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- Since I launched the www.cnewyork.net site and its forum in 1999, it was one of the most common fears when talking about arriving in New York: going through customs! Moreover, Internet users very often confuse customs and immigration, two very different services. Immigration is responsible for approving your entry into the United States while customs are interested in the goods you bring.
- In practice, it is therefore immigration which is the most complicated passage and which gives cold sweats to many travelers. But with these 5 tips, you will be able to pass this step with your fingers in your nose (well, way of speaking because, on site, I advise you to remain courteous 😉
1/ Stop being paranoid!
- By dint of seeing American series on TV, some Internet users make films of the passage of immigration, thinking that the police are waiting for them to cook them, CSI Manhattan style. Even if it hurts your self-esteem a little, know that immigration does not give you much importance as long as you are a tourist on vacation or a business person on the move. What immigration is looking for are people on national and international files as well as immigrants who enter the United States illegally. If you come for a vacation, you will have absolutely no worries. Moreover, more than 12 million foreign visitors landed in New York in 2019, or just over 30,000 per day. The vast majority of them, if not all of them, arrived at their hotel without any problem.
- Finally, remember that before your departure, you filled out an electronic authorization to enter American territory, the famous ESTA. If an element had immediately posed a problem on your file, you would not even have boarded! In short, arrive in New York relaxed!
2/ Follow the instructions
- Once out of the plane, you will be directed to a large hall dedicated to immigration. There, put your brain in “off” mode and follow the instructions. First of them: formal ban on taking photos in this room.
- If you don’t have an American passport, follow the crowds of tourists in the line dedicated to foreigners. And wait, wait, wait… At the end of the line, an attendant will point you to a specific counter. Introduce yourself in a relaxed manner (remember the first anti-paranoid paragraph 😉
3/ Tell the truth, nothing but the truth
- While registering your passport, the immigration officer will ask you a series of questions, including “what are you doing in the United States”, “how long are you staying”, “do you know the world on the spot “. Answer questions honestly. If you come on vacation, to visit the city or to see friends, you have nothing to hide!
- What if you don’t speak English? No worries ! Two solutions: either the immigration officer will find that your poor level of English makes you a perfect tourist and he will let you continue as quickly, or he will call on a translator, usually a tourist in the room.
- The option of not speaking English is usually very convenient as it speeds up the process. The passage of immigration is indeed not an oral baccalaureate and, given the line that is getting longer in the room, the officers are not there to teach you English…
4/ Do what you are told
- Besides the questions, the immigration officer will take your fingerprints and a photo. Do what he asks of you, no questions asked. For the photo, look at the lens without smiling, like for a photo booth. Again, leave your brain aside!
5/ Do not joke
- Whether you speak English well or not at all, one last essential thing to know: just answer the questions and NEVER use humor. Anything you say will be taken seriously, even a good little joke, and you can really get in trouble for a good word. Save your jokes for later!
Time to stamp your passport and the immigration officer will wave you on. There, you may be lucky enough to come across someone who will wish you “Welcome to New York” or, it is much rarer, “Happy holidays”… I have already come across officers from immigration having some notions of French but it remains very rare. And anyway, neither he nor you are there to chat: take your passport and then pick up your suitcase on the luggage belt.
Once you have collected your luggage, you will go through customs. If you have nothing to declare, simply continue. The customs may disappoint you as it is fast! Just a few more steps and you are in New York!!!
User testimonials
- Ororo Monroe : « I was scared of being turned away, like Tom Hanks in The terminal… Fear of being obliged to stay during my stay at the airport or of being put back on a future flight. And finally the immigration guy was a gem! I got a smile and he even wished me a pleasant stay. Phew! I’ll see next. »
- Belinda Orange Trymbulak : « Well, I came across an unpleasant person. I was on the verge of tears. Not nice. But fortunately I did not stop at this bad experience. New Yorkers are super nice. I fell in love with New York. I hope to come back soon.«
- Mallory Bouvier : « Personal immigration was a piece of cake!
At customs the guy had a good laugh when I told him that I was coming to visit the amusement parks”. - Bruno Herve : « For us more fear than harm. Pretty cool stint at JFK.”
- Jean-Francois Marine Gautier Zitta : « First stay in New York and we didn’t speak very good English… We got out of the plane first to be the first at immigration! Result: the controller has been chosen. And super nice guy, bilingual and more. »
- Gauthier Tinivella : « In March there were fingerprint and photo machines. Time saving ? Almost nothing. »
- Vincent Petit-Romero : « Pour nickel. The guy even joked that it was our honeymoon, why we waited 3 years to do it and he joked that normally after 3 years, it’s divorce LOL”.
- Aurélie Ponzo : « We and our 3 daughters were welcomed like royalty in New York, and not just at immigration. These New Yorkers are so nice. »
- Jessies Barley : « More impressive than anything!!!! Finally we came across a cool one. We stress for nothing. »
- Séverine Kinnel Verardo : « It was impressive though!! »
- Kevin Le Duigou : « Cool, he spoke to me in French!!! »
- Live Bd DiMou “We waited 2 hours in July 2013 and the guy even wished us ‘happy holidays’ in French”.
- Valerie Rou : « A very nice agent who even joked with me because he didn’t recognize me on my passport photo because I had lost weight. »
- Abraham I : « How many dollars do you have? OK, have a nice trip.
That’s it and every trip. » - Karim Bouras : « I go there quite often and if you answer the questions quickly, and even more than necessary, the agent will not even ask you any more questions and will stamp your passport as soon as possible! And of course after your fingerprints. »
- Jeremy Boil : « Don’t panic, it’s more impressive than anything else. Most of the time the agents are nice! »
- Yas Mine : « You just have to avoid joking with them. In general they rarely smile. Stay zen, smile, answer questions and the liberating stamp will be assured. Have a good trip. »
- Melanie Le Roux : « 5 months pregnant, an agent saw me at the end of the queue and took me by the hand. In 5 minutes, my husband and I had passed the formalities. In France nothing at all. Much to learn from this New York politeness. »
- Gaëtan Ktl : ” Of them experiences in New York and Miami. In New York not very funny the guy. In Miami, serious but friendly with a few words in French. The first basic advice: do not cross the yellow line before being called! At least at home everyone respects them. »
- Sophie BD : « Stop being paranoid! There’s really nothing out of the ordinary about US Customs 🙂”
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