Transit visa in Japan for connecting flight

[Oliver and Lisa 0]

I'm now confused when I read your posts. I'm flying on tuesday with a 4hour layover at Narita. I didn't know about transit visa. Maybe I should call AA first thing in the morning on monday.

I don't think you are going to have a problem if you have confirmed seat. My mother ticket is standby thats the difference. Call the airlines and let us know please. Thank you!

[mik2012 17]

If you have a stand by ticket there is a possibility that you might have to leave the next day. This is why you are required to have a transit visit in this situtation. Like previous posters "if you are leaving the same day from the same airport you arrived at you do not need a transit visa as long as you do not leave the airport.". If you are arriving at Narita and leaving from Haneda you need a transit visit. As an USC you get a 90 day visa upon arriving so for USC there is no issue.

[steve55 0]

Flying non rev standby is a different situation. Below i have copied and pasted what delta's non rev policy is for Japan. It looks to me that delta has its own rules for allowing a standby passenger ro bard a plane if that passenger's citizenship does not allow entry into Japan without some kind of visa. A US citizen would be ok and not have to meet this requirement as Japan doesn't require a visa for Americans to enter but a filipino or other citizen would require a transit visa as per delta's requirementa. So I interpret this as saying that a delta agent will not issue a standby pass to a non US citizen connecting in Japan without that person having a transit visa. Here is the delta rule in that and im sure other airlines have the same rule :

A transit/short-stay visa to enter Japan may be required for non-US citizens which must be arranged prior to arrival. Japanese immigration authorities are NOT authorized to issue a Shore Pass/Transit Pass for temporary entry in the event a nonrev is not boarded on their intended flight. Due to the possibility that standby passengers may not be boarded on their intended flights, all nonrevenue passengers must have entry documents for each country on their flight itinerary regardless of the intent to transit a country as a connecting point to another destination.

Click here for more details.

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[teddy k 35]

As long as you don't exit the airport you dont need one

As long as you don't exit the airport you dont need one

,, that's good to know

[rrghacker 0]

I know this topic is old, however I had a similar question and wanted to make sure if the rules have not changed.

" When connecting between international flights, passengers are not required to undergo Immigration procedures if they are staying in the departure area (airside) until their next flight. However, Immigration procedures will be required if passengers wish to leave this area to meet a friend or to go outside the airport. In some cases, a visa may also be required. Please contact your airline or the Immigration Bureau directly in advance, if you are unsure of the requirements."



- Via http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/connect/inter/

and in case you can read Japaneses http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/index.html

[Hank_ 9,173]

It is just as stated in your quote. No transit visa needed if you are simply connecting between international flights, and do not exit the gate areas.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

You'll get off your plane and go through security screening again and they will have you remain in the same terminal for replaneing. Its really simple. No need for trasit visa.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Greenbaum