Working Holiday Visa
Background
The governments of both Japan and the United Kingdom are committed to cultivating a closer bilateral relationship between their citizens and promoting mutual understanding between the two countries. In 2001, Japan introduced the "Working Holiday Scheme" for British citizens, while the UK started the "Japan: Youth Exchange Scheme" for Japanese citizens, both of which have provided increased opportunities for young people to experience the culture and general way of life in the other country.
In October 2008, the government of the United Kingdom announced that it would introduce a new scheme for young people, the "Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)", which would replace the UK's existing schemes for young people, including the "Japan: Youth Exchange Scheme". Following consultations between the two governments, it was arranged that Japan would be one of the first four participating countries in the YMS from its launch on 27 November, 2008. Although this new development does not affect the basic structure (as described in the previous paragraph) of Japan's Working Holiday Scheme, the government of Japan is pleased to announce that, from the same date as the launch of the YMS, a wider range of British citizens have become eligible for the Working Holiday Scheme as indicated above.
In November 2023, the two governments agreed to increase the number of UK nationals (visa quota) eligible to use the Working Holiday Programme from 1,000 to 6,000 annually from 1 April, 2024. (Note: The number of Japanese nationals (visa quota) eligible to use the UK's YMS has been increased from 1,500 to 6,000 annually, effective January 31, 2024.)
As of the 1st December 2024, individuals who make their applications after this date are permitted to participate in the Working Holiday Scheme a maximum of two times. This means the Working Holiday visa may be acquired twice, either through participation on two separate occasions, or consecutively, where an individual continues into their second year on the Working Holiday Scheme.
Applicant Prerequisites
The applicant must:
- be a British citizen resident in the United Kingdom
- intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a period of up to one year from the date of entry
- be aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years both inclusive at the time of application for the said visa
- be unaccompanied by children
- be unaccompanied by spouses unless those spouses are in possession of the said visa or otherwise
- possess a valid passport and a return/onward travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket
- possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period of initial stay in Japan
- intend to leave Japan at the end of their stay
- have not previously applied for and been issued a Working Holiday Visa two times, and have not already extended their residence status for another year while residing in Japan on their first year on the programme.
- be in good health
Visa Section, Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh
Address: 2 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7HW
Tel: 0131 225 4777 (Please listen to the automated English guidance and then select option 1)
Email: visa@ed.mofa.go.jp
Documents to be Submitted
- Valid British passport
- One completed visa application form
- One passport-sized photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm in size (taken within 6 months)
- Curriculum vitae typed on A4 paper
- A proposed itinerary for the whole stay in Japan (up to 12 months), including details of prearranged employment, if any
- A written reason for applying for a Working Holiday Visa typed on A4 paper
- Either £2,500 in cleared funds (last 3 months bank statements must be shown), or £1,500 and a return/onward journey ticket or a receipt for such.
*In the case of a married couple applying jointly for two Working Holiday visas, the minimum amounts are £4,500 and £2,500 respectively.
In some cases, additional documents may be required.
Please see our visa General Information for application procedures.
Other information
- It is recommended that insurance coverage be arranged before leaving the United Kingdom, as under the conditions of employment for the Working Holiday Visa the period of employment is usually not long enough to qualify for coverage provided by employers or companies.
- Applicants will not be able to engage in activities which are considered to go against policies of the Working Holiday schemes, such as working at businesses which may affect public morals.
- Within 14 days of moving into an address in Japan, Working Holiday participants must apply for Resident Registration at a local government office near their residency (further details
). - Job Centers (Hello Work), and the Employment Service Centers for Foreigners in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya provide assistance to job-seekers in Japan. The above Employment Service Centers for Foreigners and some Job Centers are able to provide assistance in English.
- Please see the following link for further details: Employment Policy for Foreign Workers (※Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare)
- Working Holiday Visas are for single entry. However, if the Working Holiday participant has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return to Japan within their original one-year period of stay, they can depart from Japan with a Special Re-entry Permit
- Please see the following link for further details: Application for re-entry premission (※Immigration Services Agency).