Last updated 2026-05-18
Working holiday visa to Japan
Youth exchange scheme visa
Visa overview
Under Japan's Working Holiday Scheme, individuals from certain countries who wish to stay in Japan primarily for a holiday may be granted a visa allowing them to enter and stay in Japan for up to one year, with permission to work incidentally to their holiday in order to supplement their travel funds.
Eligible individuals
Young individual of a certain nationality
Time frames and cost
The primary characteristics that define the conditions for obtaining and using a visa. These conditions may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and the decision of the immigration authorities of the country.
from 3 months to 1 year
Visa validity period
The period during which the visa remains valid and can be used for entry into the country. The validity period or expiration date is indicated directly on the visa itself.
Working holiday visas are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. The participant must enter Japan before the visa expiration date.
1 year
Duration of stay
The maximum duration for which one is permitted to stay in the country continuously from the date of entry.
Participants in the program will be granted a residence permit valid for one year from the date of entry into Japan. Within 14 days of arriving at their new place of residence in Japan, Working Holiday participants must apply for resident registration at the local government office corresponding to their place of residence.
Not applicable
Extension of stay
The extension of the maximum duration of stay in the country initially permitted by the visa, subject to approval by the immigration authorities. This is typically processed within the country without the need for departure.
Generally, the maximum stay on this visa is one year and cannot be extended. However, if the holder of a Working Holiday visa can demonstrate exceptional skills, they may be eligible to apply for a work visa, such as an Engineer/Humanities/International Services visa or a Highly Skilled Worker visa. For citizens of the UK, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, returning to their home country after the Working Holiday period is mandatory, which excludes the possibility of directly converting the Working Holiday visa to a work visa while in Japan. For nationals of Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria, the Working Holiday Programmes allow two lifetime participations: For nationals of Canada and the United Kingdom, this can be either two consecutive years of stay or two separate one-year stays in total. For nationals of New Zealand, Denmark, and Austria, this means two separate one-year stays in total. For nationals of Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia, the Working Holiday Programmes allow two lifetime participations consisting of two separate one-year stays in total.
single-entry
The possibility of entering the country only once during the visa's validity period. After departure from the country with such a visa, re-entry is not possible, even if the visa's validity period has not yet expired.
Number of entries
A parameter specifying the number of times the visa holder can enter the country during its validity period. Visas can be single-entry, multiple-entry, or with a specified number of entries.
Working Holiday visas are for a single entry. However, if the participant must leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return to Japan within their initial one-year period of stay, they must obtain a special re-entry permit when leaving Japan temporarily.
from 5 days to 10 days
Processing time
The period during which the immigration authorities review the application and make a decision regarding the issuance of the visa. Only business days are counted, excluding weekends and public holidays.
The standard processing time for such a visa, in the absence of problems with the content of the application, is five working days from the day following the date of acceptance of the application. However, this period may be extended in individual cases, especially when additional documents are required from the applicant.
¥3,000 (~$19)
Consular fee
A fee levied for the processing and evaluation of an application. This charge is non-refundable under any circumstances. In certain instances, the payment of supplementary fees may be required.
The fee may be waived or may vary depending on the applicant's nationality and the specific purpose of the visit. According to Japanese law, the visa fee is only charged if the application of a foreign national is approved. The visa fee is the official fee for processing the visa application by the Japanese embassy or consulate and does not include any additional fees that may be required depending on the location and method of application, such as visa application center fees, fees for processing permits and other documents, postal and courier delivery of documents, etc.
Documents
A list of documents required for visa application. The exact list depends on the chosen visa type, the purpose of the visit, and the individual conditions of the applicant.
Mandatory
The essential minimum documents required for a visa application, such as a passport or visa application form. These are necessary regardless of the location, method, or conditions of the application.
Passport
Original and photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned data of visit and have at least two blank pages for the visa to be affixed in.
Visa application form
Signed by the applicant. A digital signature is invalid. Nationals of Russia and CIS countries are required to submit two application forms attached with a photo.
Photograph
The photo must be in color, sized 45mm × 45mm without borders, taken against a plain white background with no patterns. It should be taken in person by the applicant no more than six months before the application. The face must be clearly visible, looking straight ahead, without hats or other head coverings (except for religious reasons), and no objects should appear in the background. The photo should clearly identify the applicant, be a frontal view, and free of glare or shadows. NB: Nationals of Russia or CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two photographs.
Supporting
Documents that specify, substantiate, and confirm the purpose of the visit, as well as provide necessary information about the applicant and their future activities in the country.
Proof of accommodation
Confirmed hotel booking, rental contract, proof of residential property.
Proof of financial means
Recent bank statement for the last three months or any other proof of income. This document must demonstrate sufficient funds to support oneself for the entire stay and for return expenses. In cases of sponsorship by a host, an invitation letter with financial commitments and proof of the sponsor's income must also be provided.
Academic CV
Proof of applicant's academic qualifications (diplomas, certificates, transcripts, etc.).
Professional CV
Proof of previous professional background (work certificate, letter of reference, etc.).
Covering letter
A letter addressed to the Embassy/Consulate, detailing why the applicant wants to visit Japan.
Travel itinerary
A schedule or itinerary of the stay in Japan. The applicant has to submit an itinerary of what they plan to do every month during the stay, including in which cities the foreigner will stay, what they will work, or what other activities they will engage in.
Additional
Documents required vary depending on individual circumstances, specific visa conditions, the place, and the method of application.
Current immigration or residence status
National passport or ID card; residence permit or other document confirming the right to legally reside in the country of residence, if it differs from the one stated in the applicant's passport.
Return flight ticket
Return flight ticket or a sum for repatriation.
*Foreign official documents must be apostilled and legalized in accordance with the regulations of the country whose consular or diplomatic mission they are being submitted to. Additionally, they must be accompanied by a certified translation into the official language of that country or into English, unless otherwise specified by the mission's requirements.
**Prior to submitting the documents, it is strongly advised to verify the specific procedures and requirements with the relevant mission.
Requirements
The minimum criteria that each visa applicant must meet. If these criteria are not met, justifications and convincing evidence of intent to visit the country must be provided.
Clear purposes of the visit and documents confirming them, in accordance with the visa conditions.
Sufficient means to support oneself and their dependents for the duration of their stay in the country.
The applicant does not pose a threat to public order, internal security, public health or international relations of the country.
Valid permanent resident status or proof thereof; all preliminary procedures for visa application have been completed.
Being between 18 and 30 years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the visa.
For citizens of Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland, an applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age except in those cases where the competent authorities of each applicable country and Japan agree to extend the limitation of age to 30 years.
For citizens of Iceland, the applicant should be between 18 and 26 years of age.
Visa Information
The characteristics of a visa according to its classification by types, categories, and visit purposes. These are selected by the applicant during the application process, typically indicated on the visa application form and reflected in corresponding annotations on the visa itself.
English international
Category code
A letter-based or alphanumeric code for a specific visa category, indicating its conditions or serving as an abbreviated name. This code is typically found on the visa or visa stamp.
S
Type of visa
The primary purpose of the visa and the conditions under which it is issued. This typically includes several general categories of visas and/or visit purposes based on the type of activity or reasons for entering the country.
Working holiday visa
Category
The classification within a visa type that specifies more specific conditions, characteristics of obtaining, and using the visa. Categories may vary in terms of duration, stay conditions, and the rights granted by the visa.
Working holiday visa
Sources
Links to official resources upon which the information presented on the website is based. Information portals of government bodies or diplomatic representations of the country responsible for visa issuance and immigration policy in general.
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