What the working holiday visa is, how it works, the rules and regs.

It basically began with the Japanese Government agreements with Australia in 1980, New Zealand in 1985, and Canada in 1986. Agreements between Japan, France and Korea saw the program extended in 1999. New agreements have since extended the working holiday to citizens of Germany and the UK. The programs aim to "promote greater understanding between Japan and the other five countries and to broaden the international outlook" of young people.

Using the visa, young citizens of the countries listed above can enter Japan, and vice versa, for an extended holiday while engaging in part-time or full-time work to supplement their travel funds.

FEATURES: The Working Holiday visa is a special visa for young people that has the following features.

(1) Limits on Issue: Officially, a Working Holiday visa will be issued only to someone who has never obtained one before. Unofficially, it appears that there are occasional exceptions.
(2) Period of Stay: An initial stay of up to six months is granted. This may be extended up to another six months by the immigration authorities. Details are available from the Immigration Bureau. Australians can usually receive 2 extensions.
(3) Re-entry Permits: The Working Holiday visa is a single-entry visa. In other words, if you have to leave Japan temporarily or want to go on a short overseas holiday then it is necessary to obtain a re-entry permit from the immigration authorities before leaving Japan. If you don't obtain the re-entry permit then you can't get back in regardless of the expiry date stamped on your passport. This exit and re-entry does not extend the allowed period of stay. In other words if your period of stay is until the 19^th of October, and you take a quick trip to Shanghai or wherever for 8 days, then when you return the 19^th is still the expiry date. There is no 8 day extension.
(4) Remunerative Activities: Working Holiday visa holders can engage in almost any kind of job, part-time or full-time. (Though when you renew your visa it's a good idea to write down in as much detail as you can all of your holiday activities/ travel etc because your stay is supposed to be primarily a holiday in Japan). Most working holiday makers find it reasonably easy to obtain employment either in the tourism/hospitality industry (ski resorts seem to be awash with working holidayers at times) or using their English language skills. You may not however legally work in businesses that come under the 'Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Business'. In other words cabarets, nightclubs, dance halls, bars that require staff to entertain customers and eat and drink with them, pachinko parlors, mahjong parlors, game centers, private-room bathhouses ('soaplands'), strip clubs, peep shows, love hotels, pornographic bookstores, private room massage parlors. (You can visit them as a customer of course, it is just that you can't legally work in one of them.) These establishments are also often raided by immigration (accompanied by their journalistic friends) who conduct regular sweeps in search of illegal workers - usually illegal immigrants who have overstayed their tourist visa. If caught working in one you will be arrested, unceremoniously deported and have a hard time in the future if you need/want to visit Japan again.
(5) Validity of Visa: Visa recipients must enter Japan within six months after the date of issue.
(6) Visa Fees: There is no charge for a Working Holiday visa.

CONDITIONS: The conditions of the Working Holiday Programme.

Officially the applicant's primary aim should be to holiday in Japan. The program is not designed for persons who intend to spend all of their stay in Japan working or studying (in which case you are supposed to seek a work or student visa).

The following requirements have to be satisfied.

(1) Nationality: You must be a citizen of Australia, Canada, France, Korea or New Zealand currently residing in your country of citizenship. You have 6 months to use the visa after it is issued. So if you are planning to go to Japan after a trip elsewhere arrange the visa first.
(2) Holiday/Travel: You must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific length of time.
(3) Age: You must be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application.
(4) Passport/Tickets: You must possess a valid passport and a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
(5) Adequate Funds: You must possess reasonable funds for living expenses, including medical expenses, during the period of the initial stay in Japan. For a single person, the minimum is US$2000, for a married couple, US$3000 or equivalent amount of the national currency. It is a good idea to have a fair bit more.
(6) Health & Track Record: You must be in good health and not have a criminal record.

The documents required for application include the following.

(1) Application form in duplicate.
(2) Two identical photographs (45mm x 45mm), to be glued to the application form.
(3) Resume/Curriculum vitae in duplicate on A4 paper, including educational background, work experience, hobbies, and other relevant information.
(4) Outline of planned activities in Japan, in duplicate.
(5) Statement of the reason for applying for Working Holiday visa in duplicate on A4 paper.
(6) Proof of adequate travel funds (a return ticket, proof of possession of a bank account, traveller's cheques, etc.).
(7) Proof of sufficient funds to support the initial stay in Japan: At least US$2000 for a single person, US$3000 for a married couple. (Again it is a good idea to have a fair bit more.)

The applicant must apply for a visa in person. Applications submitted by agents or group will not be accepted.

(1) All application documents must be submitted to the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan in the applicant's country of residence.
(2) The application must be made at least three weeks before the anticipated departure date. Applications submitted on short notice will not be accepted. Avoid the worry and apply earlier.
(3) Some alternative and/or additional documents may be required. Particulars can be obtained from the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.
(4) An interview with the visa officer by appointment may be required.
(5) Further information on visa application procedures can be obtained from Embassies or Consulates-General of Japan.

(1) Alien Registration: Yes all foreigners are required to register as aliens within 90 days of arrival in Japan. Also you then have to carry your 'certificate of Alien Registration' card with you at all times. It's the law. Working Holiday visa holders are not exempted. To register you head to your nearest local government office. It is often a good idea to do this early rather than wait. You may find yourself travelling or without an official address at the 90 day mark and be introduced to a lot of bureaucracy you could have easily avoided.
(2) Life and Health Insurance: Medical care in Japan is expensive if you are not insured. Make sure before you leave that you are fully insured for all medical expenses that may be incurred in connection with illness, injury, or accident during your stay.
(3) Ability to Speak Japanese: An ability to speak some Japanese to some degree is considered desirable, though for the moment at least it isn't a requirement. If your Japanese is poor or non-existent that's another good reason to consider starting with a short at-cost course in Yamasa. Language skills open doors.

Q - I'm a Singaporean, single and 38 years of age. I have visited your website and am aware that neither my age nor nationality meets the requirements. However does the Institute make exception on a case-to-case basis?
Merleen Lee, Singapore

A - Unfortunately it is not possible. The requirements for the visa are not set by the Institute - all visa requirements are solely the responsibility of the Immigration Bureau of the Japanese Government's Ministry of Justice. Until there is a reciprocal working holiday agreement made between Japan and Singapore, it simply isn't possible to apply for that particular visa.