Transit visa necessary for Narita airport from one terminal to another??

[Gwapo1ako 14]

Hi everyone,

Quick question.

Looking at flights for my Philippine citizen fiance (K-1 visa) from manila to the US.

The most economical way would be one way from Manila to Narita airport on Philippine Airlines (paid by CC) with an arrival of 12:00 pm in terminal 2. Then a one way flight from Narita to the US on United Airlines (using airline miles) at 5:00 PM in terminal 1.

Couple questions:

1- Since she is going from one terminal to another and she is a Philippine citizen, will she need a transit visa to go from one terminal to another?

2- Since she is on 2 one-way flights, does she still have to go through immigration at Narita to get her bags?

Edited March 22, 2014 by Gwapo1ako

[Sweetheart75 0]

I had a connecting flight from manila to narita then to US thats the only time I have to deal with my baggage on my point of entry.

[HollyGolightly 72]

Yes she will need to secure a transit visa to move from one terminal to another. This will have to be secured prior to departure as no transit visas are issued at the airport or upon arrival. Here is the link to the Info at the Japanese Embassy ph:

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/new%20visa/transit.htm

I've travelled a few times through Japan/Narita but I've always used Delta. It is cheap and convenient and without the hassle of applying for a separate transit visa because you would not need to exit the airport through immigration. I've also entered Japan before on a separate trip using my Philippine pass and the visa process can be equally daunting as applying for a US B2, not to mention you've to pay fees.

I suggest you find another flight for your fiancé. The combo you're suggesting may seem cheap at first but the hassle will not be worth it.

As for your second question-- yes, she will have to exit though immigration and collect her bags unless the flight is booked using an airline Alliance (e.x. star alliance) and paid as a group with one leg being booked through another air carrier. In some cases, if you book them as the same trip the first carrier will tag the bags so that it gets transferred to arrive at your destination. See if you can get this option by calling the airlines and maybe they can arrange something for you.

Edited March 22, 2014 by HollyGolightly

[Gwapo1ako 14]

One thing is that it is 2 one-way flights on separate airlines.

Manila to Narita on Philippine Airlines

then 5 hrs later

Narita to the US.

Another thing I thought about is what if she prints out her United Airlines boarding pass from Narita to US while checking in at Manila so that she is already checked in, has her boarding pass, and has proof of a connecting flight (although it is not the same airline as going into Narita and on a different ticket)

[Gwapo1ako 14]

Yes she will need to secure a transit visa to move from one terminal to another. This will have to be secured prior to departure as no transit visas are issued at the airport or upon arrival. Here is the link to the Info at the Japanese Embassy ph:

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/new%20visa/transit.htm

I've travelled a few times through Japan/Narita but I've always used Delta. It is cheap and convenient and without the hassle of applying for a separate transit visa because you would not need to exit the airport through immigration. I've also entered Japan before on a separate trip using my Philippine pass and the visa process can be equally daunting as applying for a US B2, not to mention you've to pay fees.

I suggest you find another flight for your fiancé. The combo you're suggesting may seem cheap at first but the hassle will not be worth it.

As for your second question-- yes, she will have to exit though immigration and collect her bags unless the flight is booked using an airline Alliance (e.x. star alliance) and paid as a group with one leg being booked through another air carrier. In some cases, if you book them as the same trip the first carrier will tag the bags so that it gets transferred to arrive at your destination. See if you can get this option by calling the airlines and maybe they can arrange something for you.

In terms with her bags, since I am only bringing one carry on, I will take her bags and also pay any fees for any extra bags so she does not have to exit through immigration to get any bags.

[novedsac 355]

Pertaining to Question 1) You do not need a transit visa to go between NRT Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 for a simple connecting flight. There is a shuttle bus which transits the terminals on the 'air side' without going through immigration/customs. However, you still must transit security checkpoints.

Pertaining to Question 2) This may very well be an issue for her. In Manila, she will only be able to check in for the flight from MNL to NRT. She must wait until she is at NRT before she can check in for that flight and have her bags tagged for the final destination. She may need to exit to the 'land side' (i.e., crossing Japanese immigration/customs) in order for her to do this. I'm not sure. How much time does she have between flights? Has she flown before? Is she organized and level headed?

Personally, I think the convenience of a single one-way itinerary with a connection in NRT is a whole lot less hassle and potentially worth the extra expense if it spares your fiancé stress and a potential unplanned delay in Tokyo. Again, a one-way itinerary with a connection through NRT will NOT require a transit visa as long as she does not go through immigration and takes the shuttle between terminals. I second the above poster on Delta, though, it is a nice flight with a connection of 1-2 hrs which is more than enough time to go through security and grab some decent food at the terminal before boarding the connecting flight. She gets on in Manila and doesn't have to worry about anything until she lands stateside. Bags transit without her worrying.

You may also want to check round trip flights - they are sometimes cheaper than one way and you can cancel the return leg after she arrives; airline may even let you retain some credit for use on a future flight up to a year later.

[novedsac 355]

In terms with her bags, since I am only bringing one carry on, I will take her bags and also pay any fees for any extra bags so she does not have to exit through immigration to get any bags.

Okay - sorry - I seems she will have a 5hr connection. That should be plenty of time. And if she has no checked bags to deal with, then your only remaining question is can she check into the United flight on the air side, without having to go through immigration/customs. You're better served by calling United for the answer to this question; PAL wouldn't know.

[Gwapo1ako 14]

Yes she will need to secure a transit visa to move from one terminal to another. This will have to be secured prior to departure as no transit visas are issued at the airport or upon arrival. Here is the link to the Info at the Japanese Embassy ph:

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting/new%20visa/transit.htm

I've travelled a few times through Japan/Narita but I've always used Delta. It is cheap and convenient and without the hassle of applying for a separate transit visa because you would not need to exit the airport through immigration. I've also entered Japan before on a separate trip using my Philippine pass and the visa process can be equally daunting as applying for a US B2, not to mention you've to pay fees.

United Airlines stated that she can print out her boarding pass for her Narita to US leg at the Manila Airport.

Also, since she will only have carry on with her (I will take her bags/luggage), does this mean that she can use that boarding pass to show that she has a connecting flight and therefore go to the next terminal and not have to go through Japan immigration and need a transit visa?

[HollyGolightly 72]

In terms with her bags, since I am only bringing one carry on, I will take her bags and also pay any fees for any extra bags so she does not have to exit through immigration to get any bags.

I do not understand-- if you are traveling together using the same travel itinerary (from Manila) you will have to both exit through immigration and transfer terminals together which means your bags will both have to be picked up and re-checked. You won't have problems going through Japan with a US pass but she will have some issues without a transit visa.

Edited March 22, 2014 by HollyGolightly

[Gwapo1ako 14]

Sweetheart, Holly, & Novedsac....

Thanks for all your replies!!!

[novedsac 355]

I do not understand-- if you are traveling together using the same travel itinerary (from Manila) you will have to both exit through immigration and transfer terminals together which means your bags will both have to be picked up and re-checked. You won't have problems going through Japan with a US pass but she will have some issues without a transit visa.

Unless something has changed since November 2013 when I last did this, you do not have to go through immigration to travel between terminals for an international connecting flight. We're talking about Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 NRT here … not a transfer to HND, correct?

The shuttle bus following the 'international connection' route is on the air side of the immigration/customs line. You must transit security, but not immigration, where they will check that you have an appropriate boarding pass and passport. If his fiancé can obtain an appropriate boarding pass in MNL (and doesn't have to worry about checked bags), then this shouldn't be a problem.

[HollyGolightly 72]

United Airlines stated that she can print out her boarding pass for her Narita to US leg at the Manila Airport.

Also, since she will only have carry on with her (I will take her bags/luggage), does this mean that she can use that boarding pass to show that she has a connecting flight and therefore go to the next terminal and not have to go through Japan immigration and need a transit visa?

If you have to exit to switch airports then you will definitely need a transit visa for her. I recall however, that Narita 1 & 2 terminals are within walking distance of each other, although there's a shuttle bus between the two. You'd both have to leave secured areas, and thus go through security again to catch your follow-on flights. I think there is a connection airside between the two terminals which means there is no need to exit security, immigrations and customs. You might have to verify this with your airlines to be sure. If it does turn out that she'll need a visa-- ask for a shore pass from the airlines which will let you through your connection without need of a visa.

[HollyGolightly 72]

Unless something has changed since November 2013 when I last did this, you do not have to go through immigration to travel between terminals for an international connecting flight. We're talking about Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 NRT here … not a transfer to HND, correct?

The shuttle bus following the 'international connection' route is on the air side of the immigration/customs line. You must transit security, but not immigration, where they will check that you have an appropriate boarding pass and passport. If his fiancé can obtain an appropriate boarding pass in MNL (and doesn't have to worry about checked bags), then this shouldn't be a problem.

I agree. I had the initial impression that they would need to exit hence the transit visa. But if it is just NRT 1 and 2 then no need for one.

[Gwapo1ako 14]

I do not understand-- if you are traveling together using the same travel itinerary (from Manila) you will have to both exit through immigration and transfer terminals together which means your bags will both have to be picked up and re-checked. You won't have problems going through Japan with a US pass but she will have some issues without a transit visa.

Ok, here is the situation....

I had booked tickets a while ago to visit my fiance in PI April 11-22.

Since then, our K-1 visa process has moved quickly and she had been approved at the US Embassy. She has been waiting for her visa and passport.

We were looking at trying to fly back together to the US.

My itinerary is Manila to Narita on 22nd, then leave Narita on 22nd at 5:00 pm for the US. Looking at flights, if I booked her on my same itinerary, that one-way trip would cost $2000

So an alternative was this....

Use my airline miles on United to book from Narita to US on 22nd.

Now the problem was Manila to Narita. I saw a flight on PAL for less than $300 for Manila to Narita on 22nd.

She would get into Narita at 12:00 pm and our flight would be 5:00 pm

I can take her bags since I only will have 1 carry on. She would just have her carry-on, K-1 visa documents, passport w/K-1 visa stamp. I would pay the extra baggage fees if we need it

Also, I called United to see if at Manila Airport, she would be able to print out her boarding pass for the Narita to US leg and they said yes bec it was within 24 hrs (not allowed to print international flight boarding passes from home) (plus I would be with her to check in and check my CC bec I paid for her ticket with my CC)

So....

She has no bags she needs to check in (already checked in through my itinerary) and if she has her boarding pass for her next flight in her hands,

1- Would she need to go through immigration in Japan?

2- Would she still need a transit visa to go from one terminal to another through the bus shuttle?

[Gwapo1ako 14]

I agree. I had the initial impression that they would need to exit hence the transit visa. But if it is just NRT 1 and 2 then no need for one.

Whew.... OK!!

YAY!!