| Japanese (日本語)

Working Holiday Visa

General Background

For the purpose of promoting greater mutual understanding between Japan and Australia, the governments of these two countries agreed in 1980 to start a Working-Holiday scheme to encourage the exchange of young people. This scheme makes it possible for citizens of one country to enter the other primarily for a holiday over an extended period and to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their trip in order to supplement their travel funds.

With this visa, Australian citizens need not obtain further permission to engage in remunerative activities while in Japan, provided these activities do not contravene Japanese law regulating businesses offering food and entertainment as well as any other regulations in force which affect public order and good morals.

The Working-Holiday visa will be issued only once to the same Australian citizen. The Government of Japan will issue, on a reciprocal basis and free of charge, a Working Holiday visa to applicants who satisfy all of the following prerequisites.

The Working Holiday visa is not appropriate for those wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment or to enrol in academic institutions.

Applicant Prerequisites

Each applicant for a Working Holiday Visa:

  1. Must be an Australian citizen currently residing in Australia (accordingly, Australians travelling or living abroad are not eligible);
  2. Must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific period of time;
  3. Must be between 18 and 30 years of age inclusive at the time of application;
  4. Must possess a valid Australian passport and either a travel ticket to and from Japan or a confirmed reservation to and from Japan;
  5. Must possess reasonable funds for their maintenance, including medical expenses, during the period of initial stay in Japan (for a single applicant the minimum is A$2,500 and for a couple A$3,500);
  6. Must be of good health and character.

Support Organisations

The Japan Association for Working-Holiday Makers is a non-profit organisation, established under the authorisation of the Labour Minister. This Association is the only organisation in Japan that provides assistance for the Working-Holiday Program. The following organisations will provide appropriate counselling services to Australians citizens who have entered Japan on a Working-Holiday visa.

Consulting the Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers is recommended for Australians seeking working holidays in Japan. Working holiday seekers can become members by contacting one of the Association offices.

After becoming a member, the Association provides free job refferal services, accommodation information, and opportunities for counseling. These services are only available to members of the organisation.

For More information of JAWHM, please click
http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/index.html

Japan Association for Working Holiday Makers

Ichigaya KT Building 1, 5th Floor
4-7-16, Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074
Tel: 03-3265-3321
Fax: 03-3265-3325

Osaka Branch
L. OSAKA 4th Floor, 3-14 Kitahamahigashi,
Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 540-0031
Tel: 06-6946-7010
Fax: 06-6945-7021

Fukuoka
Momochi Palace 4th Floor Culture Centre,
2-3-15 Momochi, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka-shi,
Fukuoka 814-0006
Tel: 090-3546-3972
Fax: 090-851-1028

Application Procedure for a Working Holiday Visa

Those wishing to apply for a Working Holiday visa are required to submit, along with a valid Australian passport, one copy each of the following documents to the appropriate diplomatic or consular mission of the Government of Japan in Australia. Statements made in these documents must be true and accurate. A false declaration may result in the visa being refused or permission to stay in Japan being cancelled.

  1. One completed visa application form;
  2. One photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm in size;
  3. A personal history, resume or curriculum vitae typed on A4 paper;
  4. A proposed itinerary for the first six months in Japan, including details of prearranged employment;
  5. A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday visa typed on A4 paper;
  6. Appropriate evidence of either a travel ticket to and from Japan or a confirmed reservation to and from Japan along with appropriate evidence, such as a copy of a bank statement, that the applicant possesses the minimum amount of A$2,500 for a single applicant who has a travel ticket or a receipt showing payment for the ticket or A$4,000 for a single applicant who has only a confirmed reservation. In the case of a couple, the minimum amounts are A$3,500 and A$6,500 respectively. Traveller's cheques are acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds.

Explanatory Material

Such material and appropriate forms are available at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan in Canberra and the Consulates-General of Japan in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Applicants should be aware that they may submit an application only at the Japanese diplomatic or consular mission responsible for the Australian State of which they are a resident. Applications are made in person and the applicant may be interviewed. The processing time may vary with the diplomatic mission at which the application is submitted.

Other Information

  1. Alien Registration - Working Holiday visa holders are required to apply for alien registration at the nearest local government office within 90 days of arrival.
  2. Life and Health Insurance: Working Holiday visa holders are advised to make arrangements to see that they are fully insured for all medical expenses that may be incurred in connection with illness, injury, or accident during their stay in Japan.
  3. Ability to Speak Japanese: - Ability to speak Japanese to some degree is desirable but not required.
  4. Applicants must enter Japan within three months after the date of issue of the visa.
  5. A period of stay of up to six months will be initially granted at the port of entry. This may be extended up to another six months by the Immigration Authorities in Japan.
  6. Working-Holiday visas are single entry. Therefore, if the Working-Holiday maker has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return, it is essential that the person obtain a re-entry permit from the Immigration Authorities before leaving Japan.
  7. Within 90 days of arrival in Japan, Working-Holiday makers must apply for alien registration at the Local Government Office near to where they are staying.
  8. You should ask for a statement of earnings in English while in Japan and call the Australian Taxation Office for the appropriate information upon your return to Australia.