Alexis
Border Crossing Basics
Many people who approach Trans Rescue are looking to potentially cross a border for the first time. The exact precautions and rules will vary depending on the country you are entering, but below are some basic guidelines to make any border crossing go as smoothly as possible. These are intended for people who are planning to cross the border independently. If you are crossing with Trans Rescue, follow the instructions of your team.
A good general guideline is to always tell the truth with border agents. If it turns out you’re bringing something prohibited in, you can often choose to surrender the item, pay a penalty, or not to cross the border if it is declared. If you do not declare it but are found to have entered with the prohibited item, you are subject to criminal charges.
In general, border guards have few restrictions on when they can deny entry, ban someone from entry, or even arrest them. Many people safely cross borders every day. That said, it is important to know the stakes so you can stay calm in the moment. Joking or seeming not to take the process seriously can set the wrong tone, and should be avoided.
What are border guards protecting against?
Border guards want to ensure that you will not cause harm to citizens and that you will not bring in items or substances which could harm the country or its industries. They want to make sure that you are traveling of your own free will and for your stated purpose. They want to know that they will not need to provide you with housing or financial support and that you will not stay past your declared timeline. They want to make sure you will not work without permission. They want to enforce trade rules, including import taxes (duties).
As part of this, they will often ask for details about your life. This does not mean you are under suspicion or in trouble. Border guards want to check that you have a consistent story and that you don’t end up changing details. The best way to make sure this is the case is to tell the truth and not get flustered.
While some questions may be prompted by your appearance, your answers to other questions, or by whether you appear nervous, officers also randomly select travelers for more intense scrutiny. If you are pulled aside for more intense questions, it could be random.
Documentation
There are two documents involved in traveling internationally. A passport is, effectively, a letter from your home country saying that you are traveling under their protection. In ancient times travelers found wandering in the wilderness could be killed with impunity. So those who traveled carried a letter from their king saying “Please don’t kill Bob. It would displease me.” Modern passports descend from these letters and are usually a booklet.
The second document is a visa for the country you are traveling to. These are normally a stamp in your passport, but occasionally are a separate document.
In most cases you must show your passport at the border. For safety, we recommend having a physical photocopy of your passport with you as well. While a photocopy is not valid for legal purposes, it can be valuable if your passport is confiscated for some reason. Additionally, we recommend leaving a copy of your passport with a trusted person at home.
Reason for Travel
Most border officials will ask the purpose of your visit. There are plenty of valid reasons to be traveling to another country – to meet up with friends, to visit a famous site, or to attend an event, for example. The reason you are traveling to the country you are visiting should be in line with the visa you intend to use.
Be prepared to share the address/location where you will be staying, as well as the names and contact information of anyone you are planning to visit. If you are visiting people, be prepared to share how you know them. (Common reasons are social organizations such as churches or volunteer organizations, mutual friends – know who they are!, meeting at an event, or meeting via work. If you have met online, you should share that, but be aware that there may be increased scrutiny because of concerns of trafficking. If you have done any vetting of the person (video calls, phone calls, friends of friends) share that.
You will be asked how long you intend to stay in the destination country, and should be prepared to answer this. If you will be staying with a friend, they should know ahead of time how long you will be staying, and be prepared to answer a phone call from the border guard. If you will be staying at a hotel, we recommend that you have a reservation for the length of your stay. Do not be vague, even if you enjoy ‘letting it flow’ on vacation. Have a paper copy of your hotel reservation.
What to bring
You should bring personal effects which will be necessary for the planned purpose of your trip. If you are planning to camp, bring camping gear but not formal clothing. If you have only said you plan on visiting museums, it would be odd to bring camping gear. If your stated purpose is tourism, don’t carry your diploma.
Bring an appropriate amount of money for the activities you plan to do and the length of time you plan to stay. Check the destination country’s laws for information on limits of cash that can be brought in. Be aware that valuables may be assessed for tax purposes.
Do not bring food across borders. Many countries have concerns about diseases or pests which could impact their agriculture, and ban certain foods for these reasons. These items are taken extremely seriously. Other countries have an interest in protecting a specific market, such as dairy or meat, and will prohibit items for those reasons. Fines can be applied per item, and that can include every single cherry in a bag if they’re feeling like it. In general, it is safest to plan not to bring any food. If you must, check the laws of your destination country to be sure that what you bring is allowed, and always declare all that you have with you.
What not to bring
Don’t bring weapons or prohibited drugs. Check the destination country’s laws around what may be considered a weapon or drug. For example, some countries may allow bear spray or certain lengths of pocket knives, but those may be prohibited in other countries.
Some drugs are “controlled substances”. Methylfenidate (Ritalin, used to treat ADHD), opioids (painkillers), and testosterone are common examples. You should check on requirements and comply with them when bringing such across borders. Syringes may get additional questions asked. Many trans people stock up on HRT. Excessive amounts may get you unwanted questioning. If you are DIYing HRT, do not bring it across the border.
When possible, do not bring medications cross-border, and instead bring a copy of your prescription to get a local doctor to prescribe your medications. If you must bring medications, bring them in their original containers and if possible bring a copy of the prescription for them. Declare them at the border.
Electronics
Border agents have authorization to check the contents of any electronic device you are bringing across the border. In general, it is recommended to clear off your devices as much as possible before travel. Even if you believe there is nothing incriminating on your devices, it gives border forces a chance to ask questions. Anything that causes questions, even innocent ones, is bad.
A factory reset is the most sure way to clear your phone. If a factory reset is truly not possible, at least remove all social media apps and log out of all accounts. Set a password on your phone rather than a fingerprint, facial recognition or other biometric, when possible. In some jurisdictions, you can be legally compelled to unlock a phone with biometrics, but not with a password.
If you are coming to meet a friend you only know online, you should retain your chat history with them. You want your phone to support your story.
Traveling by private vehicle
When traveling in a private vehicle, border guards will want you to be able to show that you have a right to be using that vehicle (i.e., that it is not stolen.) This is simplest if you are the owner, though if you are not, check on what documentation will be necessary.
If you are traveling with others and someone else breaks the rules, that may impact your ability to cross the border at that time and potentially in the future. Travel with people you trust and make sure you are all on the same page about what your plans are and what you are bringing.
Approaching the border
Follow posted signs when approaching the border, and enter at a designated border crossing. If you are driving, obey the speed limits. Border guards can (and do) observe people as they approach the border. In general, it is safest to start acting like you are interacting with border guards a bit before you actually get to the checkpoint (ie, stop making jokes that could be misinterpreted, don’t discuss sensitive topics, etc.)
Other common questions you may be asked
- Are you employed, what kind of work do you do, where, and for how long?
- Where do you live, and how long have you lived there?
- Your educational background
- The length of any current relationship (especially if traveling with a partner)
- Where you grew up
- If you plan to work while in the country (if you do, make sure you have a visa which allows this.) Note that if you plan to volunteer on an organic farm or help a friend fix their deck, border forces may see that as work and require a work visa, even if you are not paid.
We hope this helps you plan and travel safely.