Introduction

The Working Holiday visa is a special visa intended to promote understanding between participant nations by allowing young people to travel and work freely in other participant countries. General features of the visa:

• Once only: Officially you can only apply for one Working Holiday visa in your life. However it appears that under certain circumstances an Embassy or Consulate will consider applicants for a second visit.
• Period of Stay: An initial stay of up to six months is granted, although Korean, British and German nationals tend to be issued a one-year visa that cannot be extended further. Other nationals can extend for another six months at the Immigration Office in Japan in the last month before expiry of the visa. On renewal, you will generally have to explain what you are doing and how you are supporting your stay. Australians can usually receive 2 extensions for an 18-month stay.
• Re-entry Permits: The Working Holiday visa is a single-entry visa so will be cancelled when you leave the country, unless you apply for a re-entry permit from the immigration office before leaving Japan. This exit and re-entry does not alter the allowed period of stay.
• Validity: Visa recipients must enter Japan within six months after the date of issue.
• Visa Fees: There is no charge for a Working Holiday visa.
• Paid work: Working Holiday visa holders can engage in almost any kind of job, part-time or full-time, excluding entertainment locations (see below). Note: Your stay is intended to be basically a holiday, so if you apply to renew your visa it's a good idea to write down in as much detail as you can your holiday activities/travel etc.

Most working holiday makers find it reasonably easy to obtain employment either in the tourism/hospitality industry (there don't seem to many ski resorts or golf clubs that don't have smiling gaijin staff, whether they are ski instructors, waitresses or caddies etc.) or using their English or other language skills. There is a significant amount of work available proofreading, translating (if you have the Japanese skills - i.e. the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 1 or maybe level 2) and English (and sometimes other language) teaching/tutoring. You will not necessarily need to be qualified, though qualifications and the relevant work experience will help make employment easier to find and more financially rewarding.

Conditions for the Working Holiday Visa:

Officially the applicant's primary aim should be to holiday in Japan. The program is not designed for persons who intend to spend all of their stay in Japan working or studying (in which case you are supposed to seek a work or student visa).

• You must be a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Korea, Germany or the United Kingdom currently residing in your country of citizenship. You have 6 months to use the visa after it is issued.
• You must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific length of time.
• You must be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application.
• You must possess a valid passport and a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
• You must possess reasonable funds for living expenses, including medical expenses, during the period of the initial stay in Japan. For a single person, the minimum is US$2000, for a married couple, US$3000 or equivalent amount of the national currency. Education Japan suggests you have a fair bit more.
• You must be in good health and not have a criminal record.

The Working Holiday Visa is available all year round. To apply for the Working Holiday visa, contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest you. There is no application fee.

Application Requirements

The documents required for application are available from all Japanese Embassies and Consulates.

• Application form in duplicate.
• Two identical passport photographs (45mm x 45mm) glued to the application form.
• Resume/Curriculum vitae in duplicate on A4 paper, including educational background, work experience, hobbies, and other relevant information.
• Outline of planned activities and itinerary in Japan, in duplicate.
• Statement of the reason for applying for Working Holiday visa in duplicate on A4 paper.
• Proof of adequate travel funds (a return ticket, proof of possession of a bank account, traveler's cheques, etc.)
• Proof of sufficient funds to support the initial stay in Japan: At least US$2000 for a single person, US$3000 for a married couple. (Education Japan strongly recommends that you save more than this.)

Applications Procedures for obtaining the visa.

You have to apply for the working holiday visa in person. Applications submitted by agents, a friend or a group will not be accepted (i.e. we can't help you with the actual visa application here).

• All application documents must be submitted to the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan in the applicant's country of residence.
• The application must be made at least three weeks before the anticipated departure date. Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted. It is best to avoid the worry and apply earlier.
• Some alternative and/or additional documents may be required. Particulars can be obtained from the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.
• An interview with the visa officer may be required.

Some good reasons for studying on a Working Holiday visa:

• Prior to departure for Japan: If the school or institute has its own accomodation, then you could have an apartment or room waiting for you that would probably cost you less for 1 month than a Youth Hostel would charge you in a week. You would have a guaranteed postal address before you leave, so it's useful for sending essential items ahead by post - great if you are planning to backpack through other countries prior to arrival.
• If you are already in Japan: The schools and institutes can offer the opportunity to take a break from work, improve your Japanese, try a homestay, see a different area of the country during an extended 1-3 month stopover at much less cost than usual and make contacts around the world.
• If you want to extend your stay: You can usually make an easy transfer to a renewable student visa. No need to leave Japan and re-enter.