Background on Working Holiday Visa Program in Japan
Japan’s working holiday program first started with Australia in 1980, and as of April 2020, it has expanded the program to 26 countries/regions.
The goal of the working holiday program is to make it possible for the youth of Japan and its partner countries to enter each others countries during holidays while allowing them to engage in employment to supplement their travel expenses.
By giving youth the opportunity to appreciate the culture and general way of life in the partner countries, they can help to promote mutual understanding between Japan and other countries & regions.
According to the Japan Ministry of Foreign affairs, the annual number of the youth who obtain Japanese working holiday visas totals nearly 15,000.
Which countries are eligible for the working holiday visa in Japan?
The following list of 26 countries are eligible for the working holiday program in Japan.
| Countries/regions | Year of initiation | Maximum number that could be issued per year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 1980 | no limit |
| 2 | New Zealand | 1985 | no limit |
| 3 | Canada | 1986 | 6,500 |
| 4 | Republic of Korea | 1999 | 10,000 |
| 5 | France | 2000 [Note] | 1,500 |
| 6 | Germany | 2000 | no limit |
| 7 | The United Kingdom | 2001 | 1,000 |
| 8 | Ireland | 2007 | 800 |
| 9 | Denmark | 2007 | no limit |
| 10 | Taiwan | 2009 | 10,000 |
| 11 | Hong Kong | 2010 | 1,500 |
| 12 | Norway | 2013 | no limit |
| 13 | Portugal | 2015 | no limit |
| 14 | Poland | 2015 | 500 |
| 15 | Slovakia | 2016 | 400 |
| 16 | Austria | 2016 | 200 |
| 17 | Hungary | 2017 | 200 |
| 18 | Spain | 2017 | 500 |
| 19 | Argentina | 2017 | From Japan to Argentina: 200 From Argentina to Japan: 400 |
| 20 | Chile | 2018 | 200 |
| 21 | Iceland | 2018 | 30 |
| 22 | Czech | 2018 | 400 |
| 23 | Lithuania | 2019 | 100 |
| 24 | Sweden | 2020 | no limit |
| 25 | Estonia | 2020 | From Japan to Estonia: no limit From Estonia to Japan: 100 |
| 26 | Netherlands | 2020 | 200 |
Who is eligible to participate in the working holiday visa in Japan?
To be eligible to participate in the program, you must satisfy the following requirements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- For a national of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Iceland, Czech or Lithuania an applicant must be currently residing in his or her country of nationality; for a resident in Hong Kong, an applicant must possess a valid HKSAR or British National Overseas passport; for a resident in Taiwan, an applicant must possess a valid passport of Taiwan.
- Intending primarily to spend holiday in Japan for a specific length of time.
- Being between 18 and 30 years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the visa; As for Australia, Canada and Republic of Korea, an applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age except in those cases where the competent authorities of Japan agree to extend the limitation of age to 30 years. In the case of Iceland, the applicant should be between 18 and 26 years of age.
- Not being accompanied by dependents or children.
- Possessing a valid passport of his or her country/region and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket.
- Possessing reasonable funds for the maintenance of his/her stay during the initial period of stay in Japan.
- Being in good health.
- Never having been issued a Japanese working holiday visa in the past.
Depending on your nationality, the requirements may also differ. For more information about the visa application procedures, contact an embassy or consulate in your country.
How to apply for Japan Working Holiday Visa
The method for applying will depend on your country of citizenship. You will need to find the website the Embassy or Consulates-General of your country to make the application.
Restriction on Japan Working Holiday Visa
While the main purpose of the working holiday program is to allow youth to engage in employment that will help to fund their travels, it unfortunately would be exploited by those will ill intentions.
The working holiday program does not allow its participants to work at bars, nightclubs, cabarets, gambling establishments, or other premises affecting public morals in Japan. This includes most all other nightlife and adult entertainment business. If a participant does work at such a place, or have been deemed to be in violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, they will be either jailed or deported.
Despite what some might tell you, it is not possible to legally work in any of these types of businesses on a working holiday visa. To ensure you have a safe and rewarding experience in Japan, we recommend taking no chances when it comes to ensuring you are working legally.
Other Information
One important point is that working holiday visa holders are also required to make a registration at the local municipal office within 14 days of finding a place to live. If you are moving around during the time you are in Japan, you also need to update your new municipal office within 14 days of your move.
Also, beware of agencies and other entities claiming to help obtain working holiday visas. The Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have any cooperation with any organizations to facilitate the awarding of working holiday visas. The only official source is through the Japanese Embassy of the partner countries.
Holders of the working holiday visa are also able to leverage job seeking services in Japan, such as Hello Work, or the Employment Service Center for Foreigners in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.