Do Indians need a transit visa for Japan while traveling to USA or back to India? This is a common query by our customers booking JAL flights between USA and India. “No,” to say in short. Neither Indian passport holders nor US citizens need a visa for transit in Japan.
If you are an Indian citizen with the itinerary having transfer between two airports in Japan, you must have a transit visa. Japan requires you to have a transit visa for catching a connecting flight at another airport after the first leg of the itinerary ends at Tokyo Haneda Airport or Narita International Airport. Even though you do not have to travel to another airport for the connecting flight, you may need to comply with Japan’s transit visa requirements, if there’s no connecting flight on the same day.
If there is no connecting flight to USA from Narita or Haneda International Airport on the same day, you may be required to undergo immigration procedures to leave the transit or departure (airside) area of the connecting airport in Japan. You need a transit visa to step out of the airport for anything – city sightseeing or catching up with a friend. In case you wish to spend time in the departure or transit area until the next connecting flight, no transit visa is required.
A transit visa is mandatory if you plan a stopover in Japan while traveling to USA or any other country via Tokyo, Narita, or Kansai Airport. The transit visa does not allow any business-centric activity during a stopover. A Japan transit visa is valid for 15 days; the validity is not extendable. Usually, it takes 5 days to get a transit visa issued from the date of the application receipt. If Indian passport holders have a tourist visa to Japan, you do not need a transit visa to travel through Tokyo or Narita International Airport or Kansai Airport, Osaka.
Do US citizens need a transit visa for Japan? US nationals and citizens do not need a tourist visa or transit visa for Japan. They need only a valid passport and confirmed onward/return flight tickets for a visit of maximum 90 days in Japan. The US passport must be valid until they exit Japan after a short stay.
you say both yes and no both , absolutely useless article
Hi Rakshith! Your comment is a surprise to us. The article clearly explains transit visa requirements for Indians and US citizens. Indians do not need a Japan transit visa unless they plan a stopover in Japan or their itinerary requires them to transfer from one airport to the other during transit in Japan.
Hi, is there a link for obtaining the transit visa?
Hi Mridu! Please be advised to google.
Hi I am a f1 us visa holder going to India in December.In return I have layover in Tokyo (HND) for 10hr 32 mins. I don’t have any plan on leaving the airport do I need transit visa?
Hi Sri Ram! In our knowledge, you can transit via Paris without a transit visa. However, it is recommended that you contact the airline and check for the information.
Hey I am Shaan. Travelling from New Delhi to Tokyo (Haneda airport) and then I have 8.45hrs layover and again Tokyo (Haneda) to Detroit (USA). I don’t wish to go out of the airport during my transit time. As there are two flights are of different airlines there is a terminal Change mentioned on the booking website. Do I need to get a transit visa?
Hi Shanur! If terminal change requires you to undergo immigration checks at Haneda Airport, you need a transit visa. It is advised that you check with the airline.
I am having a stop over of 18 hours in Japan..Reaching on 3:50 pm and then leaving on 10:50 am next day..I have an expired US VISA… In this case do I need a transit visa ?
Hi Deepak! Is there airport change during the transit in Japan? You may feel like going out of the airport during so long layover. In our opinion, it is safer and better to have a transit visa, especially when your US visa has expired.
Hi, I will be travelling from DEL – TOKYO and I have 13hr layover in haneda airport. I will landing in terminal 3 and departing to Dallas, Texas from the same terminal. I do not plan to go outside the airport. So can you please clarify if I need a transit visa? Personally I think there is no need but I just wanted to make sure.
Hi Sravan! Since there is no airport change and no plan for city sightseeing during the layover in Japan, you may not require a transit visa in our knowledge.
Hi, I’m travelling to El Salvador. My journey starts from Bangkok to Tokyo, Japan with 1hr and 15 minutes layover & then Tokyo to Mexico City with 2hr and 30 minutes layover and then Mexico City to El Salvador. Do t need transit visa for japan . I am Indian passport holder going to El Salvador with no visa because visa is on Arrival please suggest.
Thanks
Do I have to go to Japan embassy to get a transit visa or I can get it online? Also, 15 days of validity starts from the day visa is issued right?
Hi Dnyandeep! If you need a transit visa for Japan, you can apply it online. Most probably, the visa is valid for 15 days from the day of issuance.
Recently I have booked round trip tickets. but I find while returning from Bangalore to the USA via JAPAN airlines that the Arrival [Tokyo (Narita) NRT] and Departure [Tokyo (Haneda) HND] airports are different.
Do I need a transit visa for this trip?
Hi Jayaramudu! There is airport change in Tokyo in your itinerary. You will be required to go from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport, which requires a transit visa.
in this case can i apply a transist visa in japan??
I have flight from Mumbai to Mexico City via Japan (Tokyo Narita Airport) with layover of 8 Hrs . I am not planning for any sight seeing. In that case can you clarify if i need a Transit visa?
Hi Sachin! In our knowledge, you don’t a transit visa. However, it is recommended that you also check with the airline.
Hi I have a flight from Delhi to Dallas and lay over of 13 he at haneda airport, will not move out from the airport.
Do I need Transit visa ,My flight is on the same day , kindly confirm
Hi Tamanna! Some airports have the policy that a layover exceeding 12 hours requires an airport transit visa. Hence, it is recommended that you contact the airline and check visa requirement for your itinerary.
Travelling from Mexico City to Mumbai. Round trip. Indian citizen. Mexican residence visa. Do not have any other visa. Travelling by ANA, same airport (Narita), arriving at 6: 15 am and departing same airport (Narita), 5 hours later at 11 am to Mumbai. On the return trip have 8 hour layover (8 am to 4 pm same day, Narita airport)
It looks like I dont need a transit visa, since I am not leaving the airport and flight is on same day. Just want confirmation.
Hi Sarita! In our knowledge, you don’t need a transit visa. However, it is recommended that you do also check with the airline.
I have booked Japan airline from Bangalore to Sandiego and I have 2.5 hours layover in Tokyo (Narita) and next flight is also from Tokyo (Narita). Do i need transit visa ? Kindly suggest
Hi Yash! Having a valid US visa and no airport change during the transit in Tokyo, you don’t need a transit visa. However, it is recommended that you do also check with the airline.
I am planning to book tickets that require a change between HND and NRT airports. It seems I need a transit visa.
If yes, is getting a transit visa a pain? ie can I apply online and quickly get it or is it more complicated?
Hi Kritarth! As per reports, it takes 5 working days to get a Japanese transit visa from the date of application received by the officers. You can apply online.
Hi… I am looking to book a flight from Delhi to Vancouver ANA with a 16hr layover at Haneda. Both my flights are from Haneda airport only and same airline. My flight lands in Tokyo at 5:55 am and leaves at 9:55 pm same day.
Do I need a transit visa ?
Make my trip agent told me that you require a transit visa from Japan if u have a layover exceeding 8 hrs. Can u please clarify ?
Hi Rahul, did you receive any confirmation on this? I’m also planning to go from Delhi to Vancouver and was looking at the same flight, let me know if have some clarification on this.
Hi, I have an Indian passport with a valid US H1B visa. I have a long layover in Tokyo during my flight from Delhi to San Francisco. Would I still need a transit visa to go out of the airport and come back in?
Hi Nishit! In our knowledge, Indian passport holders need a transit visa to go out of the airport in Japan despite having a valid US visa.
This question is for experience travellers. Did you require Japan Transit visa for a layover 5 hours?
hello
i have a flight from delhi to seattle via Japan with a layover of 10 hours. I do not need to step out of the airport, but i need to book a hotel during my 10 hour layover as I am travelling with my old folks. I have a US visa. do i require a Japan transit visa for it?
Hi Sherry! If the hotel is outside of the transit area of the connecting airport in Japan, you may need a transit visa to step out of the transit area. It is recommended that you contact the airline and check the exact requirement with them.
I have a question, I’m traveling from BOMtoNARITA and NARITAtoSFO. I have 8hrs of layover. What are the further steps in order to apply for a transit visa? Do I have to
Hi Tejas! Since you have the connecting flight from the same airport in Japan and you don’t have plans to step out of the transit area, you don’t need a transit visa in our knowledge.
I’m travelling from Delhi, India to HND Haneda Airport and then HND Haneda Airport to MSP St Paul International Airport, USA. and i have a layover time for 10.25 Hrs in HND Haneda Airport. do i require a transit visa for this?
Hi Vedhagiri! If you stay in the transit area of the airport during the layover, you don’t need a transit visa. However, it is recommended that you check with the airline too.
Hii I am going from Honolulu USA to Tokyo Haneda Airport then next day my flight from Narita airport to Mumbai India afternoon .my layover there 18hrs but I don’t like to out side I waiting for transit area until my next flight .
Can you clerify me I need transit visa.
Hi Rahul! It is clear that there is transit airport change in your itinerary. If you are an Indian passport holder, you need a transit visa to change airport in Tokyo. However, it is recommended that you also check with the Japanese Embassy/Consulate and the airline.
Hi, where can we apply for the visa? Can you please share the link?
Hi Rahul! You can apply for a Japanese visa online.
i have a 15hr layover at 0600 hours and then flight at 2100 hours on the same day from Haneda for both flights. I have US visa, and want to check out Tokyo. Will that require transit visa or visitor visa?
Hi Nando! A transit visa is mandatory if you go out of the airport for sightseeing in Tokyo.
whats the difference between tourist and transit visa
Hi,
My itinerary is from New Delhi -> Tokyo Airport(layover 5 hrs, same terminal and airport with Japan Airline) -> USA
Do I need a transit visa in this case for Japan?
I believe the baggage will be checked in all the way through to USA so no need to cross immigration?
Please advise.
Hi Ashish! In our knowledge, you don’t need a transit visa.
Hii
My flight delhi to vancover via Tokyo Naritia airport
I land on terminal 2 Naritia airport and my flight departure at terminal 1
So I need transit visa or not
Hi Manjinder! It is advisable that you check with the airline.
Hi,
I am travelling from BLR to LAX. I have a layover at Tokyo for 3hours50 minutes. I land in Narita 1425 hrs and my flight to LAX takes off from Haneda at 1815 hours. Since my connecting flight is on the same day, would I require a transit visa?
Hi Nishan! In our knowledge, the itinerary involving a change of airports in Tokyo requires you to have a transit visa for Japan.
I have below itinerary. Please let me know if i need a Transit Visa
Tue 22 Aug
11:30 Bengaluru (Kempegowda International) -> 14:10 Delhi ( Indira Gandhi International )
19:05 Delhi ( Indira Gandhi International ) -> 06:45 +1 Tokyo ( Tokyo International Haneda )
11:55 +1 Tokyo ( Tokyo International Haneda Terminal 3) -> 06:18 +1 Los Angeles ( Los Angeles International Terminal B)
Sun 1 Oct
13:05 Los Angeles ( Los Angeles International ) -> 16:40 +1 Tokyo ( Narita International Terminal 2)
18:50 +1 Tokyo ( Narita International Terminal 2) -> 00:55 +2 Bengaluru (Kempegowda International)
I dont plan on leaving the airport
Hi Karthik! Your itineraries do no seem to require a transit visa for Japan, since there is no transit airport change and you don’t have plans to leave the transit area of the airport.
Hi…I am looking to book a flight from Delhi to Vancouver ANA with a 16hr layover at Haneda. Both my flights are from Haneda airport only and same airline. My flight lands in Tokyo at 5:55 am and leaves at 9:55 pm same day.
Do I need a transit visa ?
Make my trip agent told me that you require a transit visa from Japan if u have a layover exceeding 8 hrs. Can u please clarify ?
Hi Deepak! If the layover exceeding 8 hours requires you to undergo the immigration check to leave the transit area, you need a transit visa. Hence, it is recommended that you do also check with the airline.
Hi. I am traveling from Delhi to Canada and have a layover at Haneda airport. I wish to go out for sightseeing. I have a valid USA visa, do I require a transit visa for Japan? If yes where can I apply for it online? Please share the online link or name of the website. I am not able to get a VFS appointment slot at all.
Hi Spardha! In our knowledge, you require a transit visa to leave the airport for city sightseeing.
Hi
How much time it takes to get a transit visa? On the website, they have mentioned 4 working days excluding the date of application submission.
Itinerary:
3rd Feb 18: 55 DEL – Tokyo (Haneda) 4th Feb 06:00
4th Feb 21:05 Tokyo (Haneda) – Seattle 4th Feb 13:10
Layover of 15 hours, so I am planning to do some sightseeing. I have an appointment at VFS Global, New Delhi in 3 hours. This gives me the next whole week (5 working days) to get my visa approved and pick up my passport on 2nd Feb (Friday, 1 day before my flight).
This seems a bit risky. So, wanted to know if I have a high chance that I will be able to pick up my passport on Feb 2nd.
Hello ,
I have a flight from Del to Tokyo’s Haneda landing at terminal 3 at 6 Am. The lay over is 10.5 hours and the next flight leaves from Tokyo’s Haneda Terminal 3 to SFO. Both flights are Japan Airlines ( landing and leaving from Haneda to/from terminal 3 ) Do I require transit Visa in this case ? I don’t wish to exit the airport .
Would appreciate your response .
Hi Abhishek! In our opinion, you don’t need a transit visa if you don’t exit the transit area of the airport.
Hi Do we need transit visa if our USA visa is expired ? US-> Narita -> Banglore . No airport change .
Hi Swathi! If you are traveling to India through a third country with an expire visa, you need a transit visa in our opinion. However, it is recommended that you contact the airline for more accurate information.
Hi! I am planning to travel from JFK to Delhi with a stop in Haneda airport for 18.5 hrs. I checked with the airlines the terminal remains the same. (I have a valid US visa and I am an Indian passport holder). Will I need a transt visa?
I have a us visa but an india passport and i am planning to go to back to new delhi (india) from newyork and i will have a connecting flight from newyork to new delhi with a layover of 21 hrs in japan. I want to go out of the airport ,do i need to apply for transit visa and how can i apply for it.
Hi Lavisha! You may be eligible for a Japan Shore Pass that would enable you to spend time outside the airport during a long layover.