions: “What’s your purpose in the US?”, “How long are you staying?”, “Do you know anyone here?” Answer honestly. If you’re here for vacation, sightseeing, or to see friends, you have nothing to hide.
• What if you don’t speak English well? No problem. Either the officer will realize your limited English makes you a genuine tourist and wave you through quickly, or they’ll call for a translator—usually another traveler in the room.
• Not speaking English well is actually helpful because it speeds things up. Immigration isn’t an English test, and with the line behind you, officers aren’t there to teach you the language.

4/ Do what you’re told

• The officer will take your fingerprints and a photo. Do what they ask without questioning. For the photo, look at the camera without smiling, like a passport photo. Keep your mind blank.

5/ Don’t joke around

• Whether you speak English well or not, here’s the key: answer questions without joking. Everything you say will be taken seriously, even a small joke. Save your humor for later.
• Once your passport is stamped, the officer will wave you through. You might hear “Welcome to New York” or, rarely, a greeting in another language. Most officers won’t chat—they’re busy. Grab your passport and head to baggage claim. Once you have your bag, you’ll go through customs. If you have nothing to declare, just keep going. Customs moves fast. A few more steps and you’re in New York!

What travelers say

• Ororo Monroe: “I was terrified I’d be turned away, like Tom Hanks in The Terminal. I thought I’d be stuck at the airport or put on the next flight home. But the immigration officer was great! He smiled and even wished me a nice stay. Phew! I’ll see what happens next time.”
• Belinda Orange Trymbulak: “I got an unfriendly officer. I was almost in tears. Not nice. But I didn’t let it ruin my trip. New Yorkers are amazing. I fell in love with New York. I can’t wait to go back.”“
• Mallory Bouvier: “Immigration was a breeze for me! At customs, the officer even laughed when I told him I was visiting theme parks.”
  
  
• Bruno Hervé: “No worries for us. Pretty smooth at JFK.”
• Jean-françois Marine Gautier Zitta: “First trip to New York and our English wasn’t great. We got off the plane early to be first in line at immigration! We got to pick our officer. And he was super nice and even bilingual.”
• Gauthier Tinivella: “In March, there were machines for fingerprints and photos. Time saved? Almost none.”
• Vincent Petit-Romero: “All good for us. The officer even joked about it being our honeymoon and asked why we waited 3 years to do it, joking that after 3 years it’s usually divorce time, haha!”
  
• Aurélie Ponzo: “We came with our 3 daughters and were treated like royalty in New York, not just at immigration. New Yorkers are so nice.”
• Jessies Barley: “More intimidating than anything else! We got a nice officer. We stress for nothing.”
• Séverine Kinnel Verardo: “It was pretty intimidating!”
• Kévin Le Duigou: “Cool, he spoke to me in French!!!”
• Vivi BdDiMou: “We waited 2 hours in July 2013 and the officer even wished us well in French.”
• Valérie Rou: “A very nice officer who even joked with me because he didn’t recognize me in my passport photo—I’d lost weight.”
• Brahim Ben: “How much money do you have? OK, have a good trip. That’s it, every time.”
  
• Karim Bouras: “I go often. If you answer questions quickly and even more than necessary, the officer won’t ask more questions and will stamp your passport fast! Of course, after your fingerprints.”
• Jeremy Boil: “Don’t panic. It’s more intimidating than anything else. Most of the time the officers are nice!”
• Yas Mine: “Just avoid joking with them. They rarely smile. Stay calm, smile, answer the questions, and your passport will be stamped. Have a good trip.”
• Mélanie Le Roux: “Five months pregnant, an officer spotted me at the back of the line and took my hand. In 5 minutes, my husband and I were through. Nothing like that in France. There’s a lot to learn from New York politeness.”
• Gaëtan Ktl: “Two trips to New York and Miami. In New York, the officer wasn’t very friendly. In Miami, serious but nice with a few words in French. Basic tip: never cross the yellow line before being called! At least everyone respects the rules there.”
• Sophie BD: “Stop worrying! There’s really nothing extraordinary about US customs :-)”