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✅ Advance approval 🛃 Early border check
preclearance

preclearance

1 6.5
Customs and immigration checks done before travel at the departure airport
  • noun
  • /priˈklɪr.əns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : prechequeo
  • After completing preclearance, passengers could enter the country without further checks.

Examples

  • The airport introduced preclearance to speed up the arrival process for visitors.

  • International travelers appreciated the convenience of preclearance at their home airport.

  • I went through preclearance at the airport.

  • The preclearance process was quick and efficient.

  • Preclearance allows passengers to complete preclearance checks before leaving the airport for their international flights.

  • With preclearance, you can arrive at your destination without having to go through customs again.

  • Many travelers prefer airports with preclearance facilities because it saves time upon arrival.

Synonyms

precheck
vspreclearance
1 3.8

A check you do before an event to find problems

is specific to customs and immigration checks before starting a journey
prescreening
vspreclearance
1 4.1

A check of people or things to see if they meet rules before a final decision

is used for customs and immigration checks at departure locations

How Early

preclearance
  • Specialized
1 6.5
preflight
  • Specialized
4.4

Surface Forms

preclearance singular
preclearances plural

Morphology

preclearance = clearance (transparent) = pre + clear + ance

The sense is clearly 'clearance' completed before the main journey or arrival stage.

Etymology

Preclearance comes from pre- 'before' and clearance 'official permission', and it is often used for travel checks. In travel, preclearance means doing the customs and immigration checks at your departure airport so you are 'cleared' before you arrive.