Officials will review your required passenger travel documents (passport, visa, green card, disembarkation card (provided by a flight attendant during flight), immunization documentation, letters of confirmation or support, etc.)

The airport arrivals process is a two-step legal procedure: Immigration deals with you, and Customs deals with your stuff. At the Immigration (Passport Control) desk, officers verify your identity, visa status, and right to enter the country. In 2026, this is increasingly handled by biometric e-gates that use facial recognition to match you to your digital passport. Once cleared, you proceed to baggage claim to collect your luggage. The final step is Customs, where you must declare items you are bringing into the country, such as high-value electronics, large amounts of cash (typically over $10,000), or agricultural products that could carry pests. Most airports use a "Green Channel" (nothing to declare) and a "Red Channel" (goods to declare). In 2026, many countries have digitized the customs form through apps like "CBP MPC" in the U.S. or "Visit Japan Web," allowing you to submit your declaration before you even land. Failing to declare restricted items can lead to heavy fines or confiscation, so it is always better to ask an officer if you are unsure about a specific item in your bag.