Japanese | English

Working Holiday Visa

  1. Purpose of working holiday arrangement

    The governments of Japan and Australia commenced the Japan-Australia Working Holiday arrangement on the 1st December 1980.
    The arrangement is intended to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. Visas are issued to youth intent on accomplishing these purposes whilst planning a long term stay and journey in the country. The Working Holiday visa is not intended to be a means of purely earning money.

  2. Eligibility to participate in the working holiday
    1. Be an Australian passport holder residing in Australia. Accordingly, Australian citizens who are traveling or living abroad will not be eligible.
    2. Be aged between 18-30 (inclusive) at the time of application for visa and never have previously obtained a Japanese Working Holiday visa.
    3. For married couples, applications are only accepted provided that they both meet the eligibility requirements and have no dependants. They must depart and travel together and both be travelling on Japanese Working Holiday visas.
    4. Be in good physical and mental health and be of good character.
    5. Possess a reasonable amount of funds for one's maintenance during the initial period of stay in Japan. The minimum amount for a single person is A$2500 and for a married couple is A$3500.
    6. Have not previously been to Japan on a Japanese Working Holiday visa.
  3. Requirementst
    1. A valid Australian passport (The applicant must e between 18 and 30 years of age).
    2. Visa application form To be fully completed with responses to all the questions and signed. A photo (45mm x 45mm) must be glued on the right side top.
    3. Curriculum Vitae or Resume, including educational background, work experience and other relevant information (written or typed on A4 paper).
    4. An outline of planned activities in Japan (form provided).
    5. A statement of the reason for applying for a Working Holiday Visa (written or typed on A4 paper).
    6. Proof of (transport) funds: A return ticket or proof of bank account balance, traveller's cheques, etc.
    7. Proof of sufficient funds for the initial stay in Japan (At least $2,500 for a single person, $3,500 for a married couple. e.g. Bank statement, traveller's cheques. Automatic teller printout is not acceptable. )
    8. Copy of work contract:
      If you have a work agreement in Japan, you are required to provide a copy of the contract with your employer.

    All requirements must be submitted. This office will not accept application if documents are insufficient. Documents (except for passport) submitted will not be returned. Therefore applicants should have their own flight details for reference.

  4. Work Conditions

    The following special conditions must be abided by if you wish to work in Japan on a Working Holiday visa.

    1. To fully appreciate the many different aspects of Japan, it is advised that the working holiday applicant moves to different areas within Japan at approximately 3-months intervals.
    2. Work in nightclubs, bars and cabarets, dance halls, Pachinko bars etc., is not allowed. The Act Controlling Business Affecting Public Morals (Fueiho), Article 2; section 1 and 4, specify these prohibited areas of work.
  5. For Your Information
    • This working holiday visa(not working visa) is a form of long term tourist visa, with the option that you may take up a part-time job in order to help support yourself if you should run out of funds. (Should you wish to work full time in Japan, you are required to apply for an Employment visa.)
    • Application of Working Holiday visa must be made and lodged by applicant. However, for applicants living in Tasmania, South Australia or outside Melbourne Metropolitan area, visa application may be submitted by post. A stamped self-addressed registered envelope must be enclosed for the return of applicant's passport.
    • Applications should be made in person NO later than 2 months before the applicant intends to travel to Japan.
    • There is no visa fee charged.
    • Applications for a Working Holiday visa will take one week to process.
    • Further information may be required and some applicants may require an interview, however we will contact you if this is necessary.
    • Working Holiday visas will only be issued to an applicant who has not obtained one previously. A second Working Holiday application will not be accepted.
    • The visa will not be issued urgently. Please apply well in advance of your planned departure.
    • You must have flihgt dates booked in and out of Japan to show you will be in Japan for not more than 6 (six) months. Flight dates booked in and out of Japan must correspond with period of stay i.e. 6 months or 4 months etc.
    • We recommend that you DO NOT purchase an airline ticket in advance in the case that your application is not approved or is delayed.
    • Documents (except for passport) submitted will not be returned. Therefore applicants should have their own flight details for reference.
    • Please note that documents may not be photocopied at this office.
    • Please refere to date of collection on receipt/docket and bring it for collection. Do not follow up your application unless you are told to do so.
    • Once the visa has been issued, it will not be reissued in any circumstances. (e.g. lost / stolen passport)
  6. Alien Registratin and Extention

    Working Holiday-makers must apply for an Alien Registration card within 90 days after entry into Japan. This is obtained at the local ward offices throughout Japan.

    In accordance with the conditions of the Working Holiday scheme, the visa can only be issued as a single entry visa and is valid for an initial stay of 6 months, which will commence from the day of entry into Japan. Applications for extensions of your period of stay can be made at an Immigration Office in Japan, however please note that extensions are granted at the discretion of the Department of Immigration in Japan and that there is no guarantee that an extension will be granted. Please attend to the extension prior to the expiration of your visa.

    As the Working Holiday visa is for a single entry only, you will have to obtain a “re-entry permit” at your local Department of Immigration offices in Japan if you wish to leave Japan and return to continue your Working Holiday. If you do not obtain a re-entry permit and leave the country, your visa is automatically cancelled.
    Regional Immigration Bureaus

  7. Information Centre

    Working Holiday-makers who do not have friends or contacts in Japan and who wish to obtain advice or information on matters such as employment or help with accommodation, are advised to contact the following organizations:
    Head Office
    Sunplaza 7F 4-1-1 Nakano Nakano-ku Tokyo 164-8512 Japan
    Tel: 03-3389-0181 / Fax: 03-3389-1563
    Osaka Branch
    4F “L” Osaka 3-14 Kitahama-Higashi Chuo-ku Osaka-shi Osaka 540-0031 Japan
    Tel: 06-6946-7010 / Fax: 06-6946-7021
    Kyushu Branch
    Maison Aqua 3F 1-3-20 Arato Chuo-ku Fukuoka-shi Fukuoka 810-0062 Japan
    Tel: 092-713-0854 / Fax: 092-752-2415
    * Internet web site: www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/index.html