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Working Holiday Visa

Working Holiday

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–2 weeks

Estimated Cost

GBP £15

Stay Duration

1 year

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Japan

Cost of Living

32% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary¥3,240,000

Quality of Life

181/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Visa for young adults (18-30) from partner countries to work and travel in Japan for up to 1 year.

Japan's Working Holiday Visa is a cultural exchange program that lets young adults from 32 partner countries live, travel, and work in Japan for up to one year. Open to nationals aged 18-30, it requires no job offer — work is permitted to supplement travel funds.

The visa is free for most nationalities, issued once per lifetime (though nationals of Canada, UK, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia may apply twice). No dependents are allowed. There is no PR pathway; the visa is non-renewable and lasts up to one year.

This visa is ideal for nationals aged 18-30 from a partner country who want to explore Japan for up to a year without a job offer or sponsorship.

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Cost Breakdown

Visa Fee (for non-exempt nationalities, e.g., UK citizens)GBP £15

Visa Fee (for exempt nationalities)JPY ¥0

TotalGBP £15

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

Eligible Nationalities (32)

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Canada

Chile

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong SAR China Hungary

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

South Korea Latvia

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

New Zealand Norway

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country/region with a bilateral Working Holiday agreement with Japan.

Must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application (age limits may vary by country).

Must be currently residing in their country of nationality.

Must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for up to one year.

Must possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one.

Must possess reasonable funds for maintenance during the initial stay.

Must not be accompanied by dependents unless they have their own legal status.

Must have never previously been issued a Japanese Working Holiday visa (except for nationals of countries with bilateral agreements allowing two participations, such as Canada, UK, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia).

Must be in good health and have no criminal record.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

One photograph (typically 45mm x 45mm, taken within the last 6 months)

Personal resume or curriculum vitae

Proposed itinerary for the stay in Japan

Written reason for applying for the Working Holiday visa

Proof of sufficient funds (e.g., bank statements)

Medical certificate (if required by the specific embassy/consulate)

Application Process

Check qualification

Confirm citizenship from qualifying country and age requirements

Prepare documents

Gather passport, photos, proof of funds, health certificate

Apply at embassy

Submit application at Japanese embassy or consulate

Await approval

Processing is 5 working days from date of receipt (7-14 calendar days) when no issues with application

Receive visa

Passport returned with working holiday visa stamp

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Working Holiday Visa Application

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