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Path context

Visa / work rights

Use visa information to verify whether a career path is workable for you. Visa and work rights stay separate from the public CampCareer Score.

6 verified routes

Working holidayWorking holiday

Working Holiday

Japan

Official source
Processing time

The responsible Japanese embassy or consulate publishes local appointment and processing arrangements; uncomplicated visa applications are generally processed under the normal consular timetable

Success rate

Not published

Duration

Normally up to 1 year per participation, subject to nationality-specific bilateral rules and repeat-participation arrangements

Requirements

6 items
  • Nationality or eligible regional passport covered by Japan's working-holiday programme; Japan listed 32 partner countries and regions as of 1 April 2026
  • Usually age 18–30 at application, with Australia, Canada, South Korea and Ireland generally using 18–25 unless the bilateral authorities extend eligibility to 30
  • Holiday and cultural experience remain the primary purpose, with employment only incidental to supplement travel funds
  • Apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's country or region while meeting the local residence rule
  • Valid passport, return ticket or funds for one, initial maintenance funds and good health, without accompanying dependants or children
  • Do not work in bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments or other prohibited public-morals businesses; repeat participation is available only for nationalities covered by current exceptions

Process overview

Total: The responsible Japanese embassy or consulate publishes local appointment and processing arrangements; uncomplicated visa applications are generally processed under the normal consular timetable
  1. 1

    Confirm the correct status

    Before applying

    Use the linked Immigration Services Agency or Ministry of Foreign Affairs page and check the exact activity, nationality and institution or employer conditions.

  2. 2

    Prepare the supporting basis

    Preparation stage

    Obtain the admission, graduation, school recommendation, employment contract, field-test, internship agreement or working-holiday evidence required for the route.

  3. 3

    Complete the immigration application

    Application stage

    For a new long-term entry, a sponsor in Japan commonly applies for a Certificate of Eligibility before the applicant files for a visa at the responsible Japanese mission. In-country applicants use the relevant status-change or extension procedure.

  4. 4

    Finish entry and residence steps

    The responsible Japanese embassy or consulate publishes local appointment and processing arrangements; uncomplicated visa applications are generally processed under the normal consular timetable

    After approval, complete visa issuance, entry, residence-card, address-registration and any activity-outside-status permission that applies.

Cost breakdown

  • Single-entry visa issuance fee, approximately, if applicableOptional¥15,000
Total listed cost¥15,000

Some working-holiday nationalities or purposes may be fee-exempt or charged differently, so the optional general single-entry amount is not a guaranteed applicant fee. Government fees, exemptions and local-currency collection can differ by nationality, application date and diplomatic mission; confirm the current amount before applying.

Top cities

TokyoOsakaFukuoka