disembarkation card

Meaning

A disembarkation card is a formal document that incoming passengers must fill out before or upon arrival in a foreign country. It is used by immigration authorities to collect personal details, travel history, and the purpose of the visit. While many countries are transitioning to digital systems, this physical card remains a standard requirement in several international ports of entry.

Examples

• Please ensure you have completed your disembarkation card before approaching the immigration desk.

  Please ensure you have completed your disembarkation card before approaching the immigration desk.

• The flight attendants distributed the disembarkation cards about an hour before we landed.

  The flight attendants distributed the disembarkation cards about an hour before we landed.

• If you make an error on your disembarkation card, you should ask the cabin crew for a fresh copy.

  If you make an error on your disembarkation card, you should ask the cabin crew for a fresh copy.

• Some countries require a separate disembarkation card for every family member, including children.

  Some countries require a separate disembarkation card for every family member, including children.

• I forgot to write my passport number on my disembarkation card, which delayed me at border control.

  I forgot to write my passport number on my disembarkation card, which delayed me at border control.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to fill out my unboarding card before the plane lands.

  ✓ I need to fill out my disembarkation card before the plane lands.

  'Unboarding' is not a standard English word. While 'landing card' or 'arrival card' are acceptable synonyms, the formal term used by customs and border protection is 'disembarkation card'.

• ✗ The gate agent checked my disembarkation card before I got on the plane.

  ✓ The gate agent checked my boarding pass before I got on the plane.

  A boarding pass is used to get onto an aircraft, whereas a disembarkation card is filled out to get off the plane and enter a foreign country.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before landing, the flight attendant handed me a ___ to fill out for immigration.

  💡 A formal document for entering a foreign country.

  Show answer

  disembarkation card

• You must present your passport alongside your completed ___ at the border control counter.

  💡 The paper form you fill out on the plane.

  Show answer

  disembarkation card