Transit Visa Requirements At Narita Airport: What You Need To Know

If you're transiting through Narita Airport in Japan, you may need a transit visa. Whether you require one or not depends on several factors, including the duration of your layover, the terminal of your connecting flight, and your nationality. If you don't have a connecting flight on the same day, you will need a transit visa or a Shore Pass to stay within the airport premises. However, if you are simply transiting to a third country and staying within the airport's international transit area, you may not need a visa.

Narita Airport Transit Visa Requirements

Transit visas are not required for passengers who don't leave the airport

If you are transiting through Narita Airport in Japan, you may not need a transit visa if you do not leave the airport. This is because transit visas are typically only required for travellers who need to make a short stopover in Japan and travel to another country. However, it is important to note that the specific requirements for a transit visa may vary depending on your nationality and the country you are travelling to.

For example, if you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter Japan, you may be able to transit through Narita Airport without a visa if you meet certain conditions. These conditions may include having a confirmed onward ticket within the same calendar day, staying within the international transit area of the airport, and having the necessary documents for your next destination. Additionally, if you are travelling through Tokyo International Airport (also known as Haneda Airport) or Kansai International Airport in Osaka, you may be able to transit without a visa if you have a confirmed onward ticket within 72 hours and stay within the designated transit areas.

It is worth noting that if you do not have a connecting flight on the same day, you may need a special type of transit visa called a Shore Pass. This pass can be obtained on arrival in Japan, but it is recommended to contact your airline before your trip to ensure you have the necessary documentation. To obtain a Shore Pass or a standard transit visa, you will typically need to provide a completed visa application form, a valid passport, a cover letter, a passport-size photograph, and your flight itinerary.

In summary, while transit visas may not be required for passengers who do not leave the airport during their stopover in Narita, it is important to carefully check the specific requirements based on your nationality and travel plans. It is always advisable to have the necessary documentation ready and to contact the relevant embassies or consulates for the most up-to-date information.

A transit visa is required for those who need to collect luggage

When connecting between international flights at Narita Airport, passengers are not required to obtain a transit visa if they remain in the departure area until their next flight. However, if you need to collect your luggage and re-check it, you will have to go landside and pass through immigration, which may require a transit visa.

The need for a transit visa depends on several factors. Firstly, if your flights are booked on separate tickets, you will likely need to clear immigration, claim your baggage, and check in again at Terminal 2, which would require a transit visa. Most airlines do not offer baggage check-through service for separate tickets, even if they are part of the same alliance. Therefore, it is recommended to book both flights on a single ticket to avoid the need for a transit visa.

Secondly, the requirements for a transit visa can vary based on your nationality and the country of your destination. For example, Indian nationals transiting through Narita Airport to Canada have reported needing a transit visa, even if they remain within the international zone. It is essential to check the specific regulations for your nationality and destination before travelling.

To summarise, if you need to collect your luggage during your transit at Narita Airport, you may need to obtain a transit visa. This is especially true if your flights are booked on separate tickets or if your nationality requires a visa for transiting in Japan, even within the international zone. It is always recommended to contact your airline or the Immigration Services Agency of Japan in advance to clarify the specific requirements for your situation.

Travellers with a connecting flight on the same day don't need a transit visa

If you are a traveller with a connecting flight on the same day, you don't need a transit visa to pass through Narita Airport. However, you must remain within the international transit area of the airport. This means that you cannot leave the airport premises.

If you are a citizen of a country that typically requires a visa to enter Japan, you can transit without a visa if you have a confirmed onward ticket within the same calendar day and you have all the necessary documents for your next country of destination. If you are travelling through Narita Airport and have a layover that lasts until the next day, you will need a transit visa. This is also the case if you need to leave the airport's transit area.

If you have a layover that lasts longer than a day but less than 72 hours, you may be able to obtain a Japan Transit Visa on arrival, which is known as a Japan Shore Pass. To be eligible for the Shore Pass, you must have all the required documents for your final country of destination, as well as sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay.

If you are a citizen of a country that does not usually require a visa to enter Japan, you may still need a transit visa if you are planning to leave the airport premises or if you do not have a connecting flight on the same day. It is important to check the specific requirements for your country of citizenship.

A Japan Shore Pass is required if there is no connecting flight on the same day

If you are transiting through Narita Airport, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding visa requirements. Firstly, if you are remaining within the airport premises and do not have to board a connecting flight on the same day, you typically do not need a transit visa. However, if you need to leave the international transit lounge or require an overnight stay, a transit visa may be necessary.

• Same-day Connections: If you are transiting through Narita Airport and have a connecting flight on the same day, you generally do not need a transit visa. This is because you will not be leaving the airport premises and will remain within the international transit area.
• Overnight Stay or Lounge Access: If you do not have a connecting flight on the same day and require an overnight stay or wish to access airport lounges, you will need a transit visa or a Japan Shore Pass. The Japan Shore Pass is a type of transit visa that allows you to stay within the airport premises for a short period.
• Multiple Tickets: If you are booking multiple separate tickets that require you to collect and re-check your baggage, you will likely need a transit visa. This is because you will need to go through immigration and customs, which requires a visa.
• Visa-Exempt Countries: Citizens of certain countries may be exempt from transit visa requirements if they have a valid e-Passport or a Machine-Readable Passport that meets ICAO standards. However, it is always advisable to check the specific requirements for your nationality.

In summary, if you are transiting through Narita Airport and do not have a connecting flight on the same day, you will likely need a Japan Shore Pass or a transit visa, especially if you require an overnight stay or need to leave the international transit area. It is important to contact your airline and relevant Japanese authorities beforehand to confirm the specific visa requirements for your particular situation.

Nationals of certain countries are exempt from transit visas

For example, if you are transiting through Narita Airport and have an immediate connecting flight, regardless of your nationality, no visa is required. This is because, in practice, passengers are allowed to stay in the terminal, even though the airport is officially 'closed' between 11 pm and 6 am. However, if you have an overnight layover, you will need a transit visa, unless you are just staying in the airport's transit area, in which case you can present your passport and onward ticket to immigration to obtain a 72-hour entry stamp known as a Shore Pass.

The Japan Transit Visa is issued for a maximum of 15 days and cannot be extended. It is intended for those who have longer layovers and want to leave the airport to go sightseeing or resting in Japan. The Shore Pass, on the other hand, is for those who do not have a connecting flight on the same day but will be departing within 72 hours. It can be obtained on arrival, and the application is usually handled by your airline, so it is recommended to contact them before travelling to see if they can help you receive it.

It is important to note that there are some airports and seaports in Japan that do not require a transit visa, including Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Osaka's Kansai International Airport.

Frequently asked questions