Japan Work Holiday

Japan Working Holiday Programmes

Official Site
Organizer: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Facebook: Here.

Official Program Objective: "Since the Working Holiday programme is intended to promote greater mutual understanding, the applicant's primary aim should be to holiday in Japan. The programme is not designed for persons who mainly intend to work or study in Japan (for which purposes the appropriate visa should be sought)."

Program Eligibility: "The applicant:
- must be a citizen/national of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland or Denmark currently residing in his or her country of citizenship, or must be a resident of Taiwan or Hong Kong.
- must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific length of time.
- must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
- must possess a valid passport and a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
- 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.
- must be in good health and not have a criminal record."

Number of Participants: Unknown.

Program Duration: "An initial stay of up to six months is granted for Australia, New Zealand and Canada (one year for the Republic of Korea, France, Germany, U.K., Ireland and Denmark. France, U.K., Ireland, Taiwan and Hong Kong cannot be extended.) This may be extended up to another six months by the immigration authorities. Details are available from the Immigration Bureau."

Cost/Salary: Unknown.

Admission Difficulty: Unknown.

Repeat Participants? No. "Working Holiday visas will be issued only to persons who have never obtained one before."

The Low-Down: This program is available for citizens of Australia, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Detailed information for applicants from each region is available at the official website.