Passport Control

Yes, of course, by an immigration officer who may or may not inquire about your traveling and lodging plans. There is nothing to be intimidated about. Just answer the questions truthfully. You will go through typical airport security prior to the Venice flight. And you will go through customs in Venice. Of course, the same on returning to the US. In Europe you will go through exit immigration prior to boarding your plane home.

There's no need to be intimidated by any passport control as long as your documents are in order. You may see a machine, or you may interact with an actual human being. They're no worse (and in my experience, are usually more civil) than your average TSA agent. Have a look at this, from the CDG site: http://easycdg.com/passenger-information/immigration-passport-paris-cdg-airport/

Passport control is when you are officially allowed into the country (or in this case zone of multiple countries). Its the only way countries know who is entering and so of course you will have to go through it. In Paris, in your case.

It’s normally quite easy. You get off the plane and are funneled to passport control (you can’t avoid it, there is no way to get lost, it’s all blocked off, just walk with the rest of the people in your plane). When you get to the area, you will probably see signs for EU passports one way and other passports the other. Follow the “other passport” line.

You will wait in a line (may be long). When it’s your turn you go to the desk and present your passport. In my experience they look at it for 2 seconds, stamp it, and send you on your way. It’s possible they will ask how long you are staying or where. So have your return flight info and hotel names/address written somewhere you can access it. But I’ve never had them ask. Anyway, unless there is a problem like your passport is expired or you are trying to stay more than 90 days they will send you on. At that point you go to your Venice flight, eat in the airport, whatever.

In Venice you get off the flight and go. “Customs” is just the exit door. Walk through the “Nothing to declare” door (unless you have something to declare) and you’re done.

Note that you will also go through passport control to get back into the US. This will be at your first airport in the US on your return.

....intimidated about the passport control...... Curious ???? Have you read or been told something that raises a concerning about intimidation at passport control? I have more trouble with TSA in the US than any immigration officer in Europe. TSA can be damn intimidating at times.

I have more trouble with TSA in the US than any immigration officer in Europe. TSA can be damn intimidating at times.

I second this. I've had far more frustration interacting with the TSA than anything I've ever experienced outside my own country. The only problem I've ever encountered when interacting while traveling abroad would be that lines are often long. And that can happen anywhere.

I understand. My mother remains anxious about passport control and customs and airport security, even after going through these multiple times while traveling with me, and never having had any problems (either on those trips, or prior times she traveled when much younger).

As said above, you won't be allowed to get lost or skip necessary steps. Do make sure you are not in the EU/EEA/CH passports line, but the "all other countries" line. How long it takes cannot be predicted. When you get to window, hand the officer your passport (no need to say anything). He or she will scan it, flip through it to find empty pages, stamp it, and hand it back to you. These days, they often do it without saying a word (they get all kinds of information from your airline before you land). Once they hand it back to you, proceed past the windows to your next flight; you'll go through security on the way.

Of course, they may ask questions, although this happens to me much more when entering the UK than the Schengen Area. Common ones are how long are you staying, what is the purpose of your trip (just say "business" or "pleasure"), and where are you going. The way to approach these questions is:

1) never lie to an immigration officer, but
2) never volunteer information that is not asked.

So, if they don't ask something, don't say anything about it. If they do ask, give the simplest truthful answer possible. If they truly want more information, they will ask for it. Again, this is much more common when entering the UK or Israel or the US, than it is when entering the Schengen zone. I actually can't remember the last time I was asked questions when entering the Schengen zone.

In Paris CDG I have always been checked by an actual person at passport control. Not intimidating at all. I have never been asked any questions at passport control in Paris, nor in Frankfurt.

Where I am asked after the trans-Atlantic flight at Immigration is London, both at Heathrow and Gatwick. I just answer their perfunctory questions in a perfunctory way, never had any problems with Border Control.

If you're lucky, from the time you step in line to the moment you are in front of the Immigration officer, that wait time should be 25-30 mins, maybe even less. I would be surprised if the officer asked you anything. Before your passport is returned to you, it is stamped.

My mother who has traveled internationally for the better part of her adult life always gets nervous and flustered when she goes through customs. She has never encountered any problems. Still my sister won’t get in the same line as her.

When we were leaving Germany they asked everyone casual questions in a very conversational tone. It was a interesting approach.

When we entered Austria the Passport Control officer asked, conversationally. "Do you have family here ?" No. "Do you ski ?" No. Brief silence and then my husband said "'We're old and we like to travel." Contrary to popular belief, Passport Control officers DO laugh.

Thank you one and all for your very helpful responses. I am feeling so much more confident about the process.
DJD

Your passport will most likely be scanned and a photo taken of you which you may not even notice. There is nothong to worry about!