入国審査

• Reading: にゅうこくしんさ
• Romaji: nyuukoku shinsa
• Kanji breakdown: 入 (enter) + 国 (country) + 審 (examine) + 査 (inspect) → immigration inspection
• Pronunciation: /njuː.ko.ku.ɕiɴ.sa/

Meaning

Immigration check — the passport control process at an international border or airport.

A practical travel term that every international traveler encounters, 入国審査 refers to the immigration inspection at airports and borders. The experience of going through 入国審査 is a common topic in travel conversations — the nervousness, the wait times, and the questions asked. Japan has introduced automated gates at major airports, making 入国審査 faster for Japanese passport holders.

Examples

1. 入国審査でめっちゃ質問されて緊張した。 They asked me a ton of questions at immigration and I was so nervous.
2. 入国審査の列が長すぎて1時間待った。 The immigration line was so long I waited an hour.
3. 自動ゲートだと入国審査スムーズだよ。 The automated gates make immigration a breeze.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, airport, friends

Tone: practical, sometimes nervous

Do Say

• 入国審査で何聞かれた？ (What did they ask you at immigration?)
• 入国審査は時間に余裕を持って並ぼう。 (Let's queue up for immigration with plenty of time.)

Don't Say

• 国内線の手続きを「入国審査」とは言わない — 国際線のみ (Domestic flight procedures aren't called 'immigration check' — only international)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 入国審査 with 税関 (customs) — immigration checks your passport, customs checks your luggage
• Not knowing 出国審査 (departure immigration) exists as well — though it is less discussed

Origin & History

Compound of 入国 (entering a country) + 審査 (examination, screening). Standard legal and administrative vocabulary that is widely used in everyday travel conversation.

Cultural Context

Era: Standard travel vocabulary

Generation: All ages

Social background: International travelers

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Major airports like Narita and Haneda have introduced automated 入国審査 gates. Re-entry permits for foreign residents are processed here.