Part of 特定活動 (Designated Activities). The Working Holiday visa is officially 特定活動告示第 5 号 (ワーキング・ホリデー) — one of 20+ sub-types under Japan's catch-all Designated Activities residence status. See the Designated Activities hub for the full list of sub-types.
The Working Holiday visa (ワーキング・ホリデー) allows young adults from eligible countries to live, travel, and work in Japan for up to one year, experiencing Japanese culture and daily life in a way that short-term tourism does not allow. The program exists under bilateral government agreements and offers one of the most accessible and flexible ways to live in Japan long-term without the requirements of a formal work or student visa.
Japan has arrangements with 32 countries and regions (as of April 2026), including South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and many other European and South American countries.
Working Holiday visa holders may engage in part-time work across a wide range of industries to supplement their travel funds, though the visa's primary purpose is travel and cultural experience, not employment. There are some restrictions — notably on working in adult entertainment establishments. Work in agriculture, hospitality, teaching English, and retail are common among Working Holiday participants. The visa cannot be renewed, and for most nationalities it can be used only once (nationals of 10 partners can now take part twice), so plan the year well.
Who Is This For
- ✓Young adults aged 18–30 from partner countries (Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland: 18–25, or up to 30 where their government allows)
- ✓Travelers who wish to experience life in Japan for an extended period while supplementing funds through part-time work
- ✓Language learners and culture enthusiasts seeking immersive living experience
Validity Periods
1 year
Single Residence Period: Up to 1 year
Requirements
- •Citizenship of one of the 32 partner countries or regions (see below)
- •Aged 18–30 at the time of application (Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland: 18–25 in principle)
- •Valid passport from an eligible country
- •Living in your country of nationality when you apply (not required for French, German and Austrian nationals); for Hong Kong, a Hong Kong resident with an HKSAR or BNO passport; for Taiwan, a Taiwan resident with a Taiwan passport
- •Your main purpose is a holiday in Japan; work is there to fund the stay
- •Sufficient funds to cover initial expenses upon arrival (typically ¥250,000 or equivalent)
- •Return or onward air ticket (or sufficient funds to purchase one)
- •No dependent children accompanying the applicant
- •Good health
- •No previous Japanese Working Holiday visa — unless your country or region allows a second one (New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Slovakia, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada and the UK)
- •Clean immigration record
Working Holiday Partner Countries & Regions (32, MOFA as of 1 Apr 2026)
| Country/Region | Age Limit | Annual Quota | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 18-25 (30) | Unlimited | 1980 |
| New Zealand | 18-30 | Unlimited | 1985 |
| Canada | 18-25 (30) | 6,283 | 1986 |
| South Korea | 18-25 (30) | 10,000 | 1999 |
| France | 18-30 | 1,800 | 2000 |
| Germany | 18-30 | Unlimited | 2000 |
| United Kingdom | 18-30 | 6,000 | 2001 |
| Ireland | 18-25 (30) | 800 | 2007 |
| Denmark | 18-30 | Unlimited | 2007 |
| Taiwan | 18-30 | 10,000 | 2009 |
| Hong Kong | 18-30 | 1,500 | 2010 |
| Norway | 18-30 | Unlimited | 2013 |
| Portugal | 18-30 | Unlimited | 2015 |
| Poland | 18-30 | 500 | 2015 |
| Slovakia | 18-30 | 400 | 2016 |
| Austria | 18-30 | 200 | 2016 |
| Hungary | 18-30 | 200 | 2017 |
| Spain | 18-30 | 700 | 2017 |
| Argentina | 18-30 | 400 | 2017 |
| Chile | 18-30 | 200 | 2018 |
| Iceland | 18-30 | 30 | 2018 |
| Czech Republic | 18-30 | 400 | 2018 |
| Lithuania | 18-30 | 100 | 2019 |
| Sweden | 18-30 | Unlimited | 2020 |
| Estonia | 18-30 | 100 | 2020 |
| Netherlands | 18-30 | 200 | 2020 |
| Uruguay | 18-30 | 100 | 2023 |
| Finland | 18-30 | 200 | 2023 |
| Latvia | 18-30 | 100 | 2023 |
| Luxembourg | 18-30 | 100 | 2024 |
| MaltaNew | 18-30 | 100 | 2026 |
| ItalyNew | 18-30 | 500 | 2026 |
Country names link to the Japanese embassy (Taiwan: Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association). Requirements such as proof of funds and documents vary by nationality — the embassy's instructions are what count.
Source: MOFA — The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan (quotas are for nationals coming to Japan).
Costs & Fees
Visa application feeFree for most partners (confirm with your embassy)
Proof of funds (recommended)approx. 250,000-300,000 JPY in savings
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Visa fees
Single-entry 15,000 JPY, multiple-entry 30,000 JPY (new rates from July 1, 2026; India exempt under a bilateral agreement).
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Completed Working Holiday visa application form
- Visa photo taken within 6 months (white background, 45 mm high × 35 mm wide, as printed on the application form; see photo requirements)
- Proof of financial means (bank statement showing sufficient funds)
- Round-trip or onward ticket reservation (or proof of funds to purchase)
- CV/résumé, a written reason for applying and an outline of your planned activities in Japan (most embassies ask for all three)
- Health certificate or self-declaration of good health (if required by Embassy)
Where to Apply
Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of nationality (cannot be applied for within Japan)
Application Process
- 1Check that your country or region is on the partner list, and its age limit and annual quota (table above)
- 2Prepare the documents and apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country or region (Taiwan: Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Taipei or Kaohsiung office; Hong Kong: Consulate-General of Japan) — no COE is needed. Requirements such as proof of funds vary by nationality, so follow that embassy's instructions
- 3Wait for the decision — about 5–10 working days at most embassies; some take longer, and once a quota fills, applications can close for the year
- 4Collect your visa and enter Japan while it is still valid
- 5Arriving at New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Hiroshima or Fukuoka airport, you receive your residence card on the spot; at other ports it is posted to you after you register your address
- 6Within 14 days of settling, register your address at the city or ward office and join National Health Insurance and the National Pension (age 20+) at the same counter
- 7Work as needed to fund your travel — no separate work permit is needed; the designation (指定書) attached to your passport shows what you may do
Work Restrictions
Almost any job is allowed, but not at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments, pachinko or mahjong parlours or other businesses affecting public morals (風俗営業 — game arcades and adult entertainment included). MOFA warns that working at such places means deportation unless you are found to be a victim of human trafficking, and whoever puts you to work there can face criminal charges. Work is meant to fund your travel, not to be the main purpose of the stay.
Family & Dependents
Working Holiday visas do not permit family accompaniment.
Renewal & Extension
Non-renewable. The period is fixed at 1 year; participation is usually once per person (twice for 10 partners). Must leave Japan or change to another status of residence upon expiry.
Common Visa Transition Paths
These are the most common paths — many other transitions are possible if you meet the eligibility criteria for another residence status.
Engineer / Humanities / International Services
A professional job lets you apply for a work visa (whether you can change inside Japan depends on the immigration office; otherwise re-enter with the COE)
Student
Can switch to student visa to continue studies
Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1 & 2)
Can switch to Specified Skilled Worker visa if conditions are met
Important Notices
- ⚠Age restrictions are strict; must be 18-30 years old (25 for some countries) at the time of application; cannot apply if overage
- ⚠Usually granted once per person. A second time is allowed for nationals of Canada and the UK (from 1 Dec 2024 — two consecutive years or two separate one-year stays), New Zealand, Denmark and Austria (1 Dec 2024), Germany, Ireland and Slovakia (1 Jan 2025), South Korea (1 Oct 2025) and people from Taiwan (1 Feb 2026); except for Canada and the UK the two one-year stays cannot be back to back. A refusal does not use up eligibility — you can reapply, generally after 6 months for the same purpose
- ⚠Must leave Japan on time if a formal job for visa change has not been found before expiry
- ⚠Do not engage in full-time work on a Working Holiday visa while ignoring the travel purpose
- ⚠Beware of businesses that claim they can get you a Working Holiday visa: MOFA says there is no organisation in Japan, incorporated associations included, that it works with to run the programme. The visa is applied for at the Japanese embassy.
Practical Tips
- →It is recommended to travel and acclimatize first after entry, while working part-time to learn about the Japanese workplace
- →If planning to stay in Japan long-term, start looking for formal employment for visa change from the moment of entry
- →Work experience accumulated during the stay helps with subsequent changes to an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities visa
- →The higher the Japanese proficiency, the better the job options available; it is recommended to reach at least N3 level before departure
FAQ
Which countries and regions are eligible for the Japan Working Holiday visa?▾
As of 1 April 2026, Japan runs Working Holiday arrangements with 32 countries and regions: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta and Italy. Hong Kong residents need an HKSAR or BNO passport; Macau is not on MOFA's list.
Can I work full-time during my working holiday?▾
Yes, but with caveats. The Working Holiday visa is designed for travel with supplementary work, not full-time employment. While there is no strict limit on weekly working hours under most agreements, spending the majority of your stay working in one place rather than traveling may attract scrutiny. Some embassies and visa terms recommend treating work as a means to fund travel, not as the primary purpose.
Can I study Japanese during my working holiday?▾
Yes. Short-term language study (typically up to 3 months of enrollment in a language school) is generally permitted under the Working Holiday visa, in addition to working and traveling.
Can the Working Holiday visa be extended or renewed?▾
Generally no. The Working Holiday visa gives a fixed one-year stay that cannot be renewed or extended, and most nationalities can take part only once (10 partners allow a second time). Once the year expires, you must depart Japan. If you wish to remain in Japan, you must qualify for and apply for a different visa status (e.g., work visa, student visa) before or after departure.
Can I do a Working Holiday in Japan twice?▾
Only if you are from one of 10 partners. From 1 December 2024: Canada and the UK (two consecutive years, or two separate one-year stays), New Zealand, Denmark and Austria; from 1 January 2025: Germany, Ireland and Slovakia; from 1 October 2025: South Korea; from 1 February 2026: Taiwan. Except for Canadian and British nationals, the two stays must be separate — you cannot go straight from the first year into the second. Everyone else can take part once. Ask the Japanese embassy in your country how to apply the second time.
Can I switch from a Working Holiday visa to a work visa without leaving Japan?▾
Sometimes, but there is no official rule: it depends on your nationality and on the immigration office. One Taiwanese working-holiday maker whose employer obtained an Engineer/Humanities COE was told at the Chiba office to go back to Taiwan, then applied for a change of status at the Tokyo bureau (Shinagawa) the same afternoon and received a new residence card on the spot. The safe route: once you have a job offer, have the employer apply for a COE; with the COE in hand, ask the immigration office with jurisdiction whether you can change status in Japan; if not, go home and enter again on a visa issued with that COE.
Is there a limit on the number of Working Holiday visas each year?▾
For most partners, yes. MOFA sets an annual quota for each country or region — see the partner table on this page. Seven (Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Sweden) have no cap, and the largest capped quotas are South Korea's and Taiwan's. Once a quota fills, the embassy can stop accepting applications for that year, so apply a few months before you plan to travel.
How do Working Holiday makers find work in Japan, and what jobs are off-limits?▾
Common jobs are in restaurants and cafés, hotels, ski and beach resorts, farms, retail and English teaching. Ways in: job sites and recruiters that advertise for Working Holiday makers, applying directly to resorts before the season, and the public Hello Work offices — the Foreign Employment Service Centres in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka specialise in foreign job seekers. You may not work at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments, pachinko or mahjong parlours or other businesses affecting public morals; doing so means deportation.