Customs & Immigration
Use these phrases to confidently answer questions from customs and immigration officers when arriving in a French-speaking country.
Key Phrases
Votre passeport, s'il vous plaît.
politeYour passport, please.
A standard polite request from an official.
Quel est le motif de votre visite ?
politeWhat is the purpose of your visit?
The formal way border officers ask why you are visiting.
Vous venez pour les vacances ou le travail ?
neutralAre you coming for vacation or work?
A more direct, everyday way an officer might ask.
Je suis ici en vacances.
neutralI am here on vacation.
The standard response for tourists.
Je viens pour le travail.
neutralI am coming for work.
Use this if you are traveling for business.
Combien de temps allez-vous rester ?
politeHow long are you going to stay?
A formal question using inversion, common with officials.
Vous restez combien de jours ?
neutralHow many days are you staying?
A more conversational phrasing you will often hear.
Je vais rester une semaine.
neutralI am going to stay one week.
You can change 'une semaine' to the number of days you are staying.
Où allez-vous loger ?
politeWhere are you going to stay?
The standard question about where you will sleep.
Je vais dormir à l'hôtel.
neutralI am going to sleep at the hotel.
A clear, basic way to explain your living arrangements.
Avez-vous des choses à déclarer ?
politeDo you have things to declare?
You will hear this question at the customs desk.
Je n'ai rien à déclarer.
neutralI have nothing to declare.
The essential phrase to use if you have no restricted items.