Customs & Immigration
These phrases will help you confidently navigate passport control and customs when arriving in a French-speaking country.
Key Phrases
T'as bien pris ton passeport et ta fiche de débarquement ?
casualDid you make sure to bring your passport and landing card?
Casual spoken French ('T'as' instead of 'Tu as') to use with a friend or family member while waiting.
Voilà mon passeport avec la fiche d'arrivée qu'on nous a donnée dans l'avion.
neutralHere is my passport with the arrival card we were given on the plane.
A standard phrase when handing over your required documents to the border officer.
Bonjour monsieur. Je vous présente mon passeport et mon visa pour le séjour.
politeGood morning sir. I present my passport and my visa for the stay.
A formal and respectful way to present your travel documents.
Quel est le motif de votre séjour ?
neutralWhat is the purpose of your stay?
The most common and direct question you will hear from the immigration officer.
Pourriez-vous m'indiquer la raison de votre visite en France ?
politeCould you tell me the reason for your visit to France?
A softer, slightly more formal way the officer might ask about your trip.
Je suis juste ici en vacances pour me reposer et me promener un peu.
neutralI'm just here on vacation to rest and walk around a bit.
A natural, straightforward way to explain a tourist visit without overcomplicating it.
Je viens pour le travail. Il faut que j'assiste à une conférence la semaine prochaine.
politeI'm coming for work. I have to attend a conference next week.
Uses the subjunctive 'il faut que' and clearly states a professional purpose.
Combien de temps comptez-vous rester ?
neutralHow long do you plan to stay?
A concise and standard question regarding your planned departure.
Je reste deux semaines. Mon vol retour partira le quinze du mois.
neutralI'm staying two weeks. My return flight will leave on the fifteenth of the month.
A factual answer using the future tense to specify your departure.
J'ai prévu de rester une dizaine de jours, jusqu'à la fin du mois.
politeI plan to stay about ten days, until the end of the month.
Using 'une dizaine' is a natural way to estimate time at an intermediate level.
Où allez-vous loger ?
neutralWhere will you be staying?
The officer's standard question to confirm your lodging arrangements.
J'ai loué un appartement dans le centre-ville pour toute la durée du séjour.
neutralI rented an apartment downtown for the whole duration of the stay.
A straightforward way to describe your short-term rental plans.
Je vais loger chez des amis qui habitent en banlieue parisienne en ce moment.
politeI will be staying with friends who live in the Paris suburbs at the moment.
Provides specific details using a relative clause ('qui habitent').
Avez-vous quelque chose à déclarer dans vos bagages aujourd'hui ?
neutralDo you have anything to declare in your luggage today?
The typical question asked when passing through the customs checkpoint.
Non, je n'ai rien de spécial, juste mes affaires personnelles que j'ai emportées.
neutralNo, I don't have anything special, just my personal belongings that I brought.
A standard denial when carrying only normal, permitted luggage items.
J'ai seulement deux bouteilles de vin que j'ai achetées à la boutique de l'aéroport.
politeI only have two bottles of wine that I bought at the airport shop.
How to declare a specific item transparently using the passé composé.