Arrival Inspection meaning
Arrival inspection is a thorough verification procedure conducted on all individuals presenting themselves at a country’s official entry points. The main objective of this maneuver is to assess the legitimacy of travelers and their entry documents, as well as to determine their eligibility to enter or leave the country.
In this sense, arrival inspection applies to all individuals passing through airports, land border crossings, and seaports of a country. This rule applies to any individual wishing to enter or exit the territory, regardless of their social status, occupation, origin, or age. It makes no distinction between citizens and non-citizens.
Arrival inspection at an official entry point is typically entrusted to immigration inspection agents. Travelers must therefore meet the inspector, present their documents, including their passport and visa. They must answer any questions asked during the inspection.
In this context, the inspection agent’s mission is to verify the traveler’s documents in order to grant or deny entry. Their role also includes detecting any suspicious or fraudulent activity and then applying the relevant laws and regulations.
Etymology of Arrival Inspection
The term “arrival inspection” derives from the Latin word “inspectio,” meaning “examination” or “verification,” and “arrival,” an old Anglo-French word that means “to arrive on land.” Literally, this concept refers to the examination or verification carried out when someone arrives at an official entry point.