passport control

Meaning

The official area at an international border, port, or airport where government officers examine travelers' passports, visas, and other documents to verify their identity and legal right to enter or leave the country.

Examples

• As soon as we landed, we had to wait in a long line at passport control.

  As soon as we landed, we had to wait in a long line at passport control.

• The officer at passport control asked me how long I was planning to stay.

  The officer at passport control asked me how long I was planning to stay.

• EU citizens can use the e-gates at passport control to save time.

  EU citizens can use the e-gates at passport control to save time.

• Make sure you have your visa ready before you reach passport control.

  Make sure you have your visa ready before you reach passport control.

• He was stopped at passport control because his travel documents had expired.

  He was stopped at passport control because his travel documents had expired.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to pass the passport check.

  ✓ I need to go through passport control.

  Although 'passport check' is understandable, 'passport control' is the official international terminology used on airport signs and by native speakers.

• ✗ Where is the passports control?

  ✓ Where is passport control?

  The word 'passport' functions as an adjective here and must remain singular in this compound noun phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After landing in a foreign country, you must show your travel documents at ___.

  💡 The official checkpoint where agents stamp your passport.

  Show answer

  passport control

• The queue at ___ was moving very slowly because of the system upgrade.

  💡 Two words, starts with 'p' and 'c'.

  Show answer

  passport control