What is the Working Holiday Visa?
The Working Holiday Visa allows young people from partner countries to experience Japanese culture while working to support their stay. It's a unique opportunity to live in Japan for up to 12 months.
Eligible Countries (32 Countries as of 2025)
Japan has Working Holiday agreements with:
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
- Americas: Canada, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay
- Europe: UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, Czech Republic, Iceland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta
- Asia: South Korea, Taiwan
- Other: Ukraine
Note: The US and China are NOT eligible for this program.
Requirements
- Age: 18-30 years old (18-26 for Iceland)
- Passport: Valid passport from an eligible country
- Funds: Sufficient money for initial expenses (varies by country)
- Return ticket: Or funds to purchase one
- Health: Good physical health
- No dependents: Cannot be accompanied by children
- First time: Never held a Japan WHV before (with some exceptions)
Second Stay Option (2024-2025 Updates)
Some nationalities can now participate twice:
- From December 2024: Canada, UK, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria
- From January 2025: Germany, Ireland, Slovakia
- From October 2025: South Korea
Application Process
You must apply in person at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing typically takes 5-10 business days. The visa is FREE for most nationalities.
What You Can Do
- Work part-time or full-time jobs
- Study Japanese (short courses)
- Travel throughout Japan