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.
Please note it is for a limited list of countries and ages, see below:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html
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Who is it suitable for?
Which nationalities are entitled to submit applications?
There is a list of specific countries eligible.
See below for the latest information from the government:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html
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:
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 the 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.
Send us a free inquiry, and we will match you to the right language school that suits your individual needs, as well as inform you of the necessary requirements in detail.
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!
(Employment in industries such as nightlife, gambling, love hotels or the other industries affecting public morals is strictly prohibited.)
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.
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.
The requirements may depend on the country.
The application for the visa must be made to the Japan Embassy or Consulate-General in your country.
Please see below and find the links to Visa -> Working Holiday Visa.
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan website:
“Please beware of fraudulent entities that allege to offer help in obtaining working holiday visas as there is no organization, including incorporated associations, in Japan with which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperates in operating the working holiday programmes.”
Please note that we do not claim to help in obtaining the visa. We can provide personalised support in the overall process, including helping find the right language course and accommodation and tips on job-finding, to make the process simpler for you.
In our starter package, we even give guidance on registering your address at the town/city hall. See the bottom of the page for further information.
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.
Do you have any suggestions for the guide, or have you even had your own experiences with a working holiday visa in Japan? Leave a comment – we look forward to hearing from you!
We are creating an e-book, covering:
– Time-frame
– Tips on applying
– Specific websites for each country
– Mistakes to avoid
– Suggested itinerary
– Preparation checklist
– Tips on cultural insights & manners
– Tips for flying & step-by-step airport guidance
– Guide on your first hours in Japan
– How to get a travel card
– How to register your address in Japan
– Guidance on going to the town hall
– Step by step guidance on signing up to mandatory health insurance in Japan
– How to open a bank account in Japan
– Practical guide on sending mail overseas
– What to do when you change your address in Japan
– How to sign up to mail forwarding
– Tips on sending luggage to your next accommodation
– Recommended places to avoid tourist traps
– Tips on finding work in Japan
– Free application support to language schools in Japan
– Introduction to accommodation providers with English assistance, actively wanting international people to stay.
Contact us here to receive further information.