Coming to Japan on a Working Holiday! From visas and contact information to finding a room

If you are interested in visiting Japan, but would like to work in Japan for a short period of time, rather than the more usual sightseeing or long-term employment, the “working holiday” system is perfect for you.

It is a system that allows people to travel to and enter another country for vacation purposes, while working short-term in order to earn money for their stay, based on an agreement between two countries.

Main Points:

・About the working holiday system

・Differences between a Working Holiday Visa and a Student Visa

・How to find a room for a short term stay in Japan

What is a Working Holiday?

In Japan’s case, there are agreements made with 26 countries and regions.

However, there are age limitation; in the case of Australia, Canada, and South Korea, the applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 25 (or up to 30 if approved by the respective government authorities); in the case of Iceland, the applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 26; and in other countries, the applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 30. 

Conditions other than age are as follows:

• ・You must be a citizen or resident of the other country or region.
• ・Your primary purpose for travel must be leisure.
• ・You must not be accompanied by a child or spouse.
• ・You must have a valid passport and a return ticket (or available funds to purchase a return ticket).
• ・You must have enough money to live on at the beginning of your stay.
• ・You must be in good health.
• ・You must not have been approved for a working holiday visa before.

>>Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Working Holiday System (English)

>>Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Working Holiday System (Japanese)

Inquiries about Working Holiday

Contact information

In the case of Taiwan, please contact the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association.

>>the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association (Japanese, Chinese, English)

For other countries and regions, contact the Embassy of Japan.

>>Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions (English)

>>Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions (Japanese)

You will also need to apply for a working holiday visa through the above organizations.

Using a Visa Application Agency

For foreigners who wish to come to Japan on a working holiday, there are “Visa application agencies” that offer visa application services on behalf of their clients, so one option is to consult with them.

In Japan, there are also immigration lawyers, known as administrative scriveners or(GYOUSEISHOSI) who can handle visa application procedures on your behalf.

Some offices can provide services in English, Chinese, Korean and other languages, so if you are looking for a visa application service, a search for “行政書士,”(GYOUSEISHOSI)or “administrative scriveners” will bring up many results.

What is the difference between a working holiday visa and a student visa?

Working Holiday Visa

Unlike a tourist visa, a working holiday visa allows you to work in order to fund your trip, even though it is your stay is only short-term. This visa is for people who plan to stay in Japan for a maximum of one year, for leisure and tourism purposes.

However, if you decide you want to stay and work longer while on a working holiday in Japan, you can extend your stay by applying for a “change of status.” This will require you to apply for a work visa . Please note that this process can take from two weeks to two to three months.

Income Tax for Working Holiday Visas

If you earn income in Japan on a working holiday visa, the income tax rate is generally 20.4%.

Student Visa

A student visa allows you to stay in Japan for studies until you graduate from the school you are studying at. If you wish to study in Japan for more than one year, an international student visa is recommended. You can also extend your period of stay by applying for permission at a local immigration office. Applications are usually accepted about three months before the expiration date of your current visa. If you wish to start/continue working in Japan after graduation, you will need to apply for a work visa at the immigration bureau.

It is also possible to work part-time on a student visa, though with some restrictions, by applying for a “Permission to Engage in Activities Other Than Those Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.”

Short-term studies on a working holiday visa

A working holiday visa allows you to study in the same way as an international student visa. Of course, you can come to Japan on a student visa, but if you want to learn about Japanese language and culture for only a short period of time, a working holiday visa is a suitable choice.

Finding accommodation during your stay in Japan

If you are coming to Japan on a working holiday visa, you will most likely be staying for only a short period of time. Many people in this situation look for a room share, shared house, or “monthly mansions” – apartments with short-term rental contracts. 

Generally, rental houses in Japan do not come furnished, but many share houses and short-term apartments come with furniture and home appliances. In addition to furniture and home appliances, it is also important to note that the initial cost of a rental contract can often be reduced.

Please note; if you are coming to Japan as an international student, not on a working holiday, we recommend that you investigate not only short-term accommodation but also more general rented accommodation.

JAPANBOX wishes you a wonderful time in Japan, regardless of your visa status.

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