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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 1:23 pm
  #1  
Scifience
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Unaccompanied Minor Internationally
Hello,

I am 16, and will be travelling by myself to Japan for a month. Will I have any difficulties with airline staff/immigration officials with regards to being a teenager travelling alone?

Thanks.
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 1:28 pm
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fs2k2isfun
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I flew to Germany several times when I was about your age and never had any troubles. If you know your way around an airport you should be fine. I can't speak directly for travel to Asia though, but Europe has never been a problem for me.
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 3:18 pm
  #3  
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Alway pretend like you know what you are doing and you own the place
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 6:08 pm
  #4  
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Originally Posted by Scifience
Hello,

I am 16, and will be travelling by myself to Japan for a month. Will I have any difficulties with airline staff/immigration officials with regards to being a teenager travelling alone?

Thanks.
You will need a letter signed by both parents and notarized stating that you have their permission to travel to Japan and any countries through which you plan to transit in order to get to Japan. If you're in a group with an adult, the letter also needs to say that that person has your parents' permission to take you to Japan. It may help for the letter to state that they are funding your trip. Other than that, you shouldn't be given any problems as a legal minor. I don't believe the airlines will consider a 16-year-old an unaccompanied minor. (I think NW, US, AA, and UA all cut off around 14.)
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 6:10 pm
  #5  
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Originally Posted by Scifience
Hello,

I am 16, and will be travelling by myself to Japan for a month. Will I have any difficulties with airline staff/immigration officials with regards to being a teenager travelling alone?

Thanks.
You should be fine. I think actually stateside once you're 16 the airlines don't require you to travel as a UM (ergo you can travel as a regular passenger). I'd look into any immigration concerns in Japan with the US Dept of State and whatever their immigration people are regarding if you need any written document from your parents permitting you to enter the country without them.
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 6:59 pm
  #6  
Scifience
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Originally Posted by SQFreak
You will need a letter signed by both parents and notarized stating that you have their permission to travel to Japan and any countries through which you plan to transit in order to get to Japan.
That should be no problem, and sounds like good advice.

It may help for the letter to state that they are funding your trip.
Well, that would be a lie. I'm paying for the entire trip with money I've saved up over a couple of years for this trip.

I don't believe the airlines will consider a 16-year-old an unaccompanied minor. (I think NW, US, AA, and UA all cut off around 14.)
Yeah, I knew that. I was just using the term mainly to mean "someone under 18 travelling without parents." I knew from personal experience that I wouldn't be hasselled on a domestic flight, but didn't know if the procedures would be different for an international one.

Thanks for the input!
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 7:09 pm
  #7  
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know under-18ers who have flown without adults to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and even intra-mainland China flights. just have your passport ready. and a letter from parents wouldn't be a bad idea for backup
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Old Apr 30, 2006 | 11:13 pm
  #8  
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Originally Posted by bdesmond
I'd look into any immigration concerns in Japan with the US Dept of State and whatever their immigration people are regarding if you need any written document from your parents permitting you to enter the country without them.
Good point! Ask the Japanese Embassy what they suggest! (202)238-6700 (main) or (202)238-6800 (visa information).
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Old May 1, 2006 | 12:16 am
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Scifience
Hello,

I am 16, and will be travelling by myself to Japan for a month. Will I have any difficulties with airline staff/immigration officials with regards to being a teenager travelling alone?

Thanks.
Depends on whether your parents report you as missing.
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