Japan's Working Holiday visa: a step-by-step guide
Eligibility, documents, funds, what you can and cannot do, and your first two weeks after landing in Japan on a Working Holiday visa.
Japan's Working Holiday programme lets young people from partner countries live in Japan for up to a year, travel, and work to support their stay. It is one of the easiest ways to test life in Japan without a job offer or a university place. This guide covers who can apply, how to prepare and what to do after you land.
Who can apply
Japan has Working Holiday agreements with around 30 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Argentina. The general conditions are:
- You are a citizen and resident of a partner country
- You are usually aged 18 to 30 when you apply (some countries have 18 to 25, check your embassy's page)
- Your main purpose is a holiday, with work allowed as a supplement
- You have not held a Japanese Working Holiday visa before
- You have enough money for the start of your stay and a return ticket, or funds to buy one
- You are in good health and have no criminal record
Some countries have an annual quota and open applications at set times of year. The UK uses a separate Youth Mobility style scheme with its own process, so check the rules for your nationality carefully.
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