passport queue

Meaning

This phrase refers to the line of passengers waiting to have their travel documents checked by immigration officers. It is highly common in British, Australian, and international airports, whereas American English speakers often refer to it as the 'passport control line.' It is typically used when discussing arrival procedures and wait times.

Examples

• The passport queue was so long that we almost missed our airport shuttle.

  The passport queue was so long that we almost missed our airport shuttle.

• Make sure you have your landing card filled out before you get in the passport queue.

  Make sure you have your landing card filled out before you get in the passport queue.

• There is a separate passport queue for citizens and EU passport holders.

  There is a separate passport queue for citizens and EU passport holders.

• I was stuck in the passport queue for over an hour at Heathrow Airport.

  I was stuck in the passport queue for over an hour at Heathrow Airport.

• Excuse me, is this the passport queue for non-residents?

  Excuse me, is this the passport queue for non-residents?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I waited in the passport line queue for an hour.

  ✓ I waited in the passport queue for an hour.

  'Line' and 'queue' mean the same thing. Use one or the other, but do not combine them.

• ✗ The passport queue was very big this morning.

  ✓ The passport queue was very long this morning.

  In English, we describe queues as 'long' or 'short', not 'big' or 'small'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The ___ at the airport was moving incredibly slowly today.

  💡 The line where officers check your travel documents.

  Show answer

  passport queue

• Please have your documents ready before entering the ___.

  💡 The waiting line at border control.

  Show answer

  passport queue