JFK Passport Control
How fast can you clear passport control?
You've just landed at JFK in New York, and a passport control officer asks about your trip. Even when you know the answers, speaking English after a long flight can feel stressful. You may need to explain why you're visiting, how long you'll stay and where you'll sleep while the officer waits for your reply.
In this free Speedrun Mission, you have 90 seconds to speak to the officer and cover five goals. Practise greeting them, stating your reason for visiting, giving the length of your stay, naming your accommodation and mentioning your return ticket. Keep your answers clear and consistent with your actual travel plans.
What you need to say
- Greet the officer
- “Hello, good afternoon!”
- “Hi, how are you?”
- State the purpose of your visit
- “I am here on vacation.”
- “I am visiting my cousin in New York.”
- “I am here for a business conference.”
- Say how long you're staying
- “I am staying for two weeks.”
- “Ten days, until the fifteenth of May.”
- Say where you're staying
- “I am staying at a hotel in Manhattan.”
- “I will stay with a friend in Brooklyn.”
- Mention your return ticket
- “Yes, I have a return ticket.”
- “I am flying back home on the twentieth.”
Sample answers — your own words count too.
Key vocabulary
- passport
- the document used to identify you when traveling internationally
- purpose of your visit
- the reason for your trip
- vacation
- a trip taken for leisure
- sightseeing
- visiting places of interest
- length of stay
- how long you plan to remain
- accommodation
- the place where you'll sleep
- return ticket
- a ticket for your journey back
- return flight
- the flight taking you back
- until
- up to a particular date or time
Tips for this situation
- Start with a simple greeting, such as "Good afternoon," then listen for the officer's question.
- Give your purpose directly: "I'm here on vacation" is enough if that's true for your trip.
- Be specific about dates: "I'm staying for ten days, until May 15."
- Name your accommodation clearly: "I'm staying at a hotel in Manhattan."
- If asked about your return, say "I have a return ticket" and give your flight date if you know it.
How Speedrun Mission works
- 1Tap play and sign up in seconds — it's free.
- 2The officer speaks English; answer by holding the mic (or type).
- 3Cover every goal before the 90-second clock runs out, then share your time.
Frequently asked questions
What should I say at JFK passport control in English?
Greet the officer and answer each question briefly and truthfully. You might be asked why you're visiting, how long you'll stay, where you're staying and when you're leaving. A clear answer such as "I'm here on vacation for ten days" is usually easier to understand than a long explanation.
How do I explain the purpose of my visit in English?
Use a short sentence that matches your real plans. For a holiday, say "I'm here on vacation" or "I'm here for sightseeing." If you're visiting someone, you can say "I'm visiting my cousin in New York." Be ready to add a detail if the officer asks.
How do I say where I'm staying at passport control?
Say the type of accommodation and its location: "I'm staying at a hotel in Manhattan" or "I'm staying with a friend in Brooklyn." If you have the address, keep it handy in case you're asked. Speak slowly enough for the officer to catch the place name.
What if I don't understand the passport control officer's question?
You can politely ask the officer to repeat it: "Could you repeat that, please?" If one word is unclear, try "Sorry, do you mean where I'm staying?" Take a moment to listen before answering. It's better to check the question than to guess and give an unrelated answer.
How fast can you clear passport control?
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