Makes an impression (positive)?

[Ashraful Haque]

My friend (who doesn't speak English that well) and I were having a discussion/argument about how improving his English would help him, specially when traveling abroad. I said the following.

"It makes an impression on the immigration officer if you can answer every question without any hesitation."

I know I could've said 'good first impression.' But I think it's clear from the context that I'm talking about a positive impression.
When we say 'makes an impression' without good/bad, does it always imply a positive impression?
Can it also imply a negative one depending on the context?

 

[Tarheel]

In my humble opinion "It makes an impression" implies a positive impression.

 

[emsr2d2]

When we say 'makes an impression' without good/bad, does it always imply a positive impression?
Can it also imply a negative one depending on the context?

The final word of your post is the important one. As with most things, context is everything!

On her first day working at our shop, Julia smashed a bottle of wine, broke a lamp and gave several people the wrong change. She certainly made an impression.

Neither "good" nor "bad" are used but what sort of impression do you think she made?

 

[Tarheel]

I don't think Julia had a second day.

However, absent any context, if somebody says tells me what to do to make an impression I would normally think "good impression" or "positive impression" is implied.