Australia working holiday visa for Japanese citizens

This page is for Japanese citizens who want to know about Australia’s Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). The program allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months. To be eligible, you must be between 18 and 30 years old. You must apply before midnight Australian Eastern time on the day before your 31st birthday. The visa is for a first working holiday in Australia; you must not have previously entered on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.

The application fee for a first visa is AUD840.00. You will also need to have sufficient funds for your stay, which is stated as about AUD5,000 plus the cost of your fare to leave Australia. While in the country, you can work to supplement your funds, usually for no more than 6 months with a single employer. You can also study for up to 4 months. You must apply for and be granted the visa while you are outside Australia.

Passport

Japan

Age range

18 to 30

Stay

Up to 12 months

Fee

AUD840.00 (first visa)

Funds

About AUD5,000 plus your fare out

Conditions for Japanese citizens

• No extra country-specific conditions are listed on the official page beyond the general rules below.

General rules of the program

• Up to 12 months from first entry; you must enter within 12 months of the grant date.
• Short-term work to help pay for the holiday; usually no more than 6 months with the same employer.
• Study for up to 4 months (17 weeks).
• Usually about AUD5,000 for the initial stay, plus the fare to leave Australia.
• Apply online from outside Australia; you must also be outside Australia when the visa is decided.
• You cannot include family members, and dependent children cannot accompany you.
• You must not have entered Australia before on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.
• 3 months of specified work can make you eligible for a second Working Holiday visa.
• Apply before midnight Australian Eastern time on the day before your 31st (or 36th) birthday.
• Home Affairs says the average processing time is expected to be around three months and advises against booking travel before the grant.

What stands out

The main conditions for this visa are standard for working holiday programs. However, note the specific application timing: you must apply before your 31st birthday according to Australian Eastern time. The Australian government advises that the average processing time is expected to be around three months and recommends not booking travel before the visa is granted. A key feature is the option to become eligible for a second Working Holiday visa by completing 3 months of specified work during your first stay.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that your passport is on the list for this subclass and that you are within the age limit on the day you lodge.
2. Gather your passport pages, birth certificate, proof of funds and the other documents Home Affairs lists.
3. Apply online through ImmiAccount from outside Australia and pay the visa application charge.
4. Wait for the decision outside Australia; Home Affairs advises not to book travel until the visa is granted.
5. Enter Australia within 12 months of the grant.

Other programs open to Japanese citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for Japanese citizens.

All passports for this program: Australia working holiday visas: subclass 417 and 462.