The Working Holiday Visa Japan is an once-in-a-lifetime chance and provides you with the possibility to grow your personality while emerging in a unknown culture. Let me guide you as a former Working Holiday participants through the questions and challenges that you will most likely encounter.
Start Reading Now
The Working Holiday Visa is a special program making it possible for citizens of one country to enter the other primarily for a holiday over an extended period, and also to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their trip in order to supplement their travel funds.
– It is not suitable if your main intention is to work.
– The main intention/reason should be for a holiday/travel in Japan.
Please note the working holiday visa is available for a limited list of countries and ages, see below:
To quickly jump to a specific section of the guide, click on the “≡” menu icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
In the table of contents that opens, you can jump directly to the content by clicking on the desired section.
Who is it suitable for?
-Those who want to travel around Japan.
-Those who want to experience living in Japan for up to 6 months / 1 year / 2 years (length allowed depends on the citizenship).
-Those who want to experience the culture.
-Those who want to learn the Japanese language (optional).
Which nationalities are entitled to submit applications?
There is a list of specific countries eligible.
See below for the latest information from the government:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
For which age group?
It depends on the citizenship. For the citizens eligible, they must be between 18 and 30 years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the visa.
As for Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland, as of April 2026, an applicant should be between 18 and 25 years of age except in those cases where the authorities of each applicable country and Japan agree to extend the limitation of age to 30 years.
Part-time job possible?
Yes.
(Employment in industries such as nightlife, gambling, love hotels or the other industries affecting public morals is strictly prohibited.)
Even full-time jobs are possible.
Suitable for flexible travel through Japan?
Yes.
You are encouraged to go to different locations around Japan, every 3 months, to make the most of it.
Terms possible to start:
No specific term to apply. For some countries, there is a limit every year of the number of applicants.
Application deadlines:
If you wish to take language lessons, it is best to apply 3 months in advance. Sometimes, 1 month in advance is okay. If you wish to book accommodation, at least 2-3 months in advance is best.
Choosing the right visa is crucial.
The Working Holiday visa, is intended for young people to holiday in Japan. As a side-quest, it is also possible to work in Japan. The main reason should not be to work in Japan, (so you should have savings before arriving).
Although it is not meant for enrolling in academic institutions (such as universities), it is possible to take Japanese lessons at a language school in Japan on a working holiday visa, to better understand the language and culture, to further enhance your experience.
If your main goal is to study Japanese, then the student visa will be more suitable for you. The student visa allows a stay of up to two years in language school studies. If a move to a Japanese university is sought, a longer period of time can also be granted. Student visas should not be confused with the Working Holiday Visa. Both visas differ fundamentally in purpose, prerequisites and target group. If you are unsure which visa is a better fit for your own situation, you will find all the relevant information in our Student Visa Guide.
The Working Holiday Visa is only available for applicants from certain countries with which Japan has a bilateral agreement (meaning, both countries need to allow). The required documents and the visa application procedure vary slightly depending on the applicant's nationality.
Yes.
Depending on the country, the age limit is as below:
For the citizens eligible, they must be between 18 and 30 years of age both inclusive at the time of application for the visa. (This means, it is possible to apply once you turn 18, and before your 31st birthday).
Please also note that once you are accepted for the visa, there is a certain time-frame that you must enter Japan by.
As for 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.
Yes!
It is possible to work in Japan, both part-time and full-time.
However, it should not be your main purpose of coming to Japan. It can be an incidental part of your stay, to supplement your travel funds. At the same time, a job offers the opportunity to be actively involved in your new language environment – which makes learning Japanese particularly efficient. An extra permit is not needed to work on a working holiday visa.
(Employment in industries such as nightlife, gambling, love hotels or the other industries affecting public morals is strictly prohibited.)
Generally, classic part-time jobs are permitted, such as working as a helper in a supermarket or convenience store, tutoring English, cleaning, or doing simple manual labor in trades. However, all businesses that fall under Japan's Entertainment Industry Regulation Act are prohibited—for example, hostess clubs, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, love hotels, and the adult entertainment industry. It doesn't matter what kind of work you do there: Even tasks like washing dishes or cleaning in such establishments are strictly forbidden. If in doubt, you should check beforehand whether a job offer is permissible—ideally with your language school or an immigration advisor.
Important: The lower your language level, the more difficult the job search will be. In Japan, even for part-time jobs, a basic understanding of the language is almost always required. This means that someone currently at JLPT N5 level will likely have difficulty finding a part-time job. From N3 onward—and especially from N2 onward—significantly more opportunities open up, and the job search becomes noticeably easier.
Yes! This visa is excellent for experiencing the whole of Japan: Many people stick to Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, but Japan is much more than that. From the North of Japan: Snowy Hokkaido, which was the traditional land of the Ainu, to the Southernmost point: Okinawa, with tropical beaches, there is so much to discover. ENJ even has a farmstay in Hokkaido, so you can travel from the top down the whole of Japan, and experience local life here.
- Available only for certain nationalities (including Germany, Austria, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands)
- Age restriction (18-30 for most countries)
- Short-term language courses are possible (e.g., a 3-month language course)
- The visa is not tied to a specific location.
- You can choose your place of residence flexibly. (Must still register your address at the town/city hall.)
- Japanese language skills are not required for application.
- Can be applied for by any nationality
- No age limit (however, stricter requirements may apply for those over 30)
- Minimum study duration: 6 months (language school course); some schools require a minimum of 1 year
- Visa is location-based (residence near the language school/university)
- Proof of 150 hours of Japanese language instruction is required for application (or proof of passing the JLPT N5 or equivalent).
For more information about the Student Visa, click here.
Unlike the student visa, the Working Holiday Visa does not require proof of Japanese language proficiency.
However, the authorities in Japan want to ensure that participants in the Working Holiday Program do not find themselves in financial distress. Therefore, proof of financial savings must be provided when applying. For example, for Australian citizens, the minimum amount for a single person is A$2500 and for a married/de-facto couple is A$3500.
The applicant must also:
・Understand the purpose of the visa
・Has no criminal record
・Be between 18 and 30 years old
The application must be submitted in person at the appropriate embassy.
The requirements may vary slightly depending on the country where the application is submitted.
As former working holiday participants we know how rewarding the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of the Working Holiday Visa Japan can be. At the same time it's not easy to navigate information, visa application and necessary bureaucratic procedures once you are in Japan. Let alone find an accommodation or apply to a suitable language school when you are at the beginning of your Japanese language learning journey.
That's why ENJ guides you through the whole process - so you can start the adventure with ease of mind.
See the contents at a glance:
Pick your first accommodation from a list of different locations and arrive with a ease of mind! Settle down and get used to your new environment in your pre-arranged accommodation.
The application process can be daunting! We guide you through the process
Your source of information to prepare you before you arrive in Japan and your guidance on necessary procedures while you're traveling throughout the country - always readily available for you offline on your phone.
Free application support to language schools in Japan- Introduction to accommodation providers with English assistance, actively wanting international people to stay- assistance & support via mail/phone/messenger.
The good news first: Applying for a visa at the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate is free of charge for most nationalities.
Monthly living expenses:
It largely varies, depending on the person and lifestyle.
| Cost per month | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared house or student residence, city) | Approx. 50,000 ~ 105,000 JPY (315 ~ 660 USD) |
| Food, clothing, social life, other | Approx. 40,000 ~ 120,000 JPY (250 ~ 750 USD) |
| Social security contributions (health insurance + pension fund) | Approx. 2,000~20,000 JPY (12 ~ 125 USD) |
Note regarding social security contributions: You can apply for an exemption or reduction of contributions for both items. However, this is not automatic – the application must be actively submitted and renewed annually, ideally immediately after registering with the residents’ registration office.
Income from a part-time job:
Typical entry-level jobs pay just above the minimum wage. As of April 2026, the minimum wage in Tokyo is ¥1,226.
This number may look big or small to you, depending on your country of origin. Please understand that the cost of living is also different in Japan.
The minimum wage is subject to increase and is based on the location, so please click here for the latest information.
Please know that it is difficult to say when you can find a job (it may even take a few months), so having enough savings is important.
We provide tips on job-finding and working in Japan, in our Working Holiday starter package. See the bottom of the page for further information.
We recommend starting the process as soon as possible, to receive personalised advice on your current sitution.
Hundreds of travelers can’t be wrong.
ENJ gets you to Japan – personally guided, beyond the tourist trail.
Be the next!